MotoGP, Marquez: "Unbeatable at the Sachsenring? They said that at Austin too"

If stats were enough to decide the outcome of a race, the MotoGP riders could just break early for summer and leave Marquez the win on the table. Marc has won at the Sachsenring for nine years without interruption, since he raced in 125. He's not put a foot wrong since 2010 and has left no room for his rivals in qualifying either, scoring 6 consecutive poles since arriving in MotoGP.

It all looks easy for the Spaniard who, after the Assen GP, now has a 44-point lead over Dovizioso to manage. The Sachsenring appears designed for him and the Honda, with its tight, left-hand turns, Marc's preferred direction.

And yet Marquez remains prudent, the result of a recent lesson learned.

“Everyone says I am the favourite because I won in the past few years, but this sport is unpredictable and everyone said the same in Austin and I crashed - comments Marc - Then we will start just thinking on the weekend as every race."

Recently, Marc has been proving that it's not just his right wrist that's quick, but also the cogs in his head.

“The first back to back race of the season, I am excited. We had a good weekend in Assen and I am motivated as we now arrive at one of my favourite tracks. Of course, past results don’t mean a lot once we start on Friday so we have to keep working hard with the Repsol Honda Team to stay in front."

Stefan Bradl replaces Jorge Lorenzo in Germany

The Honda garage sees the addition of Stefan Bradl this weekend, the rider stepping in to replace injured Jorge Lorenzo who fractured two vertebrae in his Assen crash. The German test rider already competed at the Sachsenring last year, when he stood in for Franco Morbidelli.

“I’m very excited to join the Repsol Honda Team in Germany - says Stefan - It’s a special race for me as my home race, obviously I am very sorry for Lorenzo and I wish him the fastest recovery possible and come back strong. I am glad to be able to help the team and HRC, let’s see what this weekend brings. We have been working well with Honda and I am grateful to them for this opportunity."