A new look Austrian Grand Prix

SPIELBERG, Austria: After a three week summer break the MotoGp returns to action to an unfamiliar location, Austria, which hasn't hosted a motorbike grand prix for the last eighteen years.
The new Red Bull Ring in Spielberg promises some explosive excitement, the track described as "breathtakingly fast" by MotoGp commentator Matt Birt. The new track will guarantee mistakes and turnarounds Birt saying "It is a layout where braking stability, top speed and low gear acceleration are the key to a fast lap time."
The riders are also looking forward to getting out on the Red Bull Ring and had a chance to test the track during two private sessions at the end of July.
Overall leader Marc Marquez is one of the favourites to win this first race in Spielberg but the Spaniard is wary of the novelty course.
"You approach the race in a different manner on a new course because you need to adapt yourself as fast as possible" said Marquez.
"Some sections remind me of Austin. You need to break really hard to slow the bike down and then turn quickly. Then we have the last segment of the race which is really, really, fast. I think this is a fantastic venue for MotoGp, I'm impatient to get out there." said the Honda pilot who has a 48 point advantage over his fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo.
The Yamaha rider and defending champion admitted the "situation is tricky because Marc has such a big lead, but I'm going to do my best and fight to the end to reduce that gap."
Rossi aims for the podium
Italian superstar Valentino Rossi, currently third in the championship, 59 points behind Marquez, is the only rider to have already raced in Spielberg back in 1996, although on a very different track layout.
Rossi was fast during the testing, and has expressed his desire have a rapid start to the second half of the season. This is a particularly special place for the Italian who raced to the first podium of his career here in Austria in 1996 before going on to win the championship nine times.
The 37-year-old said it was urgent to close the gap on Marquez but that the track didn't really suit the Movistar Yamaha rider's style.
"The two straight stretches are very long which doesn't help us, but we will have the opportunity to get to grips with them during the weekend." said Rossi.
Spotlight on Ducati
Another team looking to start the second half of the season in top gear is Ducati. The Bologna outfit haven't won a GP since 2010, when Casey Stoner stormed to victory at Philip Island.
Some 2128 days later Ducati have a real chance to end a 100 race winless streak. Their bike dominated the Red Bull Ring tests with Ducati occupying seven of the top eight places. A chance for Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone to put an end to Ducati's troubles. — AFP