The Moto3 World Championship returns this weekend in Indianapolis with Jack Miller leading the overall standings. Karel Hanika debuts at the U.S. circuit, where he hopes for a good result to continue on from recent performances.

After the three-week summer break, Indianapolis will host the return of the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders and the rest of the Moto3 World Championship field. At the halfway point in the season, Jack Miller leads the overall standings by 19 points –and looks to extend his advantage in America. Karel Hanika, meanwhile, will try to continue his learning process at a circuit where he rides for the first time this weekend. The historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, built in 1909, this year features modifications to turns 3, 4, 7, 15 and 16, and a new asphalt.

The fourth win of the year for Jack Miller, at the Grand Prix of Germany, has motivated the Australian more than ever to start the second half of the season strong. The Moto3 World Championship leader has worked hard these past three weeks in order to try to maintain and increase his 19-point lead in the overall standings. The track Indianapolis is unlike any other, but Miller is a big fan of its layout. He DNFed in the race last year, after starting from the second row. Miller already has more points this year –142– than the total achieved in all his previous Grand Prix campaigns –127.

Teammate Karel Hanika, wants to return to points-scoring ways after excellent performances in Holland and Germany –where he had a leading role in the Top 10 before two unfortunate crashes. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie is again facing a completely unknown track, and a new step in his learning phase of the World Championship.

The first practice of the second half of the season will be held on Friday at 9:00am local time; qualification takes place on Saturday at 12:35pm and the race on Sunday at 11am.

Circuit information – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Length: 4.170 metres / 2.591 miles
Width: 16 metres
Left corners: 10
Right corners: 6
Longest straight: 872 m / 0.542 miles
Constructed: 1909
Modified: 2014

Jack Miller

“This three week break has felt long, although I have not stopped training because there is no time to relax. We must continue at the same level or better. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a good track and I personally like it very much. It’s a special track in many aspects, starting with the atmosphere, and this makes it unique. lt’s different from any other circuit on the calendar, and the track also gives it a different feel. In past years we’ve needed a completely different set-up, like we use in rainy conditions. I want to get there and play about a bit with the grip on the track with the KTM. We’ll see how it goes this year with the new asphalt. I can’t wait for Friday.”

Karel Hanika

“We start the second half of the championship with strange feelings, because despite good races at both Assen and Sachsenring, in the end we did not get the results we wanted. Nevertheless, I am calm, because we’re in very good shape. For much of the last three weeks I have been in Spain, training enduro, cycling and going to the gym.  I have also been away a bit, which is good and necessary. Though I have never ridden at Indianapolis, I hope to adapt quickly and achieve  a Top 10 finish; that will be the goal.”