Jorge Martin will be back in action this weekend after two races out and will join Tetsuta Nagashima at the Catalan Grand Prix.

The Moto2 World Championship continues with its busy 2020 schedule this week, reaching the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit for the ninth round of the season. Red Bull KTM Ajo will have their two regular riders back together at the Catalan Grand Prix, after Jorge Martin tested negative for COVID-19. Tetsuta Nagashima is motivated for a strong round, after a tough Sunday at Misano last time out.

Martin missed two Grand Prix for health reasons, but has now successfully passed the protocols set out by the health authorities and the series organisers. The Spaniard faces the Catalan round fully recovered and eager to get back to work with his crew. In addition, the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is a favourable track for him and in 2017 he took to the podium there with a third position after starting from pole. Martin is currently fifth in the overall standings, with 79 points.

Last weekend, Nagashima completed a tough race, finishing in 23rd position after suffering a crash in the morning warm-up. The Japanese is already preparing to return to full fitness at a circuit where he has extensive experience as a World Championship rider, as well as in the FIM CEV. He is in sixth place in the Moto2 series with 68 points.

The 22-lap Catalan Grand Prix will take place on Sunday at 1:20 pm local time. Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 have previously been on the podium at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit through Miguel Oliveira, third in 2017 and second in 2018.

Circuit information – Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit
Length: 4.627 m / 2.875 miles
Width: 12 m / 39.37 ft.
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 1.047 m / 0,650 miles
Constructed: 1991

88 JORGE MARTIN

“I’m very happy to be back again, as it was a few tough weeks for me. I am eager to get back on the bike; having to watch the races from home was difficult. Now our objective will be different; we have to try to win as many races as possible. When we have completed a few Grands Prix, we’ll see where we really are – and if we have a chance to fight for the title.
I like the track at Barcelona. I am competitive there and I have obtained good results there in the past. I can’t wait for tomorrow, to start working and to do my best.”

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“We had a tough race last weekend, but our overall assessment of the Grand Prix is positive, since during the different sessions we showed our pace and felt well. For Barcelona, my goal is again to be up at the front and get a good result; for this to happen, we will work hard from the first practice. This is not one of my favourite tracks but I know it well, so we can do a great job here. This will be the last of three consecutive contests, which is not difficult physically but does pose a mental challenge. However, we are ready to face this latest round, in which we will do our best like always.”