TNT Sports’ expert team of MotoGP pundits have given their thoughts on what makes Silverstone and the British Grand Prix so special ahead of the iconic race this weekend.
Silverstone marks the return of MotoGP after the mid-season break and the action will resume with a bang on one of the most exciting tracks on the calendar.
Ahead of the race, the punditry team at TNT Sports explained what makes it so special.
“This year’s race at Silverstone is a must-watch,” said Neil Hodgson. “You’re going to see in the lower classes, British riders fighting for the wins. Sam Lowes has got a chance of winning, so does Jake Dixon.
“And then in MotoGP you’re going to see the best riders in the world on a big wide open track on the fastest flowing corners of Silverstone.
“The racing is always close, the action is second to none. Don’t miss it.”
Natalie Quirk added: “It’s really important that we’ve got a British Grand Prix on the calendar because fans in the UK are just fanatical about their motorsport and motorcycle racing and they’ve been coming out in their numbers over the past four decades to watch the best riders in the world.
“It’s the only race that we’ve got in the UK and Silverstone offers something different to any of the other circuits that we go to on the calendar so we’re looking forward to it and we hope we’ll see lots of you there too.”
Gavin Emmett believes that because this race is the first one back after the break it will be extra special, as it will go a long way to setting the tone for the rest of the season.
“So Silverstone this year comes after a six-week break in the championship and it will set the tone for the remainder of the season,” said Emmett.
“Everyone will have had time off and they’ll want to get right back on it at one of the fastest race circuits on the whole of the MotoGP calendar. It’s the longest race track there is, it’s a real challenge and the riders love it as well. So the British Grand Prix this year is particularly special.”
Michael Laverty was hoping that the weather will add to the spectacle.
“The British GP is a historical event, it used to be at Donington Park now it’s at Silverstone, arguably one of the best tracks in the world. Hopefully we’ll have some sunshine at home in the UK, treating ourselves to watching the best riders on the best bikes in the world.”
‘The highlight for me this year…’
The group were also asked for their favourite moment of the season so far.
Laverty and Suzi Perry both picked the Sprint Races, a new format for the MotoGP grid this season.
“The best moment of the season so far was maybe the second Sprint race,” Laverty said. “I loved seeing the inaugural Sprint race in Portimao and the scrappiness of it but then Argentina was just absolute mayhem and I loved the aggressive nature of all the young riders going for it and figuring out how to attack a sprint race so I thought that was quite a spectacle.”
Perry added: “I have absolutely loved the Sprint so Brad Binder, from 15th to first [in Argentina] has been an absolute highlight for me.”
Hodgson admitted that the Sprint Races are cool but he was blown away by one crowd in particular.
“The highlight for me this year… you think I’m going to say the Sprint races but, no, I’m going to say the crowds. We had a record crowd at Le Mans, 278,000 people turned up over the weekend, can you believe that?”
Quirk went for Lowes rolling back the years at Jerez.
“If I had to pick one it would be Round 4 at Jerez and watching Sam Lowes stand on top step once again. We know the quality of Sam Lowes and how good he is, but he had such a tough year last year so to see him get pole position, to get the fastest lap and to win another Grand Prix was just brilliant to watch.”
Meanwhile, Emmett picked one of the iconic moments of the season that happened in Portimao.
“My moment of 2023 so far has to be Race 1, Portimao, Marc Marquez and his collision with Miguel Oliveira.”
What was your favourite moment of the season? Vote in the poll below and let us know on Twitter
What has been your favourite moment of the 2023 MotoGP season so far?
Sprint RacesMarquez and Oliveira incidentThe crowd at Le MansOther
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