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A Conversation With ... Marc Marquez, Pol Espargaro, Esteve Rabat

 

 
            Q: So the podium finishes then in the Moto2 race here at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix: In third place today, Tito Rabat, second place Pol Espargaro, and our race winner Marc Marquez, who cuts down the championship lead to Stefan Bradl to 28 points.
            We'll start with Marc, of course. Marc, five wins now for the season, a brilliant run since the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. How important is this one compared to other victories so far this year?
 
            MARC MARQUEZ: This victory is important because it was a so difficult race. From the beginning, we know it was good and in the qualifying practice we have a good pace for the race, but in the beginning I didn't want to push because I know that in the end the tire's coming down and I wait a little bit. But then when I saw Corsi start slide quite a lot, and I try to push some laps and I got to make some gap between the second rider. But in the end was so difficult to keep the concentration because, you know, when you are alone, it's so difficult. Sometimes your mind goes out to track, and this is maybe the most difficult. And especially here the tires in the last laps slide quite a lot and was difficult to keep the same line and keep the concentration. But now I'm happy. But tomorrow I change my mind and I want to think about Misano because I want to keep the same level and same concentration.
 
            Q: Well done, Marc. Congratulations.
            In second place, Pol Espargaro. Pol, after moving up from 125, it's been a really difficult year. How much does it mean to you to finally step onto a Moto2 podium?
 
            POL ESPARGARO: I'm here, but it's like an orgasm. (Laughter)
            I can't believe that. I want to say thanks to my team because they work the same or more than me. And for us it is so good for the mentality and for the feeling that we have now. We start the season so bad; we make some races good but always with the problems. This weekend it change a little bit. We start to take a little bit more of concentration or feeling with the motorbike with good feeling. Yesterday I was, with a good pass, lap by lap I was coming better with best feeling and finally the race, I make incredible start. I don't know how, but I will check it later because that is so important. I know now that if we make a good start, we can be there. So we work a little bit more to try to be there in Misano. I don't want to come back again and we must work too much to take more feelings, more concentration and to be, try to be with Marc in the next race.
 
            Q: Congratulations, Pol. Well done on that result today.
            In third place again, another first Moto2 podium for Tito Rabat. Congratulations, Tito. How much did you enjoy riding up at the front and challenging for the podium today?
 
            ESTEVE RABAT: Yeah, I'm very happy because today I enjoy the race; I make good start. At the beginning, I pass some riders better and I don't know, I enjoy to start to go in front. When I arrive, I pass I think Iannone or Corsi. I try to follow Marquez but it is impossible, he go. After 10 laps, bike start to slide in the front. Then in the middle of the corner, then I can make speed corner. I try to change my style and brake more late, stop the bike and then turn and go. Because if not, when I'm in the middle, close front direction. Then I don't know, at the end Pol go more fast than me past and I tried to follow. I follow, I push very hard. At the end, for me, it is great result. I am very happy. That's it.
 
            Q: Congratulations, Tito, on that first podium in Moto2. (Applause)
 
            Q: Well done. Do we have any questions at all for the riders?
            No? We'll let you go and speak to them anyway. Well done to all three of you today.
 
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