Vinales, Oliveira, Rins, Marquez and Herrera ready for new season in Moto3 and Spanish championship

The Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid was packed with 9,000 fans this Saturday, as they enjoyed the Repsol Team 2012 presentation. Repsol Moto3 talents Maverick Viñales, Alex Rins & Miguel Oliveira took part in the event, which featured music, a light show and magic. The presentation concluded with the surprise appearance of reigning World Champion Stoner onboard the new Honda RC213V.

Repsol has serious aspirations of titles in each of the categories and championships in which they are present. That is why they have the best riders at their disposal: Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa (MotoGP), Marc Márquez (Moto2), Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira, Álex Rins (Moto3), Álex Márquez, María Herrera, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri (Campeonato de España de Velocidad), Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami (Trial).

Fans at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid could hear the riders’ opinions first-hand, as the three title winners Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Márquez took to the stage alongside the most promising young talents: Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira and Álex Rins. The group posed together for the first time, ahead of the first race of the season in Qatar on April 8th. Future stars Álex Márquez and María Herrera will be riding for Repsol in the CEV Spanish Moto3 series.

Repsol has been present in the world of sports sponsorship since 1969. For over 40 years, the energy company has been one of the reference points of the highest level of competition, becoming a symbol of innovation, technology and excellence in fuel supply for the most demanding disciplines in addition to an academy for exceptional riders.

Miguel Oliveira: “It has been a perfect day. The presentation was spectacular and the fans gave us a great reception. It is an honour to be one of the Repsol riders for this season. I enjoyed this a lot, because I could meet riders whom I had only seen on television before. I was even able to speak with the current MotoGP World Champion, Casey Stoner! Repsol has made us feel like a family and this has united us. I think that having good relationships in such a competitive world is a good thing. You can feel their support and this is very important”.

Álex Rins: “This presentation has been very fun. I enjoyed myself tremendously. I was able to share some great moments with World Championship riders, CEV competitors and those from Trial. I am itching to get on track in Qatar for the first race of the season. I missed the first two official tests, but thanks to the medical team I have almost completely recovered. I now have complete mobility of my arm and am just lacking a little strength. I am really excited about the start of the season”.

Maverick Viñales: “It was a very nice new experience for me. I hadn’t been here before. To be able to stand alongside riders such as Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Marc Márquez is a real pleasure. It is great to begin to do things with them and I thank Repsol for all their support”.

Álex Márquez: “The presentation of the Repsol Team 2012 has been really fun and I really enjoyed myself here. I was able to rub shoulders with all the World Championship riders: Pedrosa, Stoner, my brother and the others. I really appreciate Repsol’s support for all the riders –above all for me. I am very motivated for the start of this season. I have already tried the Moto3 at the IRTA test and in private tests and I feel very comfortable on the bike. Now we just have Jerez to go in order to be ready to win the first race and push forward in the championship”.

María Herrera: “I really didn’t expect a presentation like this. I had a really great time and it was a treat to share the stage with Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. I have to thank Repsol for giving me the possibility of being alongside these great riders and learning from them. Regarding the championship, I think that I have a chance. I have a great team behind me and the new bike is very fun to ride. I think I will be very comfortable with it”.

Source: Repsol Media