We're just past the halfway mark in the 2011 MotoGP season, and at the moment, three of the top four spots are occupied by the Repsol Honda team. Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, and Andrea Dovizioso, have combined for 7 wins and 18 podiums so far this season.
Casey Stoner is at the top of the standings at the moment, with 20 points over 2010 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo. Stoner has finished on the podium at every race but one so far this season, and has won 50% of the races in 2011.
"I think that without the problem of the second race, we would have been in the podium in all races this season, which I believe is something very special," Stoner said. "I am very happy this year at the Repsol Honda Team. The bike has been working brilliantly and even in the worst days it did not work poorly. This is something very positive. When we have the opportunity to win we are always there, very close, and that gives us the chance to win more often."
Stoner has been the most consistent rider during the 2011 season, but with such tough competition this year, the Repsol Honda rider doesn't believe a string of podiums will grant him the championship. Stoner needs to keep winning if he wants to be the 2011 MotoGP champion.
"I do not think consistency will win championships," Stoner continued. "You have to be there and win races, take risks. I think that is what might decide the Championship. We are going to do the best job we can every time we get on track, but if one of the days we are not able win, we need to settle for second place, a third or even worse, but we will try to win every time." (See the full interview here.)
Andrea Dovizioso is currently in third behind Stoner and Lorenzo. Dovizioso has yet to win this year, but he has been consistently in the top five, with three second place finishes and four total podiums. Still, Dovizioso sits 30 points behind Lorenzo, and 50 behind Stoner.
"With the third position, yes, I am satisfied, but not with the difference to Casey and Jorge," Dovizioso said. "Fifty points are too many, but there is nothing impossible."
"But I want to see the positive side and we are third of the championship, I had never been so strong in all races as this year," Dovizioso said. "So I am very happy with the job of the team and of the feeling of the bike, but naturally, our aim is to fight for the championship and right now, we are not competitive enough to set up an strategy to do it. Anyway, we are well placed in the championship and there are still eight races ahead, so we have to believe. We will see which result we get in the end." (See the full interview here.)
Dani Pedrosa would have been a title contender this year, but the Repsol Honda rider missed three rounds in the middle of the season due to an injury. Still, Pedrosa has earned two victories and three additional podiums to claim the fourth place spot in the standings.
"These victories have a very special taste indeed. Especially after the injuries I suffered, as I was never at 100%," Pedrosa said. "These wins give me a high level of confidence. My rivals are in full form, so I am eager to recover my form too so that I can fight against them on equal terms."
Pedrosa has another week off before the MotoGP riders head to the Czech Republic for the 11th round of the season. Pedrosa is more than 80 points away from the top of the standings, but if the Repsol Honda rider can get back into 100% condition, that gap could slowly start disappearing.
"My plan is to recover, because my muscles are very stiff, so I will try to rest a bit to allow them to relax," Pedrosa added. "When I feel better, I intend to train in order to avoid feeling so week in the second half of the races." (See the full interview here.)
