2016 MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez just lost out to AMA Pro FlatTrack rider Brad Baker at the 2015 edition of the Superprestigio, and the now 5-time World Champion is looking to get back the crown this year.
Early signs seem to suggest a showdown between the two in the Super Final to decide the winner once again – with some eyes also on the first ever Champion in the new RFME Copa de España de Flat Track, Ferran Cardus.
The superstar line up includes a host of famous faces from the paddocks of the world, with MotoGP and WorldSBK well represented. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Alex Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) head up the MotoGP line up, with Joan Mir (Leopard Racing), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing Moto3), former 125 World Champions Julian Simon and Nico Terol, 2016 Moto2 Rookie of the Year Xavi Vierge and Moto3 podium sitter Jorge Martin just some of those who join them, with many more from the MotoGP paddock also set to line up. 2010 Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias (Yoshimura Suzuki) is another one of the Champions set to take part, also representing the MotoAmerica Championship.
The WorldSBK charge is headed by Jordi Torres (Althea BMW) and Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team), with WorldSSP also getting in on the action with multiple race winner Kyle Smith. Another of the top draw names on the entry list is former WorldSBK title challenger and race winner Ruben Xaus, as the Spaniard gears up for the special one-off event.
Brad Baker: “It’s been a great month! I’ve been to Valentino Rossi’s ranch and here in Spain to train with Marc Marquez – and I’ve also been able to help out some Spanish riders like Ferran Cardus. This is supposed to be my expertise, as a dirt tracker, so every year the expectation gets a little higher – the pressure is on!”
Marc Marquez: “It’s a pleasure to be here another year in the fourth edition. I have a lot of passion for dirt track, off-road and motorbikes. The last month has been crazy for me going to Japan and now here – but in front of all these people and champions it’s a great event. It’s a great show and we want to enjoy the atmosphere – but everybody wants to get on the podium. In these races, in the end, the guy who finishes first is the best – not just the fastest.”