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| Luca Marini Returns Stronger, Praises Brno Track Upgrade After Injury Setback. |
After several years off the MotoGP calendar, the iconic Brno Circuit in the Czech Republic is back in 2024. The track had been dropped since 2020 due to major grip issues on its aging surface. But thanks to a full resurfacing project, Brno is making a comeback—and the riders are loving it.
One of the riders who had a chance to test the new surface ahead of the Czech Grand Prix is Honda MotoGP’s Luca Marini. The Italian was full of praise after trying out the freshly paved track during a private test earlier this summer.
“It was my first time back on the bike after the injury, so I was taking it easy and not pushing 100 percent,” Marini said during the pre-race press conference in Brno.
“But I have to say, the track is incredible. Even better than before. They did a fantastic job with the new surface. The asphalt is unbelievable, and I really hope more tracks around the world can reach this level of quality.”
Brno marks Marini’s second race back since missing multiple rounds, including Silverstone and Sachsenring, due to a crash in Suzuka that left him injured.
Last week, he made a solid return by finishing sixth in Germany—his best result so far with Honda HRC Castrol. And for Marini, that finish meant a lot more than just points.
“It was a really tough time, especially in the beginning when I had no idea how bad the injury was,” he admitted.
“Those first few days were scary. At first, I thought I would be out for a long time before I could ride again. Luckily, everything healed much quicker than expected. Recovery went fast, and I was able to have a strong race in Germany. I was also a bit lucky with all the crashes at the front.”
Marini knows there is still a lot of work to do, but he’s optimistic about what lies ahead.
“Sixth place was a good result, but I know we can do better. Our goal now is to keep improving the bike and my riding. I truly believe we can end this season on a high note.”
Marini’s return to racing, paired with the impressive upgrade of the Brno track, brings new energy to this year’s MotoGP season. Fans have every reason to be excited for what’s coming next.