This weekend gives Marc Marquez the first shot at wrapping up the 125cc Championship and the pressure is on Nico Terol and Pol Espargaro to ensure that strong performances in the final two races keep their Championship hopes alive.

Nicol Terol at least has a supportive team-mate who is capable of running at the front of the grid to assist him. Bradley Smith, who mathematically cannot win this year’s 125cc championship has vowed to do everything in his power to help Terol take the points required to fight for the title. Terol currently has a 12 point deficit to Marquez.

Nico Terol:
“We have had three very intense weeks so it was nice to get home from Australia and switch off for a couple of days. It was a good trip because we were on the podium at all three rounds although we weren’t able to prevent Marc from winning all of them so we have room for improvement. There is a bit of frustration bubbling underneath that I am sure I can turn into the positive aggression I need to get back onto the top step of the podium in Portugal. Estoril is a difficult circuit and you have to be very focused because there are a lot of places where you can lose time. It is not that fast but it is quite technical. It has a place in my heart because I scored only my second podium there in 2008. Last year I crashed whilst battling in the lead group but in general it is a good track for me.”

Bradley Smith:
“It was fantastic to get home after such a long time away but now we’re looking ahead to the next round this weekend in Portugal. The last two races of the year are going to be important for me so we have to work hard to make sure we come away with good results. I want to be on the podium at both of them and if possible pick up my first win of the year. Nico is fighting for the title, which is very important for the team, so if I can help him to take points off Márquez I will do my best. I finished on the podium at Estoril last year and my feeling with the bike was good all weekend so I hope it’s the same again this time around.”

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