Bankia Aspar rider Nico Terol remains atop of the 125cc Championship standings going into Round 5 at Catalunya this weekend, holding a 36-point advantage over the rest of the category, the Spaniard is yet to finish outside the top two so far this season.

Terol failed to take victory for the first time this season in only the previous round, where he finished second after a race-long battle with fellow Spaniard and rookie rider Maverick Viñales.

Catalunya is a circuit at which Terol has experienced mixed fortunes in the past. His only podium finish there came in 2009 when he placed second, and a crash in last year’s race resulted in an injury which sidelined him for the following round.

His start to 2011 has however more than hinted that a first GP win at the venue is a strong likelihood this weekend.

In taking victory in the previous round at Le Mans in just his fourth World Championship race start Viñales became the third youngest GP winner of all time, and the youngest ever Spanish rider to win a race.

The Blusens by Paris Hilton Racing rider, lying sixth in the standings going into Round 5, knows the circuit well due to his CEV Buckler (Spanish National Championship) experience from the past two years.

The rider within closest reach of Terol is Sandro Cortese (Intact Racing Team Germany), the German has a best finish of fourth from last year at Catalunya. Six points behind him is Johann Zarco (Avant-AirAsia-Ajo) in third spot, with Jonas Folger (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) and Efrén Vázquez (Avant-AirAsia-Ajo) the top five as it stands.

Experienced heads Sergio Gadea (Blusens by Paris Hilton Racing Team) and Héctor Faubel (Bankia Aspar) have both stood on the podium at the track in the 125cc class before.

Three wildcard riders will also participate this weekend, with local rider Josep Rodrigues (Wild Wolf-RACC-MS), Brit John McPhee (Racing Steps Foundation KRP) and German Kevin Hanus (Team Hanusch) all accumulating World Championship experience.

The Grand Premi Aperol de Catalunya takes place from June 3-5, with action getting underway at 9.15am local time on Friday with the first practice session for the 125cc class.