Spanish MotoGP

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated race of the season, the Spanish MotoGP is a festival of motorsport for the 250,000 visitors who attend across the race weekend. The Andalusian circuit may look spectacular with its stunning views of Southern Spain, but behind its beauty lays one of the most challenging circuits on the race calendar.

2011 Season

This year will be the tenth race at Jerez since the introduction of the Moto GP series, and only recently was the future of the Spanish Grand Prix secured after the owners of the Circuito de Jerez ran into financial trouble. Now, with the Southern Spain circuit set to host the event until 2016, the battle between Spanish riders Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa will continue to be played out on the grandest of stages in front of a passionate home crowd.

Honda rider Pedrosa goes into the second race of the season at Jerez still feeling the effects of a crash which required surgery at the Japanese Grand Prix last year. His injury was the cause of turmoil after Jorge Lorenzo passed him on the last lap of the first race of the season in Qatar after Pedrosa’s injury meant he was unable to operate the clutch on his bike properly.

The tension between the two riders has continued to build as the event approaches, and the news that Pedrosa requires more surgery after complications in his rehabilitation will only add spice to an already enthralling encounter.

Overview

Its perfect balance of high-speed corners, long straights and tight hairpin turns make it the ideal testing ground for teams looking to push their bikes to the limit over the winter in preparation for the upcoming season. Renowned for its sweeping corners that means riders can maintain high speeds for longer, expect plenty of action and overtaking come race day. Teams with a balanced set up tend to reign in Spain, while those struggling for grip and downforce will find it difficult to compete. The circuit was modified in 2002 and resurfaced in 2005.

History

Constructed in 1986, the circuit hosted the first ever international motorcycle event and has established itself as one of the best tracks for both motorbike and Formula 1 racing with some of the most passionate fans on the planet. Spanish Greats from the world of motorbike racing like Sito Pons, Joan Garriga, Carlos Cardús, and Alberto Puig have all emerged from the Circuito De Jerez and gone on to become legends in their own right, while more recently reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo made his debut as a 15-year-old at the circuit, in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 screaming fans. In 1992 it went under the first of two major changes, with the introduction of a new 600 m straight, while 2002′s update saw improvements across the track.

Key Moments

2010

Perhaps the most dramatic Spanish GP of all time. Dani Pedrosa takes pole and leads from the start of the race, only to be overtaken by fellow Spaniard and championship rival Jorge Lorenzo overtakes on the last lap to send the capacity crowd wild.

2009

2007 Champion Casey Stoner secures a third placed finish – to date his only podium finish at Jerez from nine visits to the track.

2004

Sete Gibernau becomes the first Spaniard to win in their home country

2002

The most successful rider at the Jerez circuit, Valentino Rossi lays down the gauntlet to win the first ever Spanish GP.