MotoGP Preview: Spanish Grand Prix
- Silvia Cojocaru
- 7 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Written by Silvia Cojocaru, Edited by Dhara Dave
After nearly one month of waiting, MotoGP returns to racing in Spain at the iconic Jerez circuit. Marco Bezzecchi currently sits at the top of the standings, but the fight for the championship is just getting started. Here is everything you need to know about this week’s Spanish venture.
This weekend’s track layout: Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
Located in the South of Spain in Jerez, the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto has hosted MotoGP races since 1986. It currently holds the record as the track that hosted the most consecutive Grand Prix. The consistently good weather played a role in the track’s popularity throughout the years, being one of the few circuits that are suitable for racing all year round.
The track bears the name of Madrid-born motorcycle racer Ángel Nieto, a seven-time world champion in 125cc, who unfortunately passed away in 2017. The ninth turn at the circuit is also named after him.
Spanning its 4.42 km (2.75 miles) resides a rich motorsport history, with the circuit having hosted various racing events, from the Supercars Endurance series to Formula One races. The track also became common ground for pre-season testing, making it very familiar to all the riders on the grid.
The 13 corners at the circuit test a variety of rider skills through low and high speed corners, together with a 607-meter straight, one of the longest on the calendar. Perhaps the most iconic part of the track remains the final corner, Curva Lorenzo, the site of numerous fierce encounters.
Past results
Every MotoGP return at Jerez brought some of the most exciting battles we have witnessed throughout the years.
Last season gave us a thrilling race, with Fabio Quartararo stunning everyone in qualifying and starting from pole. The Frenchman managed his best result of the season and finished second despite the Yamaha struggling to remain competitive for the rest of the year.
Álex Márquez enjoyed the race win at the Spanish track and became the championship leader after his brother nearly crashed out of the race on Lap 3. The podium was completed by Francesco Bagnaia, who recovered some points from his teammate.
Otherwise, Jerez is known for its last-lap drama. From Valentino Rossi forcing his way past Sete Gibernau in the last corner of the race in 2005 to Marc Márquez clashing with Jorge Lorenzo to finish second in his debut season in 2013, nail-biting action is to be expected.
Going further back in time to 1996, then-teammates Mick Doohan and Alex Criville had an intense battle at the track, resulting in a controversial win for the Australian rider due to more last-corner drama.
Other iconic moments at the track feature Lorenzo’s first 500cc win in 2010 and Casey Stoner and Rossi’s iconic rivalry culminating in an incident at Jerez in 2011 with the Italian’s memorable apology.
Key talking points
Aprilia have the advantage coming into Spain as the Championship leaders after they continued their winning streak and dominated in America. Bezzecchi claimed his fifth consecutive win in a Grand Prix, and Jorge Martín reigned victorious in the Sprint. The Italian rider also broke another record in March, having led 121 consecutive laps. His teammate follows closely in the championship standings after he finished second in the race.
Pedro Acosta had an intense battle with Bezzecchi to finish third in the Grand Prix, bringing KTM back in the Teams’ Championship fight. “El tiburón” currently enjoys his best start to a season in MotoGP and will be looking to impress at his home race after already claiming a sprint podium at Jerez in his rookie season.
KTM will be without a rider for this race, as Maverick Viñales is currently recovering from surgery. No replacement has been announced so far by the Austrian team.
Ducati will hope to turn their luck around after the forced break, as Marc Márquez failed to make the podium once again in the Grand Prix following his long lap penalty, and Bagnaia barely finished in the top 10.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard appeared sceptical after the last round, explaining that the bike is not necessarily the problem, but that he hasn’t figured out how to adapt to it, stating: “I need to understand well how to improve the first laps. I don't feel well on the bike. Then it looks like I get used [to be] in a position, not a natural position on the bike, and I'm just riding. Just riding, still I'm fast, but I cannot make the difference.”
His teammate provided a more positive view, arguing that he could see some improvement from the start of the season in Thailand. Still, the Ducati rider to keep an eye on this weekend remains Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is currently the highest-ranked Ducati rider in the standings. The VR46's Ducati is also the only one to finish on the podium in a Grand Prix this season.
Will Bezzecchi continue his winning streak? Will anyone put a stop to Aprilia's dominance? The only way to find out is to tune in to the Spanish Grand Prix and witness the dramatic last-lap action once again on 26th April at 14:00 track time (13:00 BST).
