The 2019 MotoGP season has reached Europe! The Gran Premio Red Bull de España, the fourth round of the season, kicks off this weekend.
The Circuito de Jerez – The facts
- Opened in 1985, this is our 33rd consecutive visit to the track
- This race will mark 400 Grand Prix in Spain, the first being in Barcelona in 1951
- The track is 2.751 miles or 4.428 km long and made up of 13 corners – 5 left-handers and 8 right-handers
- To date, the top speed recorded at the track was 295.9 km/h by Dani Pedrosa.
- Valentino Rossi has the crown for most Jerez victories*, with 6 wins since 2002, but Dani Pedrosa has led the most laps*, with an impressive 121 under his belt since 2002.
(*across the modern MotoGP era)
MotoGP 2019: Last time out in COTA
With Marc Marquez seeking his seventh win at the Circuit Of The Americas, he started his weekend in the best way possible with a pole position. However as the chequered flag fell, it was Suzuki’s Alex Rins who took the win – which happened to be his maiden victory.
This victory means that Rins is the only rider to win at COTA in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. However, his win didn’t come easy as he battled with Valentino Rossi, who ended the day in second. The battle ensued after pole-sitter, Marquez, crashed out of the lead of the race at turn 12.
The podium was completed by Jack Miller with championship leader, Andrea Dovizioso who finished the race in fourth.
MotoGP 2018: Last year in Jerez
Image Credit: MotoGP
Last year, British rider Cal Crutchlow began the Gran Premio Red Bull de España on pole, setting the all-time lap record in the process, ahead of Dani Pedrosa who started in second. But thanks to a race filled with action and drama, neither of these riders met with the chequered flag.
It was 2018 champion, Marquez, who took the race win – and who can forget his infamous “flossing” dance as he crossed the line! The Spaniard was joined on the podium by Johann Zarco, on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine, and Andrea Iannone on the Team Suzuki Ecstar.
Jorge Lorenzo, the only rider to use a soft front tire, felt the effects of this decision after only three laps. Despite leading the race at the time, he proved no real battle for a dominant Marquez with his sites truly set on the win.
What to expect from the 2019 Jerez GP
Image Credit: MotoGP
Starting his 200th race, Andre Dovizioso will be seeking to maintain his title lead as we enter the European leg of the season. However, this track hasn’t been a favourite for the Italian in previous years. To date, his highest result at Jerez has been two third-place finishes in 2006 and 2007 – so he will clearly be keen to turn the tables on this difficult history.
Meanwhile, inured Jorge Lorenzo also has a point to prove as he seeks to get his 2019 season off the ground. Unlike Dovizioso, Lorenzo has enjoyed plenty of success at the track, including five wins and five additional podium finishes, as well as seven pole positions.
He admitted that “I have been focusing on this race since the start of the season. Jerez is one of my favourite circuits. The surface normally has a lot of grip and this suits my style very well unlike a couple of tracks we have already visited.”
Despite being the reigning champion, Marquez will feel he also has a lot to prove this weekend, after crashing out of the lead at COTA, last time out. Like Lorenzo, he has also enjoyed success at the track in recent years, securing eight podiums in eight consecutive years – can he make it a ninth this weekend?
He stated that “Jerez is always a special race because it is the first in Europe and there’s a lot of support from the Spanish fans.”
Weekend Schedule (GMT)
Friday 3rd May:
- Free Practice 1: 8.55am
- Free Practice 2: 1.10pm
Saturday 4th May:
- Free Practice 3: 8.55am
- Free Practice 4: 12.30pm
- Qualifying 1: 1.10pm
- Qualifying 2: 1.35pm
Sunday 5th May:
- Warm Up: 8.40am
- Race: 1pm
