Valencia Moto GP
The Circuit de Valencia is located 20km west of Valencia city in the village
of Cheste. It is named after the late, local champion and hero Ricardo Tormo and
hosts the crucial end of season Valencia Moto GP race. In 1999, it became the
third Spanish race along with the existing ones at Jerez and Barcelona.
There are several possible layouts of the circuit although the Valencia Moto
Grand Prix events take place on a 4 kilometre track that includes five left
handed corners, eight right handed corners and a 650m straight. With tight
corners on the circuit it is one of the slower GPs although the riders can reach
around 200mph on the track's long straight.
The circuit was basically made for the public. It was studied and built so
that no matter where you sit you can pretty much see the entire track. It's a
tight, twisty layout which is often used for Formula 1 tests because of these
technical characteristics and the mild local climate. In the pit complex there
are 48 garages and the circuit's grandstands can accommodate 150,000 spectators.
This clever positioning of the grandstands means that no matter which ticket you
buy you'll be able follow the whole race without having to rely on the circuit's
TV monitors.
If you're staying in Valencia and plan on riding or driving to the Moto GP
then be sure to leave yourself plenty time as there's only one road from
Valencia to the circuit which creates severe traffic congestion as you approach
Cheste. A fine alternative is to take the train from next to the bullring in the
centre of Valencia which stops right outside of the circuit.
The riders, the fans and facilities of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit all help
make the annual Valencia Moto GP a memorable event which which attracts fans
from all over Europe. Previous winners include Troy Bayliss in 2006 on a Ducati,
Marco Melanari in 2005 riding a Honda and the fans favourite, Valentino Rossi,
who won it in 2004 and 2003 on a Yamaha and a Honda respectively.
Unless you're camping out near the circuit a hotel in
Valencia is your best bet for accommodation then travelling daily to the
track by road or rail. You can book
Valencia GP tickets independently for the event or sign up for a tour
package which includes accommodation, daily transfers and a choice of tickets in
the grandstands.
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