The ‘GP’ in MotoGP stands for Grand Prix. The motorcycles of the grand prix are high powered machines designed to be raced. These amazing vehicles are so fast that they aren’t sold on the market, as opposed to the vehicles of other motorcycle races like the Superbike World Championship. Based on rules from 2007, the maximum size of the engine capacity was set to 800cc. These bikes cost an estimated 3 to 3.5 million simply to lease for one racing season. In the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, the best machines are driven by the best drivers. This combination makes for the best races. Here are just a few that you might want to take a look at.
Gran Premio bwin de Espana – Jerez Circuit
After the impressive practice run of Dani Pedrosa on Saturday May 1st, it was thought that he would probably take first place. Instead, on Sunday May 2nd, Pedrosa ended up second only a half of a second behind his opponent Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo completed the race with a time of 45’17.538 and an average of 158.2 km/hr. He rode on a Yamaha bike for the Fiat Yamaha Team. Both Pedrosa and Lorenzo are from Spain. The race was extremely close and all signs pointed to Pedrosa coming out ahead. Unfortunately, Lorenzo managed to overtake him in this exciting race. Placing third was last year’s overall winner, Valentino Rossi. Being the teammate of Lorenzo. Rossi is no doubt happy for the overall team victory.
Monster Energy Grand Prix de France – Le Mans
Next the racers will move to France for Le Mans, the next challenge for the racers. This 2.600 mile race will test if Lorenzo will continue to hold the lead. Last year he won this race in the GP category, but it has been since ’08 that the record has been broken. Will Lorenzo break the record of 1’34.215 set by Valentino Rossi, or will that honor be held by Lorenzo’s rival, Pedrosa who no doubt wants revenge for his close defeat at the Jerez Circuit. The race is set to start the 23rd of May. Whether or not Valentino Rossi will eclipse both still remains to be seen. Will Valentino break his own record this year? It is so early in the races that it is hard to tell.
Grand Premio Generali de La Comunitat Valenciana – Valencia Circuit
The final race, scheduled for Sunday, 7 Novembee 2010. After traveling all around the world to America, Japan, France, Qatar, Italy, Britain, Germany, Malaysia, and others, the race finally returns to Spain with the 18th round at the famous Valencia Circuit. This 4005 meter race track was dominated last time around by Pedrosa. Whether or not this will happen again is the question. Like Le Mans, the record for best time is being held by a racer from ’08, this time C. Stoner with 1’32.582. Of course we cannot forget the reigning champion Valentino Rossi, who is under the pressure of his teammate Lorenzo as well as Pedrosa. The race between all three of these great riders will be intense on the final and most important track.
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motogp ; http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics ; http://www.motogp.com/en
