MotoGP News
In the early stages of the 2010 MotoGP Championship, MotorLand Aragon in Spain became a reserve circuit in case the Hungarian Grand Prix was canceled due to the track not being complete in time.
After some difficulties, the Hungarian circuit wasn’t complete in time, and Motorland Aragon hosted the 13th round of MotoGP in 2010. The track was well received by the riders/teams, and now it will be featured as a permanent circuit on the main MotoGP calendar until at least 2016.
This news came after an agreement signed Tuesday by Dorna Sports (promotor of MotoGP), MotorLand Aragon and the Government of Aragon.
The following were present at the signing at the Headquarters of the Government of Aragon: Dorna CEO Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, Vice President of the Government of Aragón and President of MotorLand Mr José Angel Biel, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Vice President of MotorLand Mr Arturo Aliaga and General Director of the Aragón Institute of Public Works and CEO of MotorLand Aragón Mr Antonio Gasión.
Motorland also won the prestigious IRTA "Best Grand Prix" in 2010 for being the best organzied event on the Calendar, a first time in history of a track winning the award in its first year.
Built in 2009 near Alcaniz in Spain, Motorland Aragon features seven right-hand and 10 left-hand corners over its anti-clockwise layout. MotoGP says 116,000 fans attended the circuit across three days last September, with with 70,000 present for race day on the Sunday.
At last year’s Aragon race, Casey Stoner (then a Ducati Team rider) took his first win of 2010 MotoGP. Stoner, who started from the pole, went on to lead every lap and finish 5.148 seconds ahead of Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa. Taking the final podium spot was Stoner’s then teammate, Nicky Hayden, which was the American’s best finish of the season.
With the additional of Aragon, Spain now host the four MotoGP championships (Jerez, Catalunya, Aragon, Valencia), more than any other country.
