Valencia: Circuit guide

Eurosport - Mon, 02 Nov 16:24:00 2009

All you need to know about the final Grand Prix of the MotoGP season in Valencia this weekend.

MOTORCYCLING MotoGp GP de Valencia Valentino Rossi - 0

HISTORY

The race at Valencia is the third this season to take place on Spanish soil following Jerez and Barcelona.

The Ricardo Tormo circuit, named after the Spanish rider, hosts the Grand Prix for the 10th time, having first played host to the Grand Prix of Valencia in 1999.

The traditional season-ending Spanish fiesta sees Valentino Rossi arrive with the title already in his pocket and the all-time points record for a season within his sights.

TRACK

It is an unusual circuit built within a stadium style complex that makes it possible to see virtually any part of the circuit from any seat in the house.

Whilst on the one hand this makes it a great venue for the fans, the track layout is constantly forced back on itself, making for a series of tight corners separated by short straights that require plenty of low revs and provide little opportunity to fully open the throttle.

Unlike most circuits, it also runs anti-clockwise.

DATA

Circuit length: 4005m (2.489 miles)

Straight: 876m (0.544 miles)

Width: 12m

Pole Position: Right

Right corners: 5

Left corners: 9

Lap record: 1:32:748 - Dani Pedrosa 2007 (Honda)

Pole Position: 1:31:002 - Valentino Rossi 2006 (Yamaha)

RECENT WINNERS

2008 - Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici), 46:46:114

2007 - Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), 46:43:533

2006 - Troy Bayliss (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici), 46:55:415

2005 - Marco Melandri (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin), 46:58:152

2004 - Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha YZR-M1-Michelin), 47:16:145

2003 - Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V-Michelin), 47:13:078

2002 - Alex Barros (West Honda Pons RC211V-Michelin), 47:22.404

2001 - Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Suzuki RGV500-Michelin), 54: 39:391 (damp race)

2000 - Garry McCoy (Red Bull Yamaha WCM YZR500-Michelin), 48:27:799

Watch free practice of the final Grand Prix in Valencia LIVE at 11.40am on Friday, November 6 on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

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