The 2015 MotoGP World Championship is about to enter a crucial phase, with the final five rounds taking place over the next seven weeks. Two rounds in Spain – the Gran Premio de Aragón and the GP de la Comunitat Valenciana – bookend the three overseas events (Japan, Australia and Malaysia) in the month of October. This weekend therefore the Spanish track is gearing up for the fourteenth round of the season.
Located near Alcañiz, this year the circuit hosts its GP for the sixth time, after only joining the MotoGP calendar in 2010. MotorLand Aragón is a modern venue, with a demanding track that goes in a counter-clockwise direction and which contains two straights and seventeen corners, as well as a few up-and-down sections.
The Ducati Team arrive in Spain with some anxiety over the physical condition of Andrea Iannone, who again dislocated his left shoulder last Wednesday, when he was out running near his home at Vasto as part of his training routine. After undergoing an MRI scan the morning after, Iannone immediately began electro-medical tecar therapy in order to get ready for the Spanish race, but he will probably not be 100% fit this weekend.
Dovizioso has raced in every edition of the Aragón GP, his best result being a third place in 2012, while Iannone scored a win in 2010 in Moto2 and last year qualified on the front row but was then forced to retire while he was leading the race.
The Aragón weekend programme begins on Friday morning with the first free practice session at 9.55 am CET, while the 23-lap race is scheduled for Sunday at 2 pm.
Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – 4th (159 points)
“Unfortunately last week I tripped over while I was out training: in the fall, I put my arms out to protect myself, but a sudden movement caused my shoulder to pop out again. I have been undergoing a couple of hours of tecar treatment a day, but it will be a tough weekend for me, because the track has many direction changes, ups and downs and a lot of hard braking. I clearly won’t be 100% on form, but at least I’ll be there.”
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 6th (128 points)
“For sure we want to make up for the Misano race: Aragón is a track where last year I was going well before I crashed when it began to rain. It’s a very unusual circuit and is interesting for us with the GP15, because it will give us an idea of how competitive we are. I expect a lot from this weekend.”
The MotorLand Aragón Circuit
The modern MotorLand Aragón facility had its roots firmly established with a solid history of street racing in Alcañiz, which hosted events between 1963 and 2003. The need for greater safety led to the proposal and construction of a sporting complex dedicated to motorsport in the area. With support from local institutions, renowned German architect Hermann Tilke was commissioned to design the facility. The circuit, which is 5.077 km long and has 17 turns, was roundly praised by riders after its first Grand Prix in 2010.
Circuit Record: Pedrosa (Honda – 2013) 1’48.565 (168.3 km/h)
Fastest Lap: Marquez (Honda – 2014) 1’47.187 (170.5 km/h)
Top Speed: Bradl (Honda – 2013) 341.6 km/h
Track Length: 5.1 km
Race Duration: 23 laps (116.8 km)
Corners: 17 (10 left, 7 right)
Race Start: 14.00 CET
2014 Results
Podium: 1st Lorenzo (Yamaha), 2nd A.Espargarò (Forward Racing), 3rd Crutchlow (Ducati)
Pole Position: Marquez (Honda) 1’47.187 (170.5 km/h)
Fastest Lap: Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1’49.107 (167.5 km/h)
Andrea Dovizioso
Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP15
Race Number: 04
Age: 29 (born on March 23rd 1986 in Forlimpopoli, Italy)
Residence: Forlì (Italy)
Races: 235 (137 x MotoGP, 49 x 250cc, 49 x 125cc)
First GP: 2001 Italian GP (125cc)
Wins: 10 (1 x MotoGP, 4 x 250cc, 5 x 125cc)
First Win: 2004 South African GP (125cc)
Pole Positions: 16 (3 x MotoGP, 4 x 250cc, 9 x 125cc)
First Pole: 2003 French GP (125cc)
Titles: 1 (1 x 125cc)
Andrea Iannone
Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP15
Race Number: 29
Age: 26 (born on August 9th 1989 in Vasto, Italy)
Residence: Vasto (Italy)
Races: 173 (46 x MotoGP, 51 x Moto2, 76 x 125cc)
First GP: 2005 Spanish GP (125cc)
Wins: 12 (8 x Moto2, 4 x 125cc)
First Win: 2008 GP of China (125cc)
Pole Positions: 9 (1 x MotoGP, 5 x Moto2, 3 x 125cc)
First Pole: 2008 GP of Malaysia (125cc)
