Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has experienced today an emotional and surprising first day of the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ in which Aleix Espargaró has been the centre of attention. The Granollers rider chose the track that has seen him grow and consolidate as a rider to announce his retirement from the World Championship. He did so surrounded by his family, his team and his fellow MotoGP riders, who did not want to miss the opportunity to show their support.
“The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the circuit where I grew up and where I started racing, so it was the perfect place to say that I am leaving the competition”, said the elder Espargaró. ‘’My career has been a strange one, unstructured, and nobody would have imagined that at 30 years old I could win races, but I was there. Although it is never enough for a rider, I am proud of my career and you know that I always choose with my heart and not with my head. I know that I could continue, but I have decided to take a step aside and enjoy my children and my wife more”, concluded the Catalan after thanking all those present for their support. The Catalan will step off the bike at the end of the 2024 World Championship and will do so after 20 seasons as a professional and more than 250 races in the premier class, having achieved 3 victories and 11 podiums to date.
Leaving aside the news of Aleix Espargaró, the big topic of debate is the game of chairs in the Ducati teams, both in the official (Ducati Lenovo Team) and in two of its satellite teams (Prima Pramac Racing and Gresini Racing). The only one whose future has been decided is Pecco Bagnaia, who will remain with the Ducati Lenovo Team. He was joined at the press conference by a rider who may no longer be his team-mate, Enea Bastianini, and two riders who could become one, Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marc Márquez (Gresini Racing). Jorge Martín said that he does not believe that “what happens here in Barcelona will decide our future. We have to wait and see what happens in the next two weeks.” The rest of those involved did not want to add much more, simply that their future will be decided in the next few races.
In sporting terms, Marc Márquez, for his part, wanted to highlight ‘the consistency of Bagnaia and Martín. They are fast in all the sessions and they hardly fail. I lack that consistency, despite having a good pace.” The Catalan also wanted to make his particular bet for the weekend and added that “Aprilia and KTM are getting closer to Ducati, so we will have to take them into account this weekend.”
The riders of the official Ducati team have some common ground at the Circuit, as both Bagnaia and Bastianini did not have the best of races last year at the Catalan track. “In 2023 I crashed and it was a turning point in the season. But that’s in the past and I’m 100% sure that that memory won’t affect anything this weekend,” shared the reigning world champion. Meanwhile his team-mate Bastianini, in a similar vein, commented: “I didn’t do very well here. In 2022 I crashed and last year I also made a mistake and crashed, so there is only room for improvement.”
Fans enjoy the Pit Walk
Although the Circuit will officially open its gates to the public tomorrow, today a few fans were able to come and take part in the Pit Walk, the activity that allows them to walk around the Pit Lane and see the garages up close, as well as the riders who come out to greet them. For the first time, the Pit Walk has introduced a new procedure via free online download, to ensure maximum safety for those involved and to control the capacity.
A sustainable event
The Sustainability Meeting Point platform of the Circuit hosts the 11th edition of KISS (Keep It Shiny and Sustainable) Barcelona programme by FIM Ride Green, organising a series of activities with the collaboration of Dorna, to raise awareness and sensitise the attending public on the care and respect for the environment, within the framework of the SDG 2030 of the United Nations.
The great novelty of this year, compared to previous editions, is that last October the Circuit inaugurated the largest public self-consumption photovoltaic installation in Catalonia. Since then, the Circuit has now a total of 1,239 solar panels that generate 33% of the energy currently consumed.
Other promoted actions are the rental of low-emission generators, the donation of surplus food, the offer of km0 and ecological food, the presence of drinking water sources in the public areas, the improvement of the biodiversity of the green areas, the collaboration with companies with social value, the valorisation and recycling of waste, the promotion of sustainable mobility, the use of the circular economy and many more.
Tickets available at www.circuitcat.com
The Circuit has an attractive offer of tickets to attend the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™. Starting at €79, fans can enjoy three days of competition on the track and many proposals outside it. In addition, some of the riders of the motorcycling world championship have reserved areas for their fan clubs in different grandstands, a highly recommended option to experience many emotions.
