This morning Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya officially launched the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ 2024. The event took place in a very special location with privileged views of the city of Barcelona, at the Monestir de Sant Miquel del Poble Espanyol.
The event was chaired by the Minister of Business and Labour of the Catalan Government and President of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Roger Torrent, who was joined by the Councillor for Sports of the Barcelona City Council, David Escudé, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports and also by Xavier Pérez, General Manager of the RACC.
Nor was there a lack of sporting representation thanks to some of the protagonists of the weekend such as MotoGP™ riders Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez and Aleix Espargaró; Moto2™ riders Albert Arenas Xavier Artigas and Jeremy Alcoba, and Moto3™ rookie Joel Esteban; all of them Catalan riders who will fight for victory at home in each of the categories of the World Motorcycling Championship.
Roger Torrent, Catalan Minister of Business and Labour, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya President:
“This year we will hold the best edition of the MotoGP Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It is one of the greatest events in the world and it generates a lot of fans in our country. In this new edition, fans will already be able to enjoy some of the improvements that have been made to the facilities. The Circuit was already one of the best permanent circuits in the world and now even more”.
David Escudé, Councillor for Sports, Barcelona City Council:
“Barcelona is a city with a strong link to motorsports and, over the next few days, it will be closely following everything that happens at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in one of the most important competitions on the international scene. The people of Barcelona will enjoy and follow the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP this weekend”.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports:
“We are delighted to be at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. We started back in 1992 and we have already held 33 editions of the Gran Premi de Catalunya. I would like to thank the Circuit for the effort it is making to modernise and to try to improve year after year, both in terms of facilities and organisation”.
Marc Márquez, Gresini Racing MotoGP™ team rider:
“The Catalunya GP is the most important for Catalan riders. Although it is not a circuit where I have had excellent results, we will try to do as good as possible with this bike. The change I made to Ducati was to enjoy myself again and the simple fact of being competitive again and being among the best gives me an extra boost.”
Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia Racing team rider:
“This year I am not achieving the results I would like but we are not that far away either. Of course I would have liked to score some more points but it’s the beginning of the season and I feel comfortable with the bike, I think it’s better than the 2023 bike. So it’s a good weekend to get a good result at home.”
Álex Márquez, Gresini Racing MotoGP™ team rider:
“Racing at home gives you that little push that gives you a few extra tenths. Still, we did quite well at the Circuit last year and I think we can be in the fight again. I hope above all not to make any mistakes so as not to sacrifice qualifying or the sprint race to prepare well for the weekend.”
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.