What is MotoGP?

Grand Prix motorcycle ranking is the premier class of motorcycle road racing. Sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, there have been MotoGP events since the early 20th century. There are typically around 19 races all around the world with a season that goes from March until November. Racers get rankings and there are standings that are found online throughout the course of the season.

History

MotoGP is the oldest motorsport World Championship. Its first annual competition was held in 1949. In the early 1900s, Grand Prix were held in various countries. Finally, the first formal Championship was held in 1949. Once the Japanese motorbike industry began to boom during the 1960s, popular brands we see today began to be more prominent in Motorcycle racing. In 2002, the World Championships were rebranded as MotoGP. This also brought the introduction to 990cc racing, which is a type of engine that allowed the bike to travel much faster.

Playing Surface

The surface of a MotoGP track is made of smooth pavement that will allow the riders to go at a fast pace hopefully without losing control. When creating the surface, it is extremely important to make sure that it can prevent water from staying on the track. There should be something called crowns that will allow the water to roll off the track when it finishes raining, and will not leave puddles. If the track is still soaking wet and contains a lot of standing water after showers, then that could force a cancellation of the event to protect the safety of the riders.

Equipment

Equipment for motoGP riders have numerous protective elements. This is a sport that brings on a lot of risk, and therefore safety is the number one priority. A determining factor when choosing a rider’s equipment is the weather. Rain is an additional element of risk that requires each device to be adjusted for the safety of the rider. Below is a list of equipment that a MotoGP rider can not compete or train without.

• Helmet
• Body Armour
• Airbag
• Elbow Pads
• Knee Pads
• Gloves
• Boots
• Race Suit

Gameplay

Each MotoGp race is a sprint from start to finish for about 45 minutes. The distance traveled ranges from 100 to 13 kilometers. Points for the Grand Prix are rewarded to the top 15 riders. The winner will get 25 points while the second and place finishers will get 20 and 15. The 15th finisher will get one point. During a race, the rider may have to make pit stops for his team to do repairs on things like fuel or tires.

Position Roles and Responsibilities

Along with a team, there are a lot of crew members that are vital to a rider’s success in MotoGP. The crew is led by the crew chief who is the key man behind a successful pit stop. The crew will also have a telemetry which collects data and analysis which will allow the team to make changes to a rider’s strategy. Finally, there is a mechanic, which is vital in making sure that every part of the motorcycle will perform properly. Without these people, it will be very difficult for a rider to have a successful race.

Rules and Regulations

Like any sport, MotoGP has rules and regulations that must be followed. The Motogp is raced with 1,000cc prototypes, and there is no exception to this rule. The riders have seven engines throughout the whole season. For the last three years, teams have needed to use the same electronic management system. Each rider has a limited tire allowance, and motorcycles are not allowed to carry more than 22 liters of fuel.

Referees and Officials

Referees are there to make sure the event runs smoothly and that all of the rules are being followed. Another role of them is to penalize any riders that might be cheating or breaking any rules. MotoGP has numerous officials that help organize and run the events. There can be up to 600 officials that volunteer their time to ensure a positive experience for all riders and spectators.

Lingo and Terminology

There are a lot of terms that are associated with MotoGP. When watching an event on TV, you may hear an announcer use some of the terms below. It is important to know what they mean so you have an easier time following what is going on!

• Apex: Tightest point on the corners of the track.
• Displacement: The size or capacity of a bike’s engine.
• Hairpin: A very tight corner that is often U-shaped or V-shaped.
• Slipstream: When a rider follows another rider and uses the flow of air and machinery to speed up and overtake the rider.
• Hole-Shot: Leading the race at the first corner.

Skills and Techniques

When on the track, racers are generally either on the throttle or on the brakes. Generally, there is no free wheeling as it will be a waste of time. A popular technique is called trail braking in which racers will slow the bike as quickly as possible from one speed to another. Racers perform this technique when they approach a turn and apply full braking force. As they begin to turn in, they will ease off the breaks, as the angle of the bike lean increases. Once they reach the apex, they apply the throttle and go back to full speed.

MotoGP Coaches

Even the most talented MotoGP racers have room to improve and learn more. Coaching will help riders reach their goals, sometimes even to a level they never thought possible. A coach needs to understand the skills a rider needs to achieve their goals. In order to achieve this safely, a rider is going to need a coach present to properly increase the challenge and become a better rider. A great coach will also make sure that the rider’s mind is in the right place. It is important for the rider to be confident, but not overconfident.

MotoGP Strategy

There are a couple of different strategies that a MotoGP rider follows in order to have a successful race. One strategy that a team will always follow is testing and planning. Going into the race, a rider should know everything there is to know about the track they will be on. They also should know the weather, and be prepared for anything that might affect riding conditions. It is also important that they choose the right tires. Depending on conditions, different tires could perform better in different situations. Overall, it is extremely important that the rider and his crew will do copious amounts of testing to prepare themselves for race day.

MotoGP Drills

There are a lot of things that MotoGP riders do to stay fit when they are not in a race. Depending on conditions, a rider can lose up to two liters of sweat by the end of a 45 minute race. Therefore, it is essential for them to be in good shape. Cardio workouts such as running and biking are great ways for the rider to have the stamina to complete a race. Bodyweight exercises such as pushups and pullups are also necessary for the rider to be strong enough to go through the entire race.  

MotoGP Riders

Currently, there are 22 riders in MotoGP. Each rider is paired with another and they are on a specific team in which they get funding from a certain company. Marc Marquez is the current leader as of 2019 dominating with 420 points. Below is a list of other successful MotoGP riders, past and present.

MotoGP Leagues

The Grand Prix is divided into four different classes. MotoGP, Moto3, Moto2, and MotoE. Moto 3 will include 250cc 4 stroke bikes, while Moto 2 consists of 600cc 4 strokes. MotoGP will include all types, including 1,00cc 4 strokes. MotoGP will hold the best riders and machines in the world along with the top sponsors. MotoE is a new class that uses electric motors. All of these classes are sanctioned by the International Motorcycling Federation.

MotoGP Teams

There are currently 11 teams in MotoGP. MotoGP has factory teams and satellite teams. Factory teams are supported by the official factories such as Yamaha and Honda. A satellite team is often using equipment from the factory teams, but will maybe have older editions.This has given factory teams an extremely large advantage for a long time. Each team has two racers, and are funded by the factories. While the individual rankings are perhaps more important, there are team rankings that are based off of both rider’s finishes as well.

Below is a list of MotoGP teams and some riders on their teams:

• Aprilia Racing Team Gresini: Andrea Iannone, Aleix Espargo
• Ducati Team: Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci
• LCR Honda: Takaaki Nagami, Cal Crutchlow
• Monster Energy Yamaha: Maverick Vinales, Valentino Rossi
• Petronas Yamaha SRT: Fabio Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli
• Pramac Racing: Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnala
• Reale Avintia Racing: Johann Zarco, Tito Rabat
• Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: Brad Binder, Pol Espargaro
• Red Bull KTM Tech 3: Iker Lecuona, Miguel Oliveira
• Repsol Honda Team: Alex Marquez, Marc Marquez
• Team SUZUKI ECSTAR: Joan Mir, Alex Rins

MotoGP Brands

There are an extremely large number of brands that like to get their names in the mix of a Grand Prix event. Similar to NASCAR, a rider will have his suit, helmet, and bike covered with stickers of the brands that are sponsoring him and his team. THe manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, and more do a great job getting their name out during these tournaments. Along with that, Red Bull is another brand that gets involved with MotoGP.

MotoGP Tournaments

Throughout the season, there are many MotoGP events that take place which eventually lead up to the championship. Countries all over the world host events that the top riders will travel to. In 2019, there were 19 Grand Prix that were held in 15 different countries. These countries include the United States, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and more. The season will go from March to April, and there are usually 1-3 Grand Prix races a month. Below are a couple examples of popular events.  

MotoGP Books

There are a wide array of motorcycle books in MotoGP, talking about some of the most notable moments in the sport’s long history, or autobiographies of most successful riders to ever hop on a bike. Some readers may want to learn more about the technical aspects of the sport, while others want to dive deeper into the biggest moments in the sport’s history. Below are a couple of great options for you to read.

• The Art of Motorcycle Racing by Mike Hailwood and Murray Walker
• Stealing Speed by Mat Oxley
• Techniques of Motorcycle Racing by Kenny Roberts
• Wayne Rainey His Own Story by Mike Scott
• The Privater by Jon Ekerold

MotoGP FAQ