PREVIEW / GRAND PRIX OF BARCELONA
THE PARTY CONTINUES
A true ‘tour de force’ gets underway at the Grand
Prix of Catalunya as the MotoGP teams and riders prepare for
the first of five races in eight weekends in Europe and the
United States. Such an intense run doesn’t allow for
even the slightest of distractions and the TEAM FORTUNA HONDA
riders are ready for the upcoming ‘marathon’.
The fun starts in Barcelona, a home race for Toni Elias, who
lives just thirty kilometres away from the Montmelò
in the town of Manresa.
TONI ELIAS:
“Racing in front of your home crowd is an incredible
feeling and this time it is even more so because it can help
you get over your difficulties. We had hoped to be arriving
at this event with better results behind us but unfortunately
we are still suffering from problems that have dogged us for
the last three races. The days of tests at Mugello was useful
to try and understand the bike more and find some kind of
direction to work in. Within the team we have studied a few
alternative solutions which I am sure will have good results
in Barcelona. I’m feeling confident and motivated. I
want to get back to enjoying myself and give my fans something
to celebrate. Barcelona is a demanding track, an F1 circuit,
but I’m ready to give my maximum and take a good result
home with me.”
MARCO MELANDRI:
“I can’t wait to get back on track after the
excellent results we had at the Mugello test. Over the race
weekend we had worked hard to find better traction and on
Monday we concentrated on speed through the corners and the
results were positive.
I’m feeling very confident about going to Barcelona
– the track is similar to Mugello and with the good
base setting we found there I should be able to do well in
Spain. I like the track and I’ve had a lot of satisfaction
there in the past. I know the podium well at Montmelò
because I have already been there twice in MotoGP over the
past two years. I have missed the taste of champagne and I
want to sample it again.”
THE TRACK
The Catalunya Circuit was constructed thanks to an agreement
between the Autonomous Government of Catalunya and the region’s
Automobile Club and it was inaugurated in 1991 for the F1
Grand Prix. Modified in 1995, the facility is noted for its
excellent safety features for the riders and comfort for the
spectators.
The Barcelona track itself is fast, although not quite so
much as Mugello, very technical and requires good set-up in
the cycle part of the bike due to the mixture of fast and
slow corners.
It is also a very challenging track for the Michelin technicians
and tyre choice is fundamental because grip levels are constantly
changing (it has been known to offer good grip during morning
free practice only to drop dramatically in the afternoon).
Tyres and suspension also have to work together to offer stability
and flexibility through the varying land levels of the Catalan
track.
MOTOGP 2006: A MEDIATIC PHENOMENON
The arrival of the MotoGP era has not simply signified a
technological revolution. The spectacle of the world’s
premier motorcycle sport has captured the imagination of the
public and the media, seeing an incredible upturn in general
interest over the past few years. The sight of great champions
doing battle on track, beamed onto television screens all
over the world, has turned it into one of the most fashionable
sports on the planet.
The recent Grand Prix of Italy was enjoyed by 90,000 spectators
onsite, whilst national television figures almost hit record
highs, with 7,902,000 viewers and a 50.9 % share. This figure
is second only to last year’s Grand Prix of Catalunya,
which was followed by an incredible total of 8,446,000 people
in Italy.
This level of success has been possible thanks to the enormous
efforts of Dorna and Italy’s national TV station to
transmit the passion of motorcycle racing. In Italy the event
is broadcast by MEDIASET, who have spectators hooked all year
round - from the preseason tests right the way through qualifying
practice sessions and the races.
Each race weekend is given nine hours of coverage by ITALIA
1 with 30 members of staff onsite including journalists, technicians,
production staff and four cameras (2 in boxes and 2 in the
studio), which add to the coverage provided by Dorna. For
their home GP this effort was increased to 40 members of staff,
including 10 cameras in the studio, box and paddock.
Overall the Grand Prix of Italy was followed by 90 cameras
between Dorna and Mediaset. Not a single centimetre of the
track or paddock was left uncovered, with footage from the
track feed complimented by onboard cameras and action from
the boxes, pit-lane, paddock and studio.
The Italian event was broadcast by a total of 107 television
stations from 36 countries, who are able to follow the entire
championship and enjoy the passion of motorcycles from home.
In 2005 the MotoGP World Championship was seen by a total
of 5 billion and 290 million viewers – averaging at
311 million per event. A total of 3,790 hours of coverage
was broadcast on the MotoGP class alone.
TV IN NUMBERS
5 billion and 290 million MotoGP television viewers, with
an average of 311 million (2005 season) per race.
3,790 of televised coverage of the premier class in 207 countries
- 142 of which show lives races.
107 television stations in 36 countries following the championship,
as well as 112 radio stations from 22 countries.
184 countries broadcasting live coverage of the MotoGP races.
10,020 accredited journalists for the season from 59 countries
with an average of 589 per GP.
1243 newspaper headings from 55 countries. Italy has the record
of 773 journalists present throughout the 17 race championship
THE TRACK
Constructed: 1991
Modified: 1995
Length: 4.727 m
Width: 12 m
Pole position: Right
Right corners: 8
Left corners: 5
Longest straight: 1047 m
MotoGP race: 25 laps, 118.175km
RECORD:
Circuit record: 2005 Rossi (Yamaha) 1’43”195
Pole position: 2005 Gibernau (Honda) 1’42”337
2005 race: 1st Rossi (Yamaha), 2nd Gibernau (Honda), 3rd Melandri
(Honda)
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