2019 MotoGP Circuit Of The America's Primer
Some of the fastest and most talented motorcycle riders in the
world will put their two wheeled skills to the test on this weekend
as the MotoGP series touches down in Texas. Out of 19 rounds of
racing that spans the globe, the MotoGP series only makes one stop
on US soil at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas
for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. Since it was added to
the race circuit back in 2013, watching the likes of Valentino
Rossi, Marc Marques, Cal Crutchcrow, and Maverick Vinales slice and
dice their way around COTA has been a huge draw not only for
American fans but international motorcycle racing enthusiasts as
well.
In addition to the MotoGP series, the MotoAmerica Superbike Series
Championship of Texas will be taking place this weekend as well.
It's not only the spectacular racing that brings the crowd, with
Austin's thriving live music scene, great bbq, beautiful
surrounding scenery, and a weekend full of motorcycles and
entertainment it's hard not to have a good time.
This year's COTA race will be exceptionally special and emotional
as MotoGP and COTA will pay respects to the life and career of 2006
MotoGp Champion
Nicky Hayden by retiring his iconic 69 race number from the
premier class. Hayden's life was tragically cut short back in 2017
after a bicycling accident in Italy.
If you've never been to Austin, let alone the MotoGP at COTA, or
you don't really follow MotoGP but are here's some pointers to help
you get through the weekend.
MotoGP Series:
Three classes: MotoGP is the premier class. 1,000cc engine size
limit
Moto2: 600cc four-stroke engines
Moto3: 250cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engines
19 rounds of racing all over the globe.
First race was VisiQatar Grand Prix on March 10th, last
race will be Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana Nov 17 in
Spain.
2018 MotoGP champion: Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda
Team)
Current points leader after two races: Marc Marquez
Standings after two races:
| Pos. | Rider | Bike | Nation | Points |
| 1 | Marc MARQUEZ | Honda | SPA | 45 |
| 2 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | Ducati | ITA | 41 |
| 3 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | ITA | 31 |
| 4 | Alex RINS | Suzuki | SPA | 24 |
| 5 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | ITA | 20 |
| 6 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | Honda | GBR | 19 |
| 7 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | JPN | 16 |
| 8 | Jack MILLER | Ducati | AUS | 13 |
| 9 | Aleix ESPARGARO | Aprilia | SPA | 13 |
| 10 | Pol ESPARGARO | KTM | SPA | 10 |
| 11 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | SPA | 9 |
| 12 | Fabio QUARTARARO | Yamaha | FRA | 8 |
| 13 | Joan MIR | Suzuki | SPA | 8 |
| 14 | Jorge LORENZO | Honda | SPA | 7 |
| 15 | Miguel OLIVEIRA | KTM | POR | 5 |
| 16 | Franco MORBIDELLI | Yamaha | ITA | 5 |
| 17 | Andrea IANNONE | Aprilia | ITA | 2 |
| 18 | Francesco BAGNAIA | Ducati | ITA | 2 |
| 19 | Johann ZARCO | KTM | FRA | 2 |
| 20 | Hafizh SYAHRIN | KTM | MAL | |
| 21 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | CZE | |
| 22 | Tito RABAT | Ducati | SPA |
COTA Stats
Built in 2012. Added to MotoGP circuit in 2013.
Capacity: 120,000
Track length: 3.426 miles
Track width: 49.21 ft.
Turns: 20 (9 right, 11 left)
Longest straight: 0.746 miles (3937.01 ft.) miles between turn 11
and 12
Elevation change: 130 feet between highest and lowest point on
track
Number of Laps/Distance for each race:
MotoGP: 20/68.6 miles
Moto2: 18/61.7 miles
Moto3: 17/58.3 miles
2018 MotoGP results:
1st Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
2nd Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha
MotoGP)
3rd Andrea Iannone (Team SUZUKI
ECSTAR)
Circuit record: Marc Marquez-2014. Time: 2'03.575, average speed:
98.1mph, top speed: 214.7mph
Most wins: Marc Marquez (6)
Racing schedule:
Friday April 12
Moto3 Free Practice Nr. 1
MotoGP
Free Practice Nr. 1
Moto2 Free Practice Nr. 1
MotoGP
NH69
Ceremony
10:00
Moto3 Free Practice Nr.
2
11:15-11:55
MotoGP
Free Practice Nr.
2
12:10-12:55
Moto2 Free Practice Nr.
2
13:10-13:50
Saturday April 13
Moto3 Free Practice Nr.
3
07:00-07:40
MotoGP
Free Practice Nr.
3
07:55-08:40
Moto2 Free Practice Nr.
3
08:55-09:35
Moto3 Qualifying Nr. 1 10:35-10:50
Moto3 Qualifying Nr. 2 11:00-11:15
MotoGP
Free Practice Nr.
4
11:30-12:00
MotoGP
Qualifying Nr. 1 12:10-12:25
MotoGP
Qualifying Nr. 2 12:35-12:50
Moto2 Qualifying Nr. 1 13:05-13:20
Moto2 Qualifying Nr. 2 13:30-13:45
MotoGP
Qualifying Press Conference
15:00
Sunnday April 14
Moto3 Warm
Up
06:40-07:00
Moto2 Warm
Up
07:10-07:30
MotoGPWarm
Up
07:4-08:00
Moto3
Race
09:00
Moto2
Race
10:20
MotoGPRace
12:00
What else to do in Austin besides watch the
races:
Austin is the state capitol of Texas and it's the largest in gross
square footage of all state capitols
Check out the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that fly out
from under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge around
dusk.
Stroll down Sixth Street between Congress Street and Interstate 35
and catch one of the many live music acts performing in the
numerous bars like, Sac Jac Saloon, Emo's, Stubbs, or
Mohawk-there's a reason why they call Austin the "Live Music
Capital of The World."
Grab some BBQ-You can't go to Texas without eating BBQ and there's
plenty of places to go like Franklin Barbeque, Cooper's Old Time
BBQ Pit, Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ.
Austin's moto is "Keep Austin Weird" and is used to promote its
thriving small business culture so there are plenty of one off
shops and establishments to keep you entertained and fulfill your
shopping desires.
