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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Nicky forever. 🇺🇸

A post shared by Circuit of The Americas (@cota_official) on Apr 12, 2019 at 9:23am PDT

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 10^th, 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:

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:
1^st Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
2^nd Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
3^rd 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)

 

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Watch out! 👀 // Here's @sam.lowes22 trying to keep his front wheel down at COTA's Turn 9 💨 #SL22 #AmericasGP #Motorcycle #Racing #Motorsport

A post shared by MotoGP (@motogp) on Apr 12, 2019 at 10:59am PDT

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.