Special Curves: Barcelona

The inevitable fate of a MotoGP rider is to overtake or be overtaken. It is the primary move (aside from crashing or making an error) that enables them to challenge for the position ahead. To accomplish this movement correctly is to “catch and proceed pass one while travelling in the same direction”. This key component has assisted in making the Catalan race one of the most exciting on the calendar still to this day. A mere 32km from the architecturally stunning city of Barcelona, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya possesses an array of fast and slow corners and elevation changes. There are fourteen corners in total and a minimum of four (1, 4, 5 and 10) that hold strong potential for riders to out-rival one another. This, as you can imagine (I would suggest you take that device you have in your hands right now and look at previous races if you haven’t had the chance or if you need a refresher) makes for a thrilling event.

On Friday afternoon in Yamaha’s hospitality I sat amongst the fellow media and waited for Maverick Vinales’ debrief. It felt like the perfect time to put forth the query as to why this track generates so many exciting races. Amid the screech of Moto2 engines, I was handed the microphone and proceeded with my question. Maverick’s response was short and sweet “there are many places to overtake, many places. I think in every corner there is an opportunity to overtake”. It was perceived as an overly transparent statement but like its simplicity, it made sense. The more corners, the more available opportunities and therefore more confidence to strike. This ladies and gentleman is the ideal concoction for a riveting race.

I took a trip into the past during the weekend, researching and re-living a variety of dramatic moments caught on camera. In 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2016 we were blessed with fierce scenes of combat and intoxicating triumph. The one common denominator in all these clashes you may ask, the one and only Valentino Rossi and by no surprise. I began typing each race into Youtube, headings started appearing with hyperbolic statements ‘the best of all time’ and ‘a historical battle’. In 2004 it was Rossi and Sete Gibernau who chased one another, weaving in and out until Gibernau crumbled. 2007 was the Rossi, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner show which ultimately showcased a well balanced Yamaha and a passionate Australian clashing till the chequered flag flew. 2009 Yamaha teammates Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo prolonged the tension, taking it to the final lap leaving spectators to catch their breath and in 2016 the controversial duo Rossi and Marc Marquez fuelled their rivalry with a tremendous fight to finish line. In each of these seasons Catalunya has acted as a play ground for the riders to let their hair down.

When you strip down to the bare basics, these men are consumed purely by the adrenaline and passion running through their veins. Like all mortals, they have fallen victim to collisions or mistakes when undertaking a risky move and more often than not an innocent error. During the 2006 Catalunya GP there was an incident between Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau. Capirossi’s Ducati innocently shifted its way over to Gibernau before it quickly clipped his front break leaver and abruptly sent him soaring mid air. Like an immediate knock-on effect, John Hopkins, Dani Pedrosa, Marco Melandri and Randy de Puniet followed not to dissimilar to a set of dominos. Chaos appears to be a regular visitor at this circuit and today it was no different. The MotoGP race consisted of ten debacles and not to my dismay. After various incidents occurred during free practices and the Moto3 and Moto2 races it felt almost inevitable. I found myself ‘waiting’ for something to happen and not long after Andrea Dovizioso, Hafizh Syahrin and Taka Nakagami took a tumble. Today’s blog does not involve me recounting copious amounts of riders crusading to the top step of the podium. It wasn’t a nail biting, mind blowing extravaganza but it was a well ridden race by some of the best in the business. A common occurrence in the history books which I think we can all see.

Contrary to tracks like Mugello and Sachsenring, Barcelona lends itself to this famous manoeuvre which creates substantial bustle between riders. It was my first time exploring the illustrious circuit but I became familiar with it’s distinctive characteristics. The deceiving rise and falls, hard break points and the corners that challenge every class but ultimately unmask the inherent competitive nature in each athlete. It is a circuit that stands the test of time and will always have some kind of story to be told no matter the class or season. Between immense pressure, colossal battles in and out of corners, sly moves up the inside and swift attempts at breaking away, the possibilities have and will continue to be endless here.

Like all great battles, some sadly come to a tragic halt. In 2016 we were confronted with a horrific accident that left us all in denial. On Friday the 3rd of June 2016 at turn 13 (the stadium section), Spanish Moto2 rider Luis Salom suffered a lethal crash during Free Practice 2. It, along with turns 3 and 14 are notorious for their high speed characteristics. As a result of this, Dorna, IRTA and the circuit themselves joined forces and decided it was time to make modifications to this turn. In 2018, the gravel trap became bigger and wider to accommodate to any future incidents and the service road was moved slightly further back. In addition over the course of the weekend, a stunning graffiti mural was composed to pay tribute to an a young man lost too soon. Two years on, in the midst of adversity you can sense the juxtaposition of support and heartache in the stadium section. It is a part of the track where Luis Salom will always live on and fans will never cease to praise these truly special athletes.

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