OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
In some ways it feels like the WorldSBK Championship first visited MotorLand Aragon to race just a few of years ago . But it has been a decade . Maybe this is due to the venue ’ s vast scale and unique modern design , as MotorLand still impresses with its freshness and the quality of its conception and execution . This complete modernity is in stark contrast to the historic town of Alcañiz , just across the flat valley and perched proudly on top of the next hill along . With its converted ancient Monastery and traditional medieval town centre , Alcañiz has clearly been an important local centre for some time . The nearest big cities are some distance away , but still close enough for fans to travel to MotorLand to worship the gods of speed , as they used to in the Guadalope Urban street races that took place between the walls and roadsigns of the old town , before the multi-use modern circuit was even conceived , never mind built . Surrounded by kart tracks , off road courses , and other facilities for all forms of wheeled activity , the modern MotorLand was an ambitious build , especially in a country with many world class venues dotted all around it . But , it was different to most others , in any territory . When other European circuits had been , and continued to be , almost ‘ stadium style ’ in approach , Aragon was built like an outdoor IMAX movie theatre , the big skies and red earth all around allowing the layout to stretch and breathe , its ambitions being realised in vast areas of wide asphalt . They called it MotorLand Aragon for a reason , as it is more than just a race venue , it is a major sports and technical facility , designed to bring in visitors in all year , and to host lots of offseason testing as well as major races . MotorLand can gets cold at night in the winter - yes , even in sunny Spain - at an elevation of well over 300 metres above sea level , but MotorLand is a well-used and respected test venue . All who visit are impressed by the circuit layout , which features a number of options , including the one now used by WorldSBK and MotoGP™ alike . A modern facility with all primary and secondary safety aspects considered in its design , MotorLand is now very firmly on the global motorsports map . Dorna being the Championship organisers does not hurt this progressive development , naturally , but MotorLand has already welcomed Spanish World Champions , from Carlos Checa in WorldSBK in 2011 to WorldSSP3000 champions Marc Garcia in 2017 , Ana Carrasco in 2018 and Manuel Gonzalez in 2019 , to race in front of their home fans . There is even a corner , Carlos Checa Curve , named after Spain ’ s WorldSBK Championship winner at MotorLand , located at what used to be simply Turn Three . Look out for the metal ‘ Number 7 ’ statue there as the riders flash by it on your TV screens . If you are quick … This is the first time MotorLand has started the WorldSBK Championship and we
All who visit are impressed by the circuit layout , which features a number of options , including the one now used by WorldSBK and
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MotoGP™ alike .
are of course starting way later than we normally would , in any case . But Dorna and Spain ’ s continued relationship with the once remote and curious WorldSBK Championship will eventually run to four individual rounds in Spain this season . They are Aragon , a new venue at Navarra , Catalunya and then Jerez . In overall Iberian terms , there will also be not one but two Portuguese rounds again . Estoril is one week after this very MotorLand event and Portimao is the final round in Europe , in early October . It is an unavoidable fact inherent in our ‘ new normal ’ of Covid that you the fans and supporters of the Championship cannot visit MotorLand to drink in its vastness and unique character this weekend . Everybody misses you , be assured of that . With such a long back straight , of almost a kilometre , you might think Aragon ’ s 5km plus layout always rewards those with the absolute fastest bike . This is often the case but a run through the history of who has won at MotorLand , and how often , brings the realisation that ‘ Chaz Davies ’ track ’ has in fact featured no fewer than eight different race winning riders , across 25 individual race starts . BMWs , Aprilias , Yamahas , Ducatis and Kawasakis have all been race winners there . Chaz has won seven MotorLand races , which is indeed more than anyone else , but that is not the full story at all . His archrival Jonathan Rea has won six , for example . 2020 rookie Scott Redding has won two already , and first time race winner Michael Ruben Rinaldi chose MotorLand to take his first full points score . Who wins at MotorLand Aragon in 2021 we will find out soon enough , but as the opening venue for the WorldSBK Championship , it is only fitting that a circuit that is as big , fast and expansive as the traditional opener at Phillip Island in Australia takes over the status of the first round in 2021
EXCITING CONTENT
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