MotoGP heads to Mugello: Preview

May 28, 2015
3 min read

The sixth round of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship comes to the magnificent Mugello circuit in the Tuscan hills of Italy. Formerly know as the Nations Grand Prix, the event took place exclusively at Monza, before alternating with Imola, Mugello and Misano up until 1993. From 1994 onwards the Italian Grand Prix has been staged at Mugello, with a number of changes made to the track over the years to improve safety. Considered one of the best motorsport venues in the world, the Italian Grand Prix is one of the most popular races of the season, especially in the modern era thanks to a certain Doctor. The 5.2km circuit is one of the most challenging, mixing a blend of slow, fast, tight turns, multiple quick direction changes, and a massive 1141m straight connecting the final and first turns. Though tricky for both riders and engineers, the track lends itself to barnstorming races. Ducati look the strongest coming into this event. The horsepower of the GP15 will serve them well on the pit-straight (Andrea Iannone set the fastest ever speed recorded on a MotoGP bike here last year on a Ducati – 217mph). The team also tested at Mugello prior to the the French Grand Prix, so the odds are stacked in their favour. Yamaha also have a very good record here. Valentino Rossi has seven wins at the circuit, five of which on the M1. Jorge Lorenzo has three wins, and scored his sixth podium in succession last year. Both riders love this circuit, and both want to add to their tally of two wins in 2015. With Rossi leading the standings coming into this weekend and Ducati poised for their first win since the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, the 2015 Italian Grand Prix promises to be possibly the best of the season. Vital Stats:

Circuit Length – 5.2km (3.26mi)
Numbers of Turns – 15 (9 right, 6 left)
Longest Straight – 1141m
Number of Laps – 23
Top Speed – 349.6km/h
Average Speed – 173.8km/h
Circuit Record – 1:47.639 (Marc Marquez, 2013)
Fastest Lap – 1:47.157 (Dani Pedrosa, 2013)
Most Wins – Valentino Rossi (7 – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Most Poles – Valentino Rossi (5)

Past Five Winners:

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team RC213V, 2014
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha MotoGP Team YZR-M1, 2013
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha MotoGP Team YZR-M1, 2012
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha MotoGP Team, YZR-M1, 2011
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, RC211V, 2010

Classic Mugello Moment There have been many, many classic moments in MotoGP that have occurred at the Mugello circuit, but this week's is a real corker. Marc Marquez had sauntered to five straight wins by this stage of the season last year, and it seemed as if he was on course to shoot off into the distance once more. But thrice previous Italy winner Jorge Lorenzo made sure that his young compatriot didn't have the track all to his self. What ensued was one of the most enthralling duels of the decade, with the win being decided on the final lap of 23. Marquez fended off Lorenzo, but accomplished that day was that the world knew Marquez could be beaten if someone tried just hard enough. Weekend Schedule: Friday: Moto3 FP1 – 08:00-08:40 MotoGP FP1 – 08:55-09:40 Moto2 FP1 – 09:55-10:40 Moto3 FP2 – 12:10-12:50 MotoGP FP2 – 13:05-13:50 Moto2 FP2 – 14:05-14:50 Saturday: Moto3 FP3 – 08:00-08:40 MotoGP FP3 – 08:55-09:40 Moto2 FP3 – 09:55-10:40 MotoGP Qualifying – 11:35-12:15 MotoGP FP4 – 12:30-13:00 MotoGP Qualifying 1 – 13:10-13:25 MotoGP Qualifying 2 – 13:35-13:50 Moto2 Qualifying – 14:05-14:50 Sunday: Moto3 Warm Up – 07:40-08:00 Moto2 Warm Up – 08:10-08:30 MotoGP Warm Up – 08:40-09:00 Moto3 Race – 10:00 Moto2 Race – 11:20 MotoGP Race – 13:00