The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team travelled straight from Le Mans, France, to MotorLand Aragón in Spain for Round 10 of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi will once again swing a leg over their YZR-M1s this weekend, for the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragón. Viñales is currently fourth in the championship standings, making him all the more intent on gunning for a top position this Sunday to bridge the 19-point gap to first.
The Aragon GP is a very special occasion for the Spaniard. Not only is it one of his ’home Grands Prix‘, he is also big fan of the circuit, which shows in his previous results at this track. He stood on the Aragon podium three times before. He secured a third place in 2011 in the 125cc class, a Moto3 second place finish in 2013, and a Moto2 victory in 2014.
Rossi intends to leave the French GP behind him and is set on making a telling comeback this weekend. He is in 13th place in the championship rankings, 57 points from the top, but feels strongly that he has the pace to climb further up the order.
The Italian lists the Aragon circuit as one of the more challenging tracks on the MotoGP calendar, but he has had a fair amount of success there. The Aragon round was added to the MotoGP calendar in 2010, and since then the nine-time World Champion stood on the podium three times, securing third places in the premier class in 2013, 2015, and 2016.
The MotorLand Aragón circuit is situated near the town of Alcañiz, a few hours’ drive from Barcelona. The fast 5.1km long track has ten left and seven right corners, and a 968m longest straight. It was given the IRTA Best Grand Prix of the Year award after MotoGP‘s first visit there, reflecting the riders’ and the fans’ appreciation of the venue.
