The 2014 MotoGP World Championship is moving into its decisive phase, with a hectic five-round dash to the finish over the next seven weeks. Two rounds in Spain – the GP of Aragón and the GP of Valencia on November 9th – bookend three overseas rounds (Japan, Australia and Malaysia) during the month of October. This weekend therefore the Aragón circuit will be the venue for the fourteenth round of the season.

Situated close to the town of Alcañiz, the circuit will welcome MotoGP for the fifth time, after it joined the championship calendar in 2010. MotorLand Aragón is a modern facility, housing a tricky circuit that goes in a counter-clockwise direction. It includes two long straights and seventeen corners, as well as a couple of up-and-down sections.

The Ducati Team will arrive in Spain off the back of a test on Tuesday 23rd September at the Mugello circuit in Tuscany during which Andrea Dovizioso, together with his future team-mate Andrea Iannone, were able to shakedown the ‘evolution’ version of their Desmosedici, called GP14.2, for the first time. The two Italian riders will continue to test the bike during the Aragón race weekend.

Dovizioso has taken part in every edition of the GP of Aragón, his best result being a third place in 2012, while Crutchlow’s best finish was a fourth place in 2012 in the three times he has raced at Aragón.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04)

“Aragón is a strange track: it’s not one of my favourite circuits, but we have been going really well in the last few races this year on tracks with very different characteristics and so I also expect to go well at Aragón, just like we did at Silverstone and above all at Misano, which was a really special race. We are now becoming a more competitive reality and I am very happy with our constant progress.”

Cal Crutchlow (Ducati Team #35)

“I can take some positives to Aragón of being able to ride the bike well again during the weekend and finish the race. In terms of my riding style, I quite like the circuit, I’ve had some good battles there in the past and results haven’t been too bad. I think the more flowing corners that Aragón has got are a little bit more suited to my style anyway and we know the Ducati is good in the braking zone so hopefully we can benefit in those areas.”

The MotorLand Aragón Circuit

The ultra-modern MotorLand Aragón facility had its roots firmly established thanks to a solid history of street racing in Alcañiz, which hosted events between 1963 and 2003. The need for greater safety led to the proposal and construction of a sporting complex dedicated to motorsport in the area. With support from local institutions, renowned German architect Hermann Tilke was commissioned to design the facility. The circuit, which is just over 5 km long and has 17 turns, was roundly praised by riders after its first Grand Prix in 2010.