MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia is cautious, despite being the favourite. Surf fun on the reservoir for World Championship riders, including Lukas Tulovic. Charity Run and Pit Lane Walk open the off-track programme.
Let the grand anniversary celebrations at the Sachsenring begin! On Thursday, the 25th Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany in a row to be held at the iconic circuit in Hohenstein-Ernstthal opened with the press conference and official pre-event at the Oberwald reservoir. The big question ahead of the MotoGP race at the Sachsenring is: Who can deny Ducati and world champion Francesco Bagnaia their next victory?
Italian Bagnaia won both the sprint and the main race at his home Grand Prix in Mugello last weekend. He now leads the world championship with a 21-point advantage over compatriot Marco Bezzecchi from the Ducati customer team of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. Bagnaia holds the lap record at the Sachsenring – a time of 1:19.765, which he set twelve months ago in the third free practice session. “Last year the performance was there. We were competitive on the Friday, then secured pole position on the Saturday. However, everyone knows what happened in the race: I crashed,” says Bagnaia, recalling last year’s DNF.
The Ducati start regularly thinks back to last year’s crash, particularly “when I feel that we must be more focussed.” For this reason, Bagnaia is keen to use the momentum he currently has. He outlined the approach he is taking to the LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany: “It is important to start as we left off in Mugello. We will try to challenge for the win. But it will not be easy. I am confident that the performance is there and we can be right up there with the top riders.”
Marc Marquez hoping for a podium in the Grand Prix
One of the top riders at the Sachsenring is traditionally MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez. The Spaniard has won the Grand Prix of Germany the last eleven times he has started. However, the prospect of another Marquez seems a long shot, as the opposition is currently better positioned to triumph. However, the eight-time world champion has always impressed with his exceptional skill at the Sachsenring: “I am excited to see how it goes here. Particularly because I was unable to show what I am capable of at the two circuits that really suit me – in Argentina and Austin – because injury kept me out of those races,” says Marquez. “This is the first track this year, on which I feel comfortable from the very first practice. Unfortunately, I have crashed in both the last two Sunday races. That obviously takes its toll on your confidence. However, I am in a good place mentally coming into the Sachsenring, and want to finish on the podium on Sunday.” This year, Marquez is yet to complete a Grand Prix race – all his points have come in the shorter sprints on the Saturday.
Pre-Event, Pit Lane Walk and Charity Run kick off entertaining off-track programme for fans
Many fans flocked to the Sachsenring on Thursday, and used the Pit Lane Walk to get close to their favourite stars. There was also a fantastic atmosphere and great anticipation ahead of the LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany at the camping areas around the circuit. As has become tradition, the Charity Run on Wednesday was very popular. This year, proceeds from the limited number of tickets on sale for the Charity Run go to Kinderarche Sachsen.
In the morning, a number of World Championship riders warmed up, despite the cold water, with a fun Motosurf race on the Oberwald reservoir. Germany’s Lukas Tulovic and Belgian Barry Baltus from Moto2, Moto3 riders Daniel Holgado and Xavi Artigas from Spain, and Swiss MotoE rider Randy Krummenacher gave it their all on spectacular Motosurf boards.
Hans-Georg Anscheidt is officially a MotoGP legend
MotoGP also welcomed a new member into its official Hall of Fame today: Hans-Georg Anscheidt is the 38th rider to officially be declared a MotoGP legend. The 87-year-old won the world title in the 50cc class in 1966, 1967 and 1968. He also won the first Grand Prix in the history of this class in 1962, at the Spanish Grand Prix on Montjuïc in Barcelona. Before today, Toni Mang was the only German motorcycle racer to officially be a member of the MotoGP Hall of Fame.
On the track, the action gets underway at 08:30 on Friday with the first MotoE practice session. The electric motorcycle racing series is back at the Sachsenring for the first time since 2019. Back then, the MotoE world premiere featured on the support programme for the LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany. All the World Championship classes, including MotoE and the Northern Talent Cup, will complete two practice sessions on the opening day. The riders in the electric series and the stars of tomorrow return to the track in the early evening for qualifying.
All motorcycle fans can also look forward to the vintage motorcycle exhibition from 09:00 on Friday, and the Red Bull racing circus from 10:00. From 19:00, the Kart Hall at the Goldbachstraße entrance will be transformed into a party mile: top-notch entertainment will be provided by ABBA and Bee Gees tribute bands. The new Dekra Big Wheel is open all day and offers spectacular views of the area around the Sachsenring.
The remaining available tickets for one Germany’s biggest individual sporting events are available through all the usual channels: from the online ticket shop at adac.de/motogp, by phoning the hotline on 03723/8099111, or by E-mail to info@sachsenring-event.de.
