World champion Francesco Bagnaia is out to continue his winning run. Marc Márquez rejects favourite role at the Sachsenring. Pit walk and BplusL Charity Run again attract many visitors.
The 85th Grand Prix on German soil is up and running: the activities around the iconic Sachsenring got underway with the successful BplusL Charity Run on Wednesday evening and the popular pit walk and traditional press conference on Thursday. The question on everyone’s lips: who can stop the in-form world champion Francesco Bagnaia from the Ducati Lenovo Team.
The Italian has won the last three Grands Prix in Barcelona, Mugello and Assen, closing to within just ten points of championship leader and last year’s runner-up Jorge Martin. “We will definitely try to continue where we left off,” Bagnaia said. “Last year, we had a chance to beat Jorge on the Sunday. However, he defended his position very well in the closing laps. I enjoyed the battle with him.” Spaniard Martín crossed the finish line just 0.064 seconds ahead of Bagnaia in 2023. This was the second closest finish ever witnessed by the pinnacle of motorcycle racing at the Sachsenring.
Jorge Martín: I am a better rider than last year
The championship leader from Prima Pramac Racing is not lacking confidence this year. “I am a better rider than last year,” says Martín. “However, it will be a big challenge battling with Pecco and Marc Márquez. They will be strong here. However, I am confident and feeling good. Last year went well for me, and I hope I can repeat that.” Márquez has switched to the Ducati camp with Gresini Racing MotoGP, and is back challenging regularly at the front of the field. Will he claim his first victory for the Italian manufacturer in Germany?
“I only have a chance if I have a perfect weekend,” says Márquez, rejecting any billing as a possible favourite. “We will definitely give it 100 percent and then see whether we have a slight chance of victory with our package. However, we have to remain realistic. I have obviously won often here in the past. But there are now two riders who have raised the bar since Barcelona. And I cannot match that.”
BplusL Charity Run: Big proceeds for a good cause
On Wednesday evening, the traditional BplusL Charity Run kicked off a weekend full of action at the Sachsenring. Proceeds from the sale of a limited number of tickets again go to a good cause this year. A total of € 20,000 were raised for the transplant centre at University Hospital Leipzig. Partner BplusL doubled that amount to € 40,000.
Many fans also flocked to Ankerberg on Wednesday. The entertainment continues well into the night during the three-day Ankerberg Festival at the party stronghold near the Sachsenring. On Thursday, a large number of fans travelled to the Sachsenring and got close to the stars on the pit walk. There was also a great atmosphere and great anticipation ahead of the Liqui Moly Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany at the campsites.
Motorcycle exhibition and Red Bull Racing Circus open on Friday
On Friday, the action at the 3.7-kilometre Sachsenring gets underway at 08:30 with the first practice session of the MotoE World Championship. The electric racing series had its world premiere five years ago at the Liqui Moly Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany. Two free practices are scheduled in all the world championship classes, as well as the Northern Talent Cup. The MotoE World Championship and the junior racing series, which is supported by the ADAC, bring the day to a close with their qualifying sessions. In Stefan Bradl, Marcel Schrötter and Lukas Tulovic, three local favourites will also be in action.
There is also plenty on offer away from the racetrack on Friday. The vintage motorcycle exhibition opposite paddock 2 and the Red Bull Racing Circus in paddock 3 open their doors in the morning. In the evening, the Kart Hall will be transformed into a large party area with DJ Newtronic and “Biba und die Butzemänner” live on stage, presented by MDR Sachsen. The European Championship quarter-final between Germany and Spain will be shown on big screens in the Kart Hall and in front of the Kart Hall at 18:00.
Remaining tickets for one of the biggest individual sporting events in Germany are available through all the usual channels: in the online shop at adac.de/motogp, by phone on 03723/8099111, or by E-mail to info@sachsenring-event.de.
