Faster, Louder - Up Close and Personal at My First MotoGP Race

Off to the races

It’s 3:30AM and my alarm has managed to wake me up. Getting my eyes open and focusing properly however, is not coming too easily. It was only an hour ago that I fell asleep and everything still feels exactly the same as it did when I went to bed. I need to get to the airport, good things await on the other end. I will myself up. Austin, Texas and the third round of the MotoGP Championship is a big enough carrot, not to mention the fact that Ducati USA would be hosting me down there. It’s dark, cool and rainy as I load into the back of the airport taxi. I’m greeted by the eau de driver, not at all what I needed at this time in the morning. I wish I had coffee. I’m smiling though, just get me to Texas.

I’ve been a MotoGP fan for over a decade now, but despite a couple attempts had never made it to see a race in person. Needless to say, when the opportunity to go to the Circuit Of The Americas fell in my lap I was more than stoked. It all came together fairly last minute and truthfully, I was waiting for a stick to get jammed in my spokes, but it didn’t, and the next thing I know I'm on my way to Texas. I also get to experience Ducati Island while there, another reason to be excited. I’ve owned a Ducati since 2009 and if ever I was to be marooned on an island, Ducati Island sounds like a good bet to me (at least there would be a chance for some good coffee).

Sunshine and broken bones

I arrive in Austin with little fuss. Ok, that’s not entirely true, the US Border Protection and Customs lines at Pearson airport in Toronto were ridiculous and despite leaving myself what I thought to be ample time I barely made my flight (oh the angry people in those lines that weren’t so fortunate!). The sun is shining and as I walk out of the airport I’m greeted by some lovely Texas heat. With the forecast back home calling for yet another dumping of spring snow, I'm clearly in the right place. Already I’m loving this assignment.

I get to my hotel, have a bite to eat and let my Ducati contact know I’ve arrived as he would be collecting my credentials for me later that afternoon. I'm probably the only person in the hotel with the air conditioning off and the windows wide open, I'm still enjoying the novelty of warm weather as I get some work done in my room. As the day winds down I still haven’t heard back from my Ducati guy, strange. Finally a message pops up from him. He never made it to Austin. Instead he’s in hospital with a list of broken bones, including his nose, orbital and both arms after getting hit by a car on his bicycle. Holy shit dude! He’s just getting out of surgery and messaging me with info on my new contact so I can get on with my weekend as planned. How’s that for taking care of people!

Hello COTA, nice to meet you

As the uninspiring countryside surrounding the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) gives way to the rise of the iconic tower that sits in the middle of the circuit, I’m feeling pretty excited to see what this place is all about. Completed in 2012, it’s a world-class circuit, built to the highest specification. The track itself is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long, with twenty turns and an elevation change of 133 feet (41 m).

As I get closer to the track I can hear the distant rumble of the Moto3 bikes, just out for their first free practice session. Pulling onto the main road the highest point of the circuit comes into view, the unique first turn that sees riders climb from the start line to the apex of the corner positioned on the crest of the hill. I end up with a bit of running around to do and calls to make before I can get myself through the gates and in this time the exhaust notes of the bikes out on track change dramatically, MotoGP is now in session. While the Moto3 bikes actually have a much deeper and louder sound to them than I was expecting, the sound of the MotoGP bikes is incredible. For any petrolhead, the refined yet ferocious MotoGP machines are really something to behold. I’m still on the outside looking in at this point, so the anticipation is really building. As the Moto2 bikes hit the track for their first free practice session, I’m finally through the gates.

Behind the scenes of Ducati Corse

Despite the complications with getting in initially, once in the hands of the fine folks at Ducati USA things start going in the right direction. I get a brief introduction to Ducati Island and then, “meet me back here in 45 minutes, we’ll head down for a garage tour”. Ok, yes, I can do that, certainly.

It’s a bit of a hike from the infield area where Ducati Island is housed to get over to the pits, but a chance to see the circuit from a few different vantage points. Crossing the bridge over turn 16 provides a great view of the track underneath and the blazing stars and stripes that burst out from the curb through that turn. The relatively fresh asphalt, colourful curbs and run-off areas make COTA a picturesque track.

Once we pass through security and into the paddock area I notice there’s only one garage with a large crowd of people gathered around it. Any guesses? Yep, its all for Valentino Rossi. The nine-time World Champion’s fan base can be felt throughout the circuit. No other rider has the level of support and fanaticism as The Doctor. I’ve always been a fan, so it's pretty cool that I would later end up at an exclusive Red Bull party on Sunday night only a few feet away from the man himself.

A short wait outside the Ducati garage ensues. I’m amused watching one of the Pramac Ducati mechanics cleaning some pieces of bodywork while passersby stop to watch, take photos and discuss whose bike these parts are off of and how they think that rider could go faster around this circuit. I’m wondering what the mechanics think of all the photos that get taken of them doing relatively menial tasks. I take some photos of the relatively menial tasks being done.

Inside the Ducati garage the doors to pit lane are closed and the team of mechanics and technicians are calmly working on Andrea Iannone's and Andrea Dovizioso’s bikes. Standing in front of these prototype machines is like standing in front of a stunning sculpture; you’re first struck with the overall impact and beauty and then you start tracing all of the lines and examining the intricate details. We discuss the winglets that are different for this round (side note: I hate the look of winglets on motorcycles) and get the run-down of what’s going on and the work that goes into keeping the bikes prepped for each session. I’m about to raise my camera to sneak some photos, but am told no photos allowed. This one’s just for the memory banks.

I spend the rest of my day Friday walking to various parts of the track, checking out the vendor area and spending time at Ducati Island where an endless supply of espresso awaits (I told you there would be good coffee). As the Superbike qualifying session begins on track, I decide it’s time to head back to my hotel for a brief stop before heading downtown for the Handbuilt Show. I end up sharing an Uber with Bucky, he’s carved out a nice little niche for himself getting all manner of bikes going sideways and shooting kick-ass photos and videos, with an Instagram following of over 46,000 (bucky_sacrilege). Not too surprising we spend the trip chatting about riding, bikes and the storage "issues" that come along with having a bike for every purpose.

Check the link below for my rundown of the Handbuilt Show and short track racing, it was a blast:

For more on my Ducati Island experience:

Qualifying

Saturday is qualifying. The weather is looking a little ominous. Sure enough, the rain comes. I take refuge just outside the Ducati garage where the upper fairing/cowl of Dovizioso’s GP16 is being worked on. Again there’s a small crowd taking interest, the winglets being the biggest topic of discussion. I’m waiting to get in for lunch at the Ducati hospitality suite, but the riders are in there for a meeting at the moment, clearly not the time for some nosey journalists to enter. As you might expect, the Italians don’t mess around when it comes to feeding the team and their guests. Inside the hospitality suite is a delicious spread of food, colour coordinated everything (down to the rosso garbage cans) and of course espresso. I really wanted to steal a set of the Ducati branded placemats, but figured that would be in poor taste.

Around the circuit there’s noticeably more people in attendance. The day’s practice and qualifying sessions provide for some great spectating as riders dial in their machines, get more comfortable with the track and start pushing harder and harder to reach the top of the time sheets.

The first qualifying session is for Moto3. What used to be the 125cc two-stroke class is now made up entirely of single-cylinder 250cc four-strokes. Wow do these look like fun machines. As I mentioned earlier, I was pretty surprised by the impressive sound these bikes make; a much deeper, louder and stronger sounding exhaust note than I was expecting. Don’t be fooled by them being 250cc singles, these bikes make about 55bhp with top speeds in excess of 230 km/h (144 mph) and in the hands of the world’s best up-and-coming riders make for some exciting racing. Germany’s Philipp Oettl snagged pole position aboard his Schedl GP Racing KTM.

Next up is MotoGP. Since the inaugural MotoGP race at COTA in 2013, Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez has taken every pole and won every race. So far this weekend he’s shown no signs that this is about to change. Luckily the rain seems to have moved on and it should be a dry session. The MotoGP riders get a 30 minute free practice, followed by two qualifying sessions of 15 minutes each. The factory Ducatis show their outright speed, with both Dovizioso and Iannone logging top speeds of 342 km/h. The two Yamahas of Lorenzo and Rossi slot into 2nd and 3rd on the grid respectively, with of course, Marc Marquez securing yet another pole position. Can anyone stop him on race day?

Finally the Moto2 riders hit the track for the final qualifying session of the day. Launched in 2010 to replace the 250 cc two-stroke class, Moto2 machines are 600 cc four-strokes with engines supplied exclusively by Honda. It’s a highly competitive class with riders hoping to make the transition to the MotoGP ranks. At around 140 bhp, the top speed in qualifying from the Moto2 machines was 283.5 km/h, with pole position belonging to Alex Rins.

The stage is now set for race day. The weather looks like it should cooperate, mostly overcast but it looks like rain won’t be an issue.

View from above

Standing at 251 feet high, the impressive tower that looms over the Circuit Of The Americas is more than just a statement that this is Texas and we like to do things big here, it’s a pretty bitchin’ vantage point of the whole track. I’m standing on the observation deck of the tower, 230 feet above the track, peering through the glass floor as the Moto3 race gets underway. The glass floor provides a view that feels as though you’re nearly directly over the track, so it’s pretty cool watching as the bikes carve through the turn below. You get a full 360-degree panorama of the circuit, and is well worth the trip up if you ever find yourself at COTA.

Celebrity encounters

The plan is to watch the MotoGP race from one of the suites that sits above pit lane. While the finagling for the appropriate credentials is taken care I end up at the Alpinestars hospitality area for some lunch (I know, you were dying to hear where I was going eat). On my way in I find Jamie Robinson, best known as MotoGeo (motogeo.com). If you’ve ever watched any of his videos, you likely have a sense of the genuine passion he has for motorcycling. We chatted about some of the projects he’s been working on and the incredible motorcycle adventures he gets the opportunity to share with people. He said that it’s not just the multi-day excursions to remote places that he loves, but also the fun day-trips that are accessible to just about anyone; he simply wants to inspire people to get out on their motorcycles.

The Alpinestars suite is clearly the place to be, as I sit down to eat and watch Moto2 on the TV I’m joined at the table by Ben Spies (former factory MotoGP rider) and Keanu Reeves (like whoa). Keanu isn’t just a celeb with a casual interest in motorcycles, he’s a true enthusiast with his very own brand, Arch Motorcycle Company (archmotorcycle.com). I didn't bother either of them for a selfie, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Finally, it's race time

We make our way through all the security that leads to the suite we’ll watch the race from. There’s passes to be scanned, holes to be punched in said passes and wristbands to be put on. Definitely no chance of just looking like you’re supposed to be there to get through. We get into the suite, grab drinks and I spot the balcony that overlooks the pit lane and start/finish straight and head directly for the row of empty seats right at the front. I know where I want to watch the race from. Just after I sit down I’m back on my feet hanging over the edge of the balcony, the MotoGP riders are heading out of pit lane.

The riders all make their way around the track and then form up on the grid. It’s that all familiar scene from years of watching on TV, the swarm of people on the grid as riders try to prepare themselves for battle. The sun, that’s been elusive for most of the day, appears from behind the clouds as the riders head out for the warm up lap. One-by-one they return to the grid. Twenty of the world’s fastest riders on twenty of the world’s greatest motorcycles along with over 50,000 fans sit waiting for the start of the Grand Prix Of The Americas. The revs come up, the lights go out and the sound, as it echoes between where I’m sitting and the grandstands across the track, is deafeningly glorious. As they come down the start/finish straight for the end of the first lap and scream passed where I’m standing, I’m in heaven.

The start of the race shows some promise, with Marquez, Lorenzo and Rossi all getting away well at the front. On the third lap a collective gasp can be felt, Rossi has crashed out. Marquez starts to stretch out his lead, Lorenzo settles into second. Dani Pedrosa takes out Dovizioso (poor Dovi in the wrong place at the wrong time again for the second race in a row). There’s a few crashes, some good racing between the two Suzukis and a strong ride by Andrea Iannone into third place, but otherwise the race settles into a fairly boring affair. In the end Marc is 6 seconds clear of Jorge. Marquez's domination on American soil is truly impressive, I certainly don’t want to take anything away from that, but as fans we want to see close racing and unfortunately this race just didn't deliver on that.

Final thoughts

Despite the less-than-exciting race, it was incredible to be there for it in person. It might sound cliché, but nothing compares to watching a race up close. The true sense of speed is staggering, the sound a symphony of mechanical mastery. The chosen few who pilot these machines, pushing them to the absolute limit (and often beyond), exude an aura of modern gladiators. I can’t wait to go to another.

More in-depth analysis of the races:

motomatters.com