Grand Finale: Spielberg remains Ducati country

206.746 fans witnessed a thrilling race and crowned the new king of Spielberg.

The MotoGP’s 2018 visit to the Red Bull Ring is over! In bright sunshine, fans enjoyed the country’s biggest sporting event of the year and the biggest MotoGP race of the season! Tickets for the 2019 #AustrianGP are already available here!

RED BULL RING + DUCATI = AMORE

Jorge Lorenzo claimed victory at the Motorcycle Grand Prix of Austria – and made it three in a row for Ducati at the Red Bull Ring! In a brutally tough fight, the Spaniard defeated his future team-mate Marc Márquez to claim his third win of the season. Last year’s race winner Andrea Dovizioso had to settle for third place after fighting a losing battle against tyre wear.

Lorenzo and Márquez didn’t leave each other much breathing room at the sharp end of the field – Lorenzo felt today was one of his best victories. “He tried to pull a gap at the beginning and I had to push to stay close, but also conserve my tyres and the fuel. Then I had to attack but he was always there or thereabouts. In the last lap I risked everything and got past him on the outside. This was one of my best wins in MotoGP.”

MÁRQUEZ SATSFIED, KTM EARNS POINTS

Marc Márquez presented himself as a fair second placed man: “I tried to defend my position but he managed to come past. I think we delivered a good show and looking at the World Championship, I am satisfied.”

A strong performance by Bradley Smith on the KTM: Crossing the finish line in 14th position meant two World Championship points for this team’s home race.

KTM SCORES TWO PODIUMS IN MOTO2 AND MOTO3

The Moto2 race was won by Pecco Bagnaia (Kalex) in a total time of 37:45,914 minutes. With his victory, Bagnaia also takes the lead in the Moto2 World Championship. Miguel Oliveira (KTM, 37:46,178) rode home in second place ahead of Luca Marini (Kalex, 37:51,867). It was a bitter end to the race for Alex Márquez: He crashed on the last lap while in podium contention, earning himself another DNF. Race winner Bagnaia was ecstatic: “When I saw the chance to get past Oliveira, I just took it. I am super happy, especially as I could re-gain the lead in the World Championship.”

The victory in Moto3 went to Marco Bezzecchi (KTM) in a total race time of 37:13,198 minutes, half a second ahead of Enea Bastianini (Honda, 37:13.671) and Jorge Martin (Honda, 37:13.742). “It was a brilliant weekend, I was at the front the whole time,” said the beaming winner.

Miguel Oliveira and Bradley Smith went back to school for some local history lessons. Check the video to see how they performed.

THE THIRD SPIELBERG GRAND PRIX: HOW MOTORSPORT SHOULD BE

The third visit of the MotoGP World Championship to the Red Bull Ring will go down in history as yet another unforgettable experience, the country’s biggest sporting event and the best MotoGP race of the season. 206.746 fans celebrated one big party – both on the track and off! “Spielberg MotoGP Bike City” was jam packed with entertainment all weekend including autograph sessions, live concerts, DJ sets and FMX Shows.

VIP GUEST AT THE RACE TRACK

The MotoGP riders themselves weren’t the only celebrities in attendance this weekend. Spotted in the pits, in the stands and around the event were some famous names including Skistars Christof Innerhofer, Dominik Paris, Hannes Trinkl and Hans Knauß, record national rallye champion Raimund Baumschlager, Beach-Volleyball guru Hannes Jagerhofer, Musician Andreas Gabalier, Motorsport-Legend Dieter Quester and IGFC-boss Wolfgang Stropek. Prominent dignitaries also included ski legend Aksel Lund Svindal and MotoCross Freestyler Mat Rebeaud.

ONLY 365 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE NEXT RACE

Tickets for the 2019 edition are available NOW at www.projekt-spielberg.com/en/motogp/tickets! Next year’s racing highlight will take place from 9-11 August 2019 and it will be the fourth visit of the MotoGP World Championship to the Red Bull Ring. What can you expect? Thrilling races in the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships, prominent feeder series and an extensive supporting entertainment programme alongside the track!