MotoGP: Red Bull Ring recives award for the best race of 2016

The "NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich" has left its mark on the Kitzbühel ski racing weekend at the Hahnenkamm peak. After Marc Márquez’s spectacular show run it was time for a special award: Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and IRTA President Hervé Poncharal had come to officially award Dietrich Mateschitz the prize for the best MotoGP race of 2016 in the Red Bull Energy Station at the Streif slope’s start hut. “The Austrian GP’s organisers can be very proud of themselves,” Ezepeleta declared. Despite the fact that the decision is always a difficult one, the Red Bull Ring was “clearly in a different league,” for Poncharal.

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The Austrian GP as a reference

Carmelo Ezpeleta even regards the Red Bull Ring as a reference for the entire MotoGP: “It didn’t really come as a surprise that the Austrian Grand Prix was named Best Race of 2016. From now on, this GP should be the standard for all future MotoGP events.” Ezpeleta was equally impressed with the fans and with the organisation. “The race track is well thought-out and wows with great infrastructure as well as awesome spectator areas around the entire circuit. The work areas, both in the paddock and the Media Center are equally impressive,”  the Spaniard continues.

Hervé Poncharal largely agrees. Despite the fact that this is traditionally a difficult decision, the Red Bull Ring was “clearly in a different league” for the Frenchman. “I would like to congratulate the organisers on behalf of  MotoGP, all teams, riders, mechanics and technicians. We are honoured to be able to present this little trophy that means a lot to all of us,”  the IRTA president concluded.

“Dear to the heart” MotoGP fills Mateschitz with pride

Visibly proud, Dietrich Mateschitz received the award and underlined: “Currently, the MotoGP series is the most thrilling and attractive racing series in the world and offers motorsports action in its purest and most fascinating form. It was always dear to our heart to once again make Austria host one of these outstanding races. The fact that we achieved this dream last year made us truly proud. Being awarded Best GP of the Year in the first year is the icing on the cake.”

Grand Prix Commission impressed by fans and landscape

In the summer of 2016, 215,850 spectators gave the Motorcycle Racing World Championship a warm welcome back to Austria, after a hiatus of 19 years. Ezpeleta is still thrilled by the fact that “all seats were sold out on race Sunday which proves the event’s enormous appeal.”. That’s why the Grand Prix Commission responsible for selecting the Best Race based its decision – among others – on the “great audience” as it states in its official statement. “The track’s spectacular Alpine setting provided a perfect backdrop for another phenomenal chapter in MotoGP history. The Red Bull Ring has thus surely secured itself a spot on the racing calendar,” the representatives of FIM, IRTA and Dorna continued.

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The premier class’ next outing on the Red Bull Ring will take place from 11 to 13 August, when the sport’s biggest names such as World Champion Marc Márquez, Valentino Rossi or Dani Pedrosa take to the track to provide awesome action and top-tier motorsports during the "NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich 2017", an event that will also see the initial home race for Austria’s very first MotoGP team: During the Austrian GP, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will roll its bikes up to the start line for the first time in front of a home crowd. Tickets for this motorsports highlight are already available HERE.