Moto2 - Valencia

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia hosts the Moto2 World Championship race as part of the Valencia Grand Prix. This Spanish circuit provides the backdrop for what promises to be a crucial race in the championship season. Located in Cheste, approximately 20 kilometers west of Valencia city, the venue delivers a technical challenge that tests riders across all skill areas.

Circuit Ricardo Tormo Overview

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo was built in 1999 and honors Ricardo Tormo, a Spanish two-time 50cc Motorcycle World Champion who passed away from leukemia in 1998. The track measures 4.005 kilometers in length and runs anti-clockwise. Riders navigate 14 turns that combine slow and medium-speed corners with elevation changes. The main straight extends 0.876 kilometers.

The circuit underwent a complete renewal in July 2023. This work included a new surface and updated track boundaries. The venue now features AI-supported precision cameras that detect vehicles traveling over 300 km/h, which enhances safety and competition fairness.

Stadium-Style Design

The circuit uses a unique stadium-style layout. Spectators in any grandstand seat can view the entire track. This design allows fans to follow every lap and every position change. The circuit holds 165,000 spectators total, with 125,000 seated positions available.

Moto2 Race Format

The Valencia Moto2 race follows the standard championship format. The weekend includes two 40-minute free practice sessions. The 14 fastest riders from the combined results advance directly to Qualifying 2. This 15-minute session determines the top 18 grid positions. The remaining riders compete in Qualifying 1, where the four fastest also progress to Q2.

Each grid row consists of three riders. To qualify, a rider must set a lap time within 110% of the fastest rider's time. The warm-up session has been abolished from the Moto2 schedule. Friday sessions now serve purely as Free Practice without timed qualifying.

Confirmed Participants for 2026

Several teams and riders have confirmed their participation in the 2026 Moto2 World Championship season. ELF Marc VDS Racing Team fields Arón Canet and Deniz Öncü. Italtrans Racing Team runs Adrian Huertas and Daniel Muñoz. BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha features Izan Guevara and Alberto Ferrández.

Red Bull KTM Ajo enters José Antonio Rueda and Collin Veijer. MSi Racing Team includes Angel Piqueras and Ivan Ortola. SpeedRS Team operates Celestino Vietti and Luca Lunetta. RW Racing GP fields Ayumu Sasaki and Zonta van den Goorbergh. IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia runs Taiyo Furusato and Mario Aji.

Fantic Racing brings Tony Arbolino to their lineup. Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP retains their current two riders. ITALJET Gresini Moto2 will feature an all-new rider lineup. Wildcard entries remain permitted in the Moto2 class for the season.

Technical Regulations

Moto2 maintains a one-make engine philosophy that emphasizes rider skill over machine advantages. All bikes use a 765cc three-cylinder Triumph engine that produces approximately 140 HP. Each rider selects from seven engines for the entire season.

Teams choose their chassis from specialized constructors such as Kalex or Boscoscuro. A standardized electronic management system is supplied to all teams by the championship promoter. Riders receive 8 front and 9 rear tires for each race weekend.

Performance Specifications

The combined minimum weight for bike and rider is 217 kg. Moto2 bikes reach maximum speeds around 295 km/h. The class prohibits carbon discs, requiring steel discs instead. Electronic rider aids like traction control are excluded from the class. This restriction highlights pure riding talent, tire management, and braking precision.

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo is considered a medium-demand track for braking. Each lap contains 10 braking zones. Turn 1 presents the most challenging braking point, requiring bikes to decelerate from 328 km/h to 133 km/h over 234 meters in just 3.9 seconds.

Circuit History and Legacy

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo opened on September 19, 1999. Since then, it has consistently hosted the final race of the Motorcycle World Championship across all classes, including MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. This position has given the circuit a reputation as a crucial venue where championships are often decided.

Spanish riders have achieved significant success at this circuit over the years. The venue was voted "Best GP of 2005" by IRTA. Beyond motorcycle racing, the circuit has hosted World Superbike, GP2, DTM, WTCC, and Formula 1 testing. In 2021, the circuit hosted a Formula E race on a modified layout, marking the first time an ePrix took place on a permanent race circuit.

Notable Circuit Features

The circuit appears in numerous video games, including Tourist Trophy, Gran Turismo PSP, Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano, GTR Evolution, rFactor, and every MotoGP game since 1999. The most recent recreation appeared in Assetto Corsa Competizione in 2023.

For the 2026 season, new rules proposed by Dorna may relocate the Moto2 and Moto3 classes from their traditional pitlane spots. These classes might move to new, self-contained temporary facilities elsewhere in the paddock, similar to how Formula 1's support series operate.

What to Expect from Valencia Moto2

The Valencia Moto2 race at Circuit Ricardo Tormo offers a complete test of rider ability. The technical layout requires precise cornering, strong braking performance, and smart tire management. The anti-clockwise direction and elevation changes add complexity to setup choices. The stadium-style design means every move on track is visible to fans.

The race frequently plays a decisive role in championship outcomes. Riders face pressure to perform while managing risk on a circuit that demands precision. The combination of fast straights and tight corners creates opportunities for overtaking and close racing. This Valencia event showcases the best of Moto2 competition on Spanish soil.