Marco Bezzecchi
The Grand Prix of Spain has seen some unforgettable moments over the years, so MotoGP News has looked at the top five moments.
The race has been a mainstay on the MotoGP calendar, with the riders racing around Jerez circuit in Spain which has played host to every race since 1989.
Valentino Rossi is the most successful rider at Jerez, having won there seven times across the MotoGP and premier class eras of the sport.
Below is a list of the five best moments from over the years, including thrilling battles between some of MotoGP’s greatest riders.
Mick Doohan and Alex Criville take it to the final corner in 1996
Home star Alex Criville received a lot of support from the crowd, so they were naturally cheering him on throughout most of the race when he was leading.
World Champion Mick Doohan attempted a move at the stadium section on the final lap, but the crowd had invaded the track. As the pair emerged unscathed, Doohan lunged at the final corner.
Just as Doohan accelerated out of the corner, Criville opened the throttle and highsided out of the race just a few hundred metres from the final line. It was a dramatic end to the race, with Doohan going on to take another 11 podiums that year.
Valentino Rossi duels with Sete Gibernau in 2005
Valentino Rossi is one of MotoGP’s most legendary racers and Jerez was always a successful proving ground for him.
Sete Gibernau was looking for a win on home soil at the opening race of the 2005 season, and was caught up in an intense battle with Rossi.
Rossi went into the final corner with Gibernau and forced his way up the inside, punting Gibernau wider and into the gravel. The Italian crossed the line first, while Gibernau limped across the gravel and finished in second place.
Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner create drama in the wet in 2011
Casey Stoner was the rider to beat in 2011 and he met his match with Valentino Rossi in 2011, when the pair battled for the win in the wet conditions.
Rossi was looking for success having struggled with the Ducati and attempted to pass Stoner at Turn 1 eight laps into the race. Rossi fell off his bike attempting the move, taking Stoner with him.
Stoner was taken out on the spot while Rossi continued, with Jorge Lorenzo going on to win the race from Dani Pedrosa. It was also the final podium for Nicky Hayden, who was promoted to third after race leader Marco Simoncelli fell in the closing stages.
Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo battle in 2013
Marc Marquez was in his rookie season in 2013 and had already caused some heads to turn with his podium in Qatar and win in Austin.
In Jerez he added to his impressive season when duelling with Jorge Lorenzo, seeing a gap at the penultimate corner and going for it against his fellow Spanish rider on the final lap.
Marquez collided with Lorenzo attempting to complete the move, leading to the latter refusing to shake hands after the race.
Fabio Quartararo wins his first MotoGP race in 2020
It was the first Grand Prix after MotoGP was put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it became a historical race.
Fabio Quartararo was up against Marc Marquez, but the Honda rider made a mistake and dropped from the lead down to 16th place.
Although Maverick Vinales took the lead from this point, it was Quartararo who would go on to take it from him in the closing stages, taking his maiden victory in the premier class.
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