Notes from the LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany

• Over 300 km/h at the Sachsenring: new speed record
• Moto2 celebrates its 200th race since the class was introduced
• Special design for “King of the Ring” Marc Marquez

Speed record: A motorcycle has been recorded travelling over 300 kilometres per hour at the “new” Sachsenring for the first time. The magic 300 km/h barrier was broken in the third free practice session on Saturday morning, when three Ducati riders – Frenchman Johann Zarco, Spain’s Jorge Martin and Australian Jack Miller – all set a new top speed record of 301.6 km/h.

Anniversary: The 200th Moto2 race since the class was introduced in 2010 will take place at the 2021 LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany. 44 riders have so far featured in the winners list in the middle class. The rider with the most wins to their name is Spaniard Marc Marquez (16 wins), followed by France’s Johann Zarco (15) and Marquez’s compatriot Tito Rabat (13).

Gone with the wind: The start of Friday afternoon’s second free practice session in Moto2 was delayed by a “mini tornado”, which blew freshly-mown grass and hay onto the track. The session then had to be red-flagged after just ten minutes, as plastic signs from a pit board had found their way onto the start/finish straight.

Special colours: “King of the Ring” Marc Marquez lines up in this year’s Grand Prix with a special helmet design. The unique paint job on his head protection features retro elements, reminiscent of the colour scheme made famous by MotoGP legend Eddie Lawson. The American was crowned world champion in the 500cc class, the pinnacle at that time, in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989. Japanese Moto3 rider Tatsuki Suzuki also has a special design for the Sachsenring.

Great thirst: Temperatures above 30 degrees up until Saturday have seen those in the paddock at the Motorcycle Grand Prix, and the 450 marshals and volunteers, work up quite a sweat. To quench the thirst in the heat, helpers were provided with twelve pallets of water – three times as much as in previous years, when temperatures were lower.

Lightning-quick comeback: Spain’s Alex Rins is making his comeback at the LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany. The Suzuki rider was forced to miss the previous race in Barcelona due to a hand injury. The reason behind the injury is a curious one: Rins was distracted by his smartphone whilst cycling and collided with a van.

New formation: Gresini Racing will line up as a Ducati customer team from the 2022 MotoGP season. The news was officially announced by the Italian team on Thursday. Gresini, which has previously been responsible for Aprilia’s factory team, will receive last year’s bikes from the reds. Italians Enea Bastianini and Fabio Giannantonio have been announced as the riders.

From two wheels to four?: Quo vadis il dottore? For a long time, fans of nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi have been asking themselves what “The Doctor” will do next season. According to media reports from Italy, Rossi fancies a crack at GT racing.