Located near the town of Cheste, approximately 25 kilometres west of Valencia, Circuit Ricardo Tormo is one of the world’s premier motorcycle racing venues. Opened in 1999, the circuit has become synonymous with MotoGP, where it traditionally hosts the championship finale before passionate Spanish crowds.
Named in honour of two-time 50cc World Champion Ricardo Tormo, the circuit combines a compact, highly technical layout with an amphitheatre design that provides exceptional visibility for spectators. Unlike many modern circuits spread across vast landscapes, Ricardo Tormo was conceived as a stadium, creating an unusually intimate relationship between competitors and fans.
Today, the circuit hosts MotoGP, World Superbike testing, GT racing, Formula E testing, national championships and extensive manufacturer development programmes.
In Brief
- Circuit Ricardo Tormo opened in 1999 and is named after two-time 50cc World Champion Ricardo Tormo.
- The circuit’s amphitheatre layout allows spectators to see almost the entire lap from many grandstands.
- It traditionally hosts the final round of the MotoGP World Championship.
- The anti-clockwise layout creates unusual physical demands on drivers and riders.
- The compact technical design makes it one of Europe’s most valuable motorcycle testing circuits.
- Valencia has hosted numerous MotoGP World Championship title deciders.
History
Circuit Ricardo Tormo officially opened in 1999 with the ambition of establishing Valencia as one of Spain’s leading motorsport destinations.
The circuit was named after Ricardo Tormo, one of Spain’s pioneering motorcycle world champions, whose achievements inspired generations of Spanish riders. His legacy remains closely associated with the venue, particularly given Spain’s extraordinary success in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
MotoGP first visited the circuit in 1999, and within only a few seasons the Valencia Grand Prix had become one of the championship’s defining events. Since 2002, the circuit has traditionally hosted the final round of the MotoGP season, creating countless dramatic title deciders and emotional championship celebrations.
Beyond motorcycle racing, Ricardo Tormo has steadily expanded its international profile by welcoming GT racing, touring cars, Formula E testing, endurance events and extensive manufacturer activities.
Circuit Design
Circuit Ricardo Tormo measures 4.005 kilometres and features a compact anti-clockwise layout consisting of fourteen corners.
Unlike many modern circuits that emphasise maximum speed, Valencia focuses on rhythm, precision and continuous technical challenge. The lap is composed primarily of medium and slow-speed corners linked by relatively short straights, rewarding balanced vehicle dynamics and smooth driving rather than outright horsepower.
Its defining architectural feature is the stadium concept. The circuit wraps around a central spectator area, allowing fans from many grandstands to observe almost the entire lap simultaneously—an exceptionally rare characteristic among international racing circuits.
The layout has proven particularly well suited to motorcycle competition while remaining versatile enough for GT cars, touring cars and junior single-seaters.
LENGTH
4.005
kilometres
WIDTH
12–13
metres
DIRECTION
CCW
counter-clockwise
TURNS
14
9 left – 5 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
861
metres
ELEVATION CHANGE
18.8
metres
OPENED
1999
27 years ago
Circuit Ricardo Tormo is defined by its compact, technical layout and distinctive anti-clockwise direction, combining repeated changes of direction with relatively short straights and several corners where maintaining momentum is more important than outright speed. The circuit’s stadium-like design also gives much of the lap an interconnected character, with few opportunities for drivers or riders to relax between successive braking and cornering phases.
The opening sector immediately establishes this technical rhythm, with heavy braking into the first corner followed by a sequence that rewards accurate positioning and strong mechanical grip. Through the middle of the lap, the circuit combines tighter corners with faster, more flowing sections where smooth inputs and controlled weight transfer become increasingly important. The final sector builds towards the long, sweeping final corner, where competitors must balance commitment with tyre grip before carrying maximum possible speed onto the main straight.
Although individual corners have become familiar through decades of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Ricardo Tormo’s defining challenge comes from maintaining rhythm through a densely connected lap where mistakes quickly affect the following sequence. Riders and drivers who remain patient on entry, preserve corner speed and consistently position the machine for what comes next are generally rewarded most strongly.
| Corner |
|---|
| T1 · Aspar 077° · Left · 86 m |
| T2 · Doohan 149° · Left · 78 m |
| T3 048° · Left · 26 m |
| T4 · Nico Terol 094° · Right · 49 m |
| T5 124° · Right · 108 m |
| T6 · Ángel Nieto 124° · Left · 86 m |
| T7 · de la Aficion 025° · Left · 29 m |
| T8 155° · Left · 135 m |
| T9 044° · Left · 50 m |
| T10 045° · Right · 55 m |
| T11 · Jaume Masiá 155° · Right · 95 m |
| T12 · Champi Herreros 066° · Right · 36 m |
| T13 107° · Left · 429 m |
| T14 · Adrián Campos 114° · Left · 59 m |
Circuit Ricardo Tormo occupies an important position within Spanish motorsport and an especially significant place in the country’s extraordinary motorcycle racing culture. Opened in 1999 near Valencia and named after two-time motorcycle World Champion Ricardo Tormo, the circuit quickly became one of Spain’s principal international racing venues.
Its identity is most closely associated with the MotoGP World Championship. For many years, Valencia traditionally hosted the final Grand Prix of the season, giving the circuit a special role as the place where championships were frequently decided and the year’s final celebrations took place. The compact stadium configuration and large Spanish motorcycle audience created one of MotoGP’s most distinctive atmospheres, particularly during seasons in which Spanish riders arrived competing for world titles.
The circuit’s role extends beyond MotoGP. Ricardo Tormo has hosted World Superbike competition, Formula E, GT racing, touring cars, junior single-seaters and numerous Spanish automobile and motorcycle championships, while its facilities are extensively used for testing and rider development. The venue has been particularly important to the progression of young motorcycle racers within Spain’s highly developed pathway from national competition towards Grand Prix racing.
Ricardo Tormo therefore represents more than Valencia’s principal racing circuit. It is one of the foundations of modern Spanish motorcycle racing, connecting grassroots development with the highest level of Grand Prix competition. Together with Jerez, Barcelona-Catalunya and MotorLand Aragón, it has helped make Spain one of the central nations of contemporary motorcycle sport, while its unique stadium design gives Valencia an identity distinctly its own.
Visitor Experience
Ricardo Tormo offers one of the finest spectator experiences in international motorsport.
The amphitheatre design means spectators can follow almost the entire race without changing position, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a football stadium than a conventional racing circuit. During MotoGP weekends, the grandstands become a sea of passionate supporters cheering Spain’s riders, contributing to one of the championship’s most vibrant finales.
Outside major race weekends, visitors can enjoy track days, advanced driving and riding schools, manufacturer experiences and guided tours. Combined with Valencia’s Mediterranean climate, beaches and renowned gastronomy, the circuit provides an exceptional destination for motorsport tourism.
Climate
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall mm | Rainy days | Daylight h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14° | 5° | 35 | 5 | 9.8 |
| February | 16° | 6° | 30 | 5 | 10.7 |
| March | 18° | 8° | 43 | 6 | 12.0 |
| April | 21° | 10° | 49 | 7 | 13.3 |
| May | 24° | 13° | 41 | 7 | 14.4 |
| June | 28° | 17° | 23 | 4 | 14.9 |
| July | 31° | 19° | 12 | 3 | 14.6 |
| August | 31° | 20° | 27 | 5 | 13.7 |
| September | 27° | 17° | 60 | 8 | 12.4 |
| October | 23° | 14° | 56 | 7 | 11.1 |
| November | 18° | 9° | 46 | 6 | 10.0 |
| December | 15° | 6° | 37 | 6 | 9.4 |
Monthly averages for Circuit Ricardo Tormo, 1991–2020.
Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026 (CC BY 4.0).
Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Location
Circuit Ricardo Tormo is situated near Cheste, approximately 25 kilometres west of Valencia. The venue enjoys excellent motorway and rail connections and is less than 30 kilometres from Valencia Airport.
Its proximity to Spain’s Mediterranean coast allows visitors to combine world-class motorsport with one of Europe’s most attractive cultural and culinary destinations.
Address
334 Autovía del Este
46380 Cheste
Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana
Spain
Website