Located near Alcañiz in north-eastern Spain, MotorLand Aragón is one of Europe’s most respected modern racing facilities. Opened in 2009, the circuit quickly established itself as a benchmark for contemporary circuit design, combining dramatic elevation changes, wide racing surfaces and a flowing layout that rewards confidence and technical precision.
Part of the larger MotorLand Aragón complex, the venue also includes technology parks, driver training facilities and research centres dedicated to automotive engineering and mobility.
Today the circuit hosts MotoGP, World Superbike, endurance racing and numerous national championships while remaining one of the most admired modern circuits among riders and engineers alike.
In Brief
- MotorLand Aragón opened in 2009 on the site of a former industrial area near Alcañiz.
- The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke with sporting input from Pedro de la Rosa.
- It replaced the historic Guadalope street circuit as Aragón’s principal international racing venue.
- The kilometre-long back straight regularly produces some of MotoGP’s closest overtaking battles.
- Riders consistently rank Aragón among the best-designed modern MotoGP circuits.
- The wider MotorLand complex also includes technology parks, research facilities and driver training centres.
History
MotorLand Aragón was developed following the closure of the historic Guadalope street circuit that had hosted motorcycle races in Alcañiz for decades.
Seeking to preserve the region’s rich motorsport heritage, local authorities created an entirely new motorsport complex that would combine international racing with engineering, education and industrial development.
The circuit officially opened in 2009 and immediately attracted international attention.
In 2010 it joined the MotoGP World Championship with the inaugural Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix, becoming one of the championship’s most popular venues among riders. It has since hosted World Superbike, GT racing, Formula Renault, endurance championships and extensive manufacturer testing.
Its rapid rise reflects both the quality of its design and its ability to produce consistently exciting racing.
Circuit Design
The Grand Prix circuit measures 5.344 kilometres and consists of 18 corners in a counter-clockwise direction.
MotorLand Aragón was designed by Hermann Tilke, with input from former Formula One driver Pedro de la Rosa, and opened in 2009 near Alcañiz. Rather than imposing a predominantly flat geometric layout on the site, the circuit makes extensive use of its naturally undulating terrain, producing substantial gradients and changes in perspective around the lap.
Fast sweepers, blind crests, heavy braking zones and dramatic elevation changes are linked together by one of the longest straights in MotoGP, creating continuous variation throughout the lap.
The circuit’s generous width encourages multiple racing lines while the natural terrain produces numerous corners where drivers and riders cannot see the exit until committing to the apex.
The result is a circuit that rewards courage without sacrificing technical complexity.
LENGTH
5.344
kilometres
WIDTH
12–15
metres
DIRECTION
CCW
counter-clockwise
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
52.3
metres
OPENED
2009
17 years ago
MotorLand Aragón combines substantial elevation change with a varied mixture of technical corners, fast direction changes and strong braking zones. The opening section establishes this character immediately, with closely connected corners requiring precise positioning before the circuit begins to exploit the surrounding terrain more aggressively.
The middle sector becomes increasingly flowing, including the distinctive Corkscrew, where the circuit drops sharply through a sequence of corners shaped by the hillside. Later, the long back straight creates one of the lap’s principal overtaking opportunities, followed by heavy braking into the final section and a long, fast left-hand corner leading back towards the finish.
Although individual sections place very different demands on the vehicle, Aragón’s defining challenge comes from adapting continuously between them. Elevation, braking, rapid direction changes and high-speed cornering reward a balanced set-up and make the circuit particularly effective at exposing differences in chassis behaviour, braking stability and rider confidence.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | T1 Left |
| 2 | T2 Right |
| 3 | T3 Right |
| 4 | T4 Left |
| 5 | T5 Left |
| 6 | T6 Right |
| 7 | T7 Right |
| 8 | T8 Right |
| 9 | T9 Left |
| 10 | Marc Márquez Left |
| 11 | T11 Left |
| 12 | T12 Left |
| 13 | T13 Right |
| 14 | T14 Right |
| 15 | T15 Left |
| 16 | T16 Left |
| 17 | T17 Right |
| 18 | T18 Left |
MotorLand Aragón continued a much older motorsport tradition around Alcañiz, where road racing had been held on street circuits from the 1960s. The permanent complex transferred that regional enthusiasm into a modern facility capable of hosting international competition while preserving Aragón’s established connection with motorcycle and automobile racing.
The circuit became particularly significant through MotoGP, joining the World Championship calendar in 2010 and quickly establishing itself as an important Spanish venue. It has also hosted World Superbike, reinforcing its international motorcycle identity alongside national racing, testing and other forms of circuit competition.
Together with Spain’s other major circuits, MotorLand reflects the country’s exceptional importance to contemporary motorcycle racing and rider development. Its combination of international championships, modern engineering and the older racing heritage of Alcañiz gives the venue significance as both a global motorcycle circuit and the continuation of a regional motorsport tradition.
Visitor Experience
MotorLand Aragón offers a relaxed and authentic race weekend experience.
The natural terrain provides excellent panoramic viewing areas, allowing spectators to follow multiple sections of the circuit simultaneously. During MotoGP weekends, enthusiastic Spanish supporters create an energetic atmosphere while the surrounding region offers a quieter alternative to Spain’s larger tourist destinations.
Visitors can also explore the historic town of Alcañiz, the landscapes of Aragón and nearby medieval villages, combining world-class motorsport with one of Spain’s lesser-known cultural regions.
Location
MotorLand Aragón is located just outside Alcañiz, approximately 110 kilometres south-east of Zaragoza.
The circuit sits within Aragón’s rolling countryside, providing a dramatic natural setting that contributes significantly to its distinctive character.
Address
A-2404 km 1
44600
Teruel, Aragón
Spain
Website