How Long Is A MotoGP Race?

MotoGP races are held across the world at various top circuits. The riders and their elite 4-stroke motorbikes are heavily sponsored and well supported by fans internationally, so the stakes are high. Since no two circuits are the same, the distance and time to complete each race is different.

A MotoGP race is a high-speed sprint – with no pit stops – which lasts between 30 to 45 minutes while covering a distance of between 62.14 to 80.78 miles (100 to 130 kilometers). Factors affecting the total race time include the circuit length, weather conditions, and if there are any accidents.

Since MotoGP is broadcast live, and there are supporters in the stands, there is a further time frame imposed on how long a race should go on if there have been delays caused by weather, accidents, or flags that are not checkered (time is money!). Let’s look at the circuits for the 2022 season, their specs, and the MotoGP rider with the fastest lap time for each circuit.

2022 MotoGP Circuits And Race Lengths

The race circuits for MotoGP are determined according to popularity, availability, and sponsorships, so they vary from year to year. There are 20 MotoGP races planned for the 2022 season, all at different circuits. Some countries host more than one (or two) MotoGP races in a season.

With the bikes improving every year, the fastest lap times are improving at each circuit, although some records have remained unbeaten for a few years. Lap times depend very much on the riders’ proficiency, as it requires special skills to maneuver these bikes amongst other riders and around corners at high speeds.

The number of laps per circuit is usually consistent from season to season; however, they may change if the race officials deem it necessary to shorten a race due to severe weather or other restrictions.

Lusail International Circuit, Qatar

The Losail International Circuit is 3.343 miles long, with the main straight measuring 0.664 miles. The race was fixed at 22 laps for the event on 6 March 2022. The fastest lap record for MotoGP on the Lusail International Circuit was recorded by Enea Bastianini in 2022 on his Ducati Desmosedici GP21, with a record of 1:54.338.

Mandalika International Street Circuit, Indonesia

The Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit was only opened in 2021. The circuit is 2.86 miles long, and the 2022 MotoGP race on 20 March 2022 was set at 27 laps. The fastest MotoGP lap time of 1:38:749 was set in the 2022 race by Fabio Quartararo on his Yamaha YZR-M1.

Termas De Río Hondo, Argentina

With a circuit length of 2.98 miles, the Termas de Río Hondo MotoGP race on 3 April 2022 was set at 25 laps. Valentino Rossi’s lap record of 1:39.019 remains unbeaten since 2015. The retired MotoGP rider achieved this record on a Yamaha YZR-M1.

Circuit Of The Americas, United States

The Circuit of the Americas offers a circuit length of 3.426 miles. The race was held on 10 April 2022 and consisted of 20 laps. Enea Bastianini, on his Ducati Desmosedici GP21, grabbed the fastest lap record in the 2022 race, with a time of 2:03.521.

Algarve International Circuit, Portugual

The Algarve International Circuit is 2.89 miles, and the race on 24 April 2022 was 25 laps. While riding a Yamaha YZR-M1, Fabio Quartararo set a new lap record at the 2022 race with a time of 1:39.43.

Circuito De Jerez, Spain

The motorcycling circuit for Circuito de Jerez is 2.75 miles long, and the 2022 race consisted of 25 laps. On his Ducati Desmosedici GP22, Francesco Bagnaia set a new lap record of 1:37.669 on 1 May 2022.

Le Mans Circuit, France

Also known as the Bugatti Circuit, the race held on 15 May 2022 was 27 laps long. Each lap is 2.6 miles long. Francesco Bagnaia set the new lap record of 1:31.778 at this race.

Autodromo Internazionale Del Mugello, Italy

With 15 turns and a 0.709 mile straight, Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia set the lap record of 1:46.588 on 24 May 2022. The race consisted of 23 laps, with each lap being 3.259 miles.

Circuit De Barcelona, Spain

The motorcycle circuit at Circuit de Barcelona is 2.9 miles long, and the riders rode 24 laps in the June 2022 race. Johann Zarco set the lap record of 1:39.939 in 2021 on a Ducati Desmosedici GP21.

Sachsenring, Germany

The Sachsenring track is 2.281 miles long, and the MotoGP race on 19 June 2022 consisted of 30 laps. Marc Márquez has remained unbeaten since 2019 with his lap record of 1:21.228. He set this record on a Honda RC213V.

TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands

The Dutch MotoGP race on 26 June 2022 was 26 laps long. Each lap of this Grand Prix Circuit is 2.83 miles long. Valentino Rossi set the lap record in 2009 on a Yamaha YZR-M1, with a time of 1:36.558.

Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom

The Silverstone Circuit is 3.666 miles long, and the riders usually do 20 laps in the British MotoGP race. Marc Márquez set a lap record of 1:59.936 in 2019 on his Honda RC213V.

Red Bull Ring, Austria

The Austrian MotoGP race consists of 28 laps around the 2.68 mile Red Bull Ring. In 2019, Andrea Dovizioso set the lap record at 1:23.827 on a Ducati Desmosedici GP19.

Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, San Marino

The Misano World Circuit is 2.63 miles long, and the race is usually 27 laps long. The fastest lap record is 1:32.171 and was set by Francesco Bagnaia in 2021.

Motorland Aragón, Spain

The Grand Prix circuit at Motorland Aragón is 3.16 miles long and consists of 23 laps. Franco Morbidelli set the fastest lap record in 2020 on a Yamaha YZR-M1, his time being 1:48.089.

Twin Ring Motegi, Japan

The Japanese MotoGP is set to take place on 25 September 2022. The riders race around the 2.983 mile circuit 24 times. Jorge Lorenzo set the lap record of 1:45.350 on a Yamaha YZR-M1 in 2014.

Chang International Circuit, Thailand

The 26-lap race at the Chang International Circuit is set for 2 October 2022. The circuit is 2.83 miles long. In 2019 Marc Márquez set the lap record at this circuit, with a time of 1:30.904.

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia

The Australian MotoGP, which will be held on 16 October 2022, consists of 20 laps around the 2.762 mile circuit. Spaniard Marc Márquez has held the title for fastest lap record since 2013, with a time of 1:28.108.

Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

The Sepang International Circuit is 3.445 miles long, and a MotoGP race consists of 20 laps around this circuit. Valentino Rossi secured the lap record of 1:59.661 in 2019. The Malaysian race is set for 23 October 2022.

Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Spain

The ultimate race of the 2022 MotoGP season is to be held on 6 November 2022. The race comprises of 27 laps around the 2.489 mile Spanish circuit. In 2021, Francesco Bagnaia set the lap record for this circuit at 1:31.042 on his Ducati Desmosedici GP21.

Conclusion

Each MotoGP race differs in distance and duration depending on the circuit length, weather, and if there are any accidents during the race. An average MotoGP race is about 30 to 45 minutes long and covers a distance between 62.14 to 80.78 miles.