Viñales takes centre stage as MotoGP celebrates 70th anniversary

David Bodapati June 12, 2019

851 1 minute read

Viñales takes centre stage as some of Barcelona's most stunning sights host 70th anniversary celebrations on 12 June 2019. A MotoGP image

Barcelona 12 June 2019: The Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya is more than simply Round 7. This season, the Thursday ahead of track action marks 70 years since the first race in the motorcycle racing World Championship back in 1949, so to celebrate the beginning, the evolution, and what it is today, MotoGP™ went on tour around Barcelona, displaying machinery past and present – with a starring role for Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).

In one of the most visited cities in the world, there’s no shortage of landmarks and so, at six emblematic locations, a bike representing each MotoGP™ manufacturer was on display – partnered up with one of the machines that took glory in the first ever World Championship. The 350cc Velocette, the 250cc Moto Guzzi and the 125cc Mondial took centre stage alongside 2019 machines from Honda, Ducati, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM and Aprilia, showcasing the roots of MotoGP™ and its evolution.

That’s not all. As well as the displays around the city, Maverick Viñales stole the show at Tibidabo. The highest of the Collserola mountains that border Barcelona to the north and home to one of the most spectacular views in Catalonia, Tibidabo is topped by the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor (Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and the famous Tibidabo amusement park – which Viñales reached on a 1975 Yamaha TZ 350.

With a stop off at the fabulous Mirador de Sarrià viewpoint on the way up to the top, Viñales got a taste of a very different machine as he arrived at Tibidabo in style. There, he has reunited with his bike ahead of the race weekend – ready to add another chapter to the incredible history of MotoGP™.

Stay tuned throughout the Grand Prix for more 70th anniversary celebrations!

Maverick Viñales: “It’s a different way of riding! I honestly enjoyed it a lot, it was amazing to be back on the two-stroke, this old skool bike is something unbelievable. The wheels are slimmer, it’s totally different. I have to say, they had big balls in the past! The bike isn’t that easy. So we enjoyed it a lot and arrived at Tibidabo where the views are amazing. It was a pleasure, I’m really motivated and I can’t wait to be back on my bike and get the most from the race.”