Austria wins IRTA best MotoGP award

The International Race Teams Association (IRTA) has voted the Austrian Grand Prix as the best of the 2019 season.

The vote does not reflect the quality of the track action, but rather the standard of facilities and organisation as judged by those that work for the teams.

Austria wins IRTA best MotoGP award

The International Race Teams Association (IRTA) has voted the Austrian Grand Prix as the best of the 2019 season.

The vote does not reflect the quality of the track action, but rather the standard of facilities and organisation as judged by those that work for the teams.

Nonetheless, this year's Austrian MotoGP race saw a thrilling conclusion, with Andrea Dovizioso passing Marc Marquez for victory at the final turn.

Despite a drop of 9,431 spectators compared to 2018, the Red Bull Ring still boasted nearly 200,000 spectators, putting it fourth overall on the attendance list, behind Buriram, Le Mans and Sachsenring.

Austria previously won the IRTA Best Grand Prix accolade in 2016, the year it re-joined the motorcycle grand prix calendar.

"When we last won the award we might have had the bonus of being the rookie on the calendar," said Dietrich Mateschitz, CEO of Red Bull. "Since then we have become a fixed stop in the MotoGP season. Therefore, we are incredibly pleased and honoured that the insiders, the teams, the riders and the mechanics voted for us to be the best Grand Prix of the year again. Styrian hospitality, the enthusiasm of the Austrian MotoGP fans and our love for motorsport obviously complement each other very well."

Herve Poncharal, President of IRTA, revealed Spielberg had been an almost unanimous winner and hopes other MotoGP venues will try and learn from the Austrian circuit.

"As President of IRTA it means I represent all of the teams, and this is really a reflection of the whole paddock – from the mechanics and managers to the riders, in the case of IRTA – and it was almost a unanimous decision to vote Spielberg as the best GP of the year once again," Poncharal said.

"What everyone said is that there’s everything we need and want, and if everywhere was like Spielberg it would be a dream!

"The scenery is beautiful, the circuit is exciting and creates great racing, the facilities are great and the people show incredible goodwill. There is a big crowd that gets into and out of the circuit smoothly, the Media Centre is great.

"We’re very happy and like I said there was almost no resistance to the choice. Unfortunately we can’t nominate Austria every year but I hope other venues will come and see it and use the experience to improve.

"Everything is very well organised – it’s like a well-oiled machine. I’m very proud and happy to give this trophy to the Red Bull Ring."

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