New circuit, no problem for these MotoGP stars

Ahead of our first trip to Balaton Park, we take a look at which riders have won when we first visit new venues

It’s going to be a historic Round 14 for the World Championship in 2025, as Balaton Park becomes the latest venue to embrace the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, with anticipation mounting for the Grand Prix of Hungary. A fresh challenge awaits the MotoGP elite, but which riders have come out on top when we've first visited new tracks?

Within the current grid, there are a number of riders who could be considered new track masters, not least Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) At the 2022 Indonesian GP, the Portuguese rider had the honour of being the first rider to ever win a MotoGP race at Mandalika. Oliveira has made a habit of achieving such feats, having also come out victorious when MotoGP first visited Portimao’s Algarve International Circuit in 2020, so expect him to be a rider to adapt quickly too.

That record places him joint-second on the list of wins at new circuits during the MotoGP era, with six-time MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez topping the list with three. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider counts opening wins at the USA’s Circuit of The Americas in 2013, Argentina’s Termas de Rio Hondo in 2014 and Thailand’s Buriram International Circuit in 2018 amongst his list of many sporting accolades.

Since 2002, seven other circuits have made their debuts on the MotoGP calendar. The latest being India's Buddh International Circuit, where Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) triumphed.

Elsewhere, the Qatar GP was first won by Sete Gibernau on Honda’s RC211V. In 2005, China’s Shanghai International Circuit saw its maiden race go the way of Valentino Rossi, while later that season, Marco Melandri took the win at the first-ever Turkish GP at Istanbul Park.

Three years later, Rossi pocketed victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before we saw MotorLand Aragon make its debut in 2010, with Casey Stoner standing on the top step of the podium for the final time with Ducati. 2016 saw the Red Bull Ring in Austria arrive on the calendar, with Andrea Iannone claiming victory there.

In terms of tracks that came back after a lengthy absence, Silverstone springs to mind, and the world-famous circuit was back in 2010 with Jorge Lorenzo emerging victorious. Before that, Misano in 2007 was a home round to remember for Ducati as Casey Stoner took honours after the track's 14-year hiatus and also Laguna Seca in 2005 after 11 years away, welcoming Nicky Hayden's first win. 

Will a new name be added to the list at Balaton Park? 

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