The third-longest lap of the year comes at a magnificent circuit, built to late 20th century standards but on the scale of the old post-war GP classics. Brno was a GP racing venue long before the World Championship began, and the current circuit was inaugurated in 1987 after the daunting old public road track had been dropped as too dangerous.

Sweeping through pine-clad hillsides, the track drops steadily away through a natural bowl big enough to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators who get a superlative view of the action. It then climbs back to the start-finish straight.

One difficulty for riders seeking to tame the 5.403 km (3.357-mile) circuit is the proliferation of long corners that drop away. The front wheel goes light as the ground falls, so the machines want to skate away into the gravel trap.