This tight and twisty new circuit became the third Spanish race in 1999, and has since become a high-intensity close to the season. Sponsored by the city of Valencia, and named after local former World Champion and hero, the late Ricardo Tormo, it comes in at the top of the class.

The pit buildings and grandstands are a towering demonstration of Spain’s commitment to and enthusiasm for motorcycle racing. The circuit itself is a harbinger of a new type of grand prix race track – more akin to the all-action enclosed nature of stadium racing than traditional long and fast GP tracks.

The 4.005 km (2.489-mile) lap is crammed into the smallest possible area, almost all of it within view from the grandstands on one side, and the packed hillsides on the other. Naturally the corners are tight, and only Estoril has a slower average speed. But, like the Portuguese venue, Valencia also has a good long straight, with speeds not far short of 200 mph, which shows how slow the rest of the track must be.

There is so much action visible that it is almost confusing. By the end of a race there are bikes whizzing left and right, up and down, all within the field of view. This alone makes the Valencia experience special.