To celebrate the return of the Czech Republic Grand Prix in 2025 here are some of the best moments from Brno.
With the iconic Automotodrom Brno returning to the MotoGP calendar for the 2025 season it seems like a good time to look back at some of its best moments!
Brno first appeared on the Grand Prix calendar in 1965 where it stayed until 1982. In 1987 Brno returned to the calendar and became a fan-favourite circuit until it was removed once again before the 2021 season. However, Brno will return in 2025 and has a contract through until the end of 2029.
Brno 1996: The first of many...
You cannot talk about the greatest moments at Brno without mentioning the 1996 125cc Grand Prix. At the Czech Republic Grand Prix in 1996 a certain Valentino Rossi claimed his first ever Grand Prix victory.
The future nine-time World Champion had stood on the podium for the first time at the race before in Austria. However, Rossi was not done there as he claimed his first win at Brno.
In this classic Grand Prix battle Rossi beat the experienced Jorge Martinez 'Aspar' at Brno before going on to win 114 more Grands Prix in his 25-year career.
Brno 2016: Britain back on top
At the 2016 Czech Republic Grand Prix British fans finally heard their national anthem in MotoGP once again. After a 35-year wait, Cal Crutchlow was the first British rider to win a MotoGP race since Barry Sheene in 1981.
In the difficult conditions, Crutchlow made the smart decision of switching to the harder option wet tyres. At first, the British rider plummeted down the order, but his decision quickly worked in his favour. Crutchlow ended up carving through the field and was almost two seconds faster than the other riders on the track.
Brno 2012: Pedrosa vs Lorenzo
The 2012 MotoGP season was the peak of the Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo rivalry. The two Spaniards were the Championship favourites as Casey Stoner picked up an injury and Rossi was rotting away at Ducati.
However, Brno was potentially the biggest Pedrosa and Lorenzo duel of the season. The two riders finished first and second for the majority of the year and after winning in Indianapolis Pedrosa was on a charge. Pedrosa had topped every Qualifying session, but Lorenzo snatched pole.
In the race, it was clear to see that Pedrosa was as determined as ever to beat Lorenzo. The two battled it out for 22 laps until it was Pedrosa who walked away with victory ahead of Lorenzo in second. Creating one of the greatest MotoGP races of all time.
Brno 2020: Binder claims his first MotoGP victory
The last time Brno featured on the MotoGP calendar it was KTM that came away from the Czech Republic victorious. MotoGP rookie Brad Binder claimed his first-ever MotoGP race win in only his third MotoGP race.
The South African rider destroyed the field as he won by 5.2 seconds. This would be Binder's only race win in the 2020 season as he went on to finish 11th in the Championship in his rookie season.
Brno 2016: McPhee masters the wet conditions
The 2016 Czech Republic Grand Prix will forever live in the memories of British fans as they had two race winners in one weekend.
2016 was the worst full year that John McPhee had in the Moto3 class as the Scottish rider finished 22nd in the standings. However, it was a bittersweet year for the Scottish rider as he claimed his first Moto3 race win.
At Brno McPhee mastered the treacherous conditions as he claimed his first Moto3 win and Peugeot's only Moto3 win. McPhee went on to win by a total of 8.806 seconds as he beat future MotoGP rider, Jorge Martin.
