Sachsenring is undergoing seven weeks of construction work ahead of this year’s German MotoGP.
“Fortunately, only a few things need improvement. For example, the grass verge needs to be replaced with asphalt in some places,” Speedweek.com quotes Dr Lutz Oeser, Managing Director of Sachsenring Event GmbH, as saying.
“When riders leave the track, they [can lose control] on the verge. Therefore, a safer route is being created so that riders can return to the track in a controlled manner.”
The changes follow last year’s dramatic Moto2 race collision involving Diogo Moreira and David Alonso.
Moreira ran wide at the Omega curve (Turn 3) after clipping the rear of Jake Dixon.
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Rejoining the racing line at low speed, Moreira was then struck from behind by Alonso.
Moreira received a pitlane start penalty for the following round, but the circuit has now acted to reduce the risk of a similar scenario.
Further work is also being carried out at the fast Sachsen Kurve left-hander, immediately after the famous Turn 11 ‘Waterfall’ corner.
Drainage, an issue at the recent Brazilian round, is another priority, while track access points for marshals are being enlarged.
The work is expected to cost €300,000, half of which will be covered by a grant from the local government.
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Sachsenring has a MotoGP contract until at least 2031, with this year’s race, the last event before the summer break, taking place from 10-12 July.
Moreira will return as a premier class rider for LCR Honda, with Alonso a frontrunner with CFMoto Aspar in Moto2.
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