The MotoGP Podium Ceremony Explained for Beginners

The roar of the engines has faded, the chequered flag has been waved, and the race is over. For the three riders who fought their way to the top, the day’s work isn’t quite finished. Now comes one of the most iconic traditions in motorsport: the podium ceremony.

It’s a moment of pure emotion, relief, and celebration. But if you’re new to MotoGP, the sequence of events can be a little confusing. Let’s break down what happens from the moment the race ends to the final spray of sparkling wine.

What happens right after the race?

Once a rider crosses the finish line, they don’t just head back to the garage. The first thing they do is complete a ‘cool-down lap’ or ‘victory lap’. This is a slower lap of the circuit where they can wave to the fans, celebrate with trackside marshals, and let the initial adrenaline wear off.

After this lap, the top three finishers proceed directly to a special, secure location near the podium called parc fermé.

What is parc fermé?

Parc fermé is a French term that means “closed park”. In MotoGP, it’s a fenced-off area where the top three motorcycles are held immediately after the race. Riders park their bikes here, and they are kept under strict supervision.

The reason for this is technical scrutiny. Officials from the sport’s governing body will inspect the bikes to ensure they comply with all the rules and regulations. This confirms that no illegal modifications were used during the race, guaranteeing a fair result.

This is also the first place the riders get to celebrate with their team. You’ll often see emotional scenes with mechanics and engineers as the rider dismounts their bike.

How do the riders get to the podium?

From parc fermé, the riders head towards the podium. This is usually a short walk, often through a buzzing crowd of team personnel, media, and officials. They are weighed along with their bikes to ensure they meet the minimum weight requirements.

Before stepping onto the podium itself, they are often guided into a small ‘cool-down room’. Here, they can have a drink, take a breath, and watch highlights of the race for the first time, often sharing a few words with their fellow podium finishers.

Who stands where on the podium?

The podium has three steps, and the layout is always the same. The winner of the race takes the centre, highest step, known as the ‘top step’. The rider who finished second stands to the winner’s right (from the winner’s perspective), and the third-place rider stands to the winner’s left.

This hierarchy is a long-standing tradition in motorsport and many other sports, clearly signalling the finishing order to the watching crowds and television cameras.

What is the ceremony itself like?

Once the riders are in position, the formal ceremony begins. An official, often a local dignitary or a representative from the sport’s organisers, presents each rider with their trophy. The winner receives the largest, most ornate trophy, followed by the second and third-place awards.

Next, the national anthems are played. First, the anthem of the winning rider’s home country is played in their honour. This is immediately followed by the national anthem of the winning constructor (the manufacturer of the bike, such as Ducati, Yamaha, or KTM), celebrating the team’s achievement.

Why do they spray sparkling wine?

This is perhaps the most famous part of the ceremony. After the anthems, the riders are handed bottles of sparkling wine (often Prosecco, the sport’s official supplier). What follows is a chaotic, joyful spray as they celebrate with each other and their teams below.

This tradition dates back decades in motorsport and signifies a moment of pure, uninhibited joy and release after a gruelling race. In Grand Prix held in countries with alcohol restrictions, a non-alcoholic alternative, such as sparkling rosewater, is used instead.

After the spray, the riders will often throw their caps into the crowd as souvenirs for lucky fans. Their official duties then conclude with a mandatory post-race press conference, where they answer questions from the world’s media.

Quick Takeaways

• The podium ceremony honours the top three finishers of the Grand Prix.
• Before the ceremony, riders go to parc fermé, a secure area for technical checks on their bikes.
• The ceremony involves trophies and the playing of two national anthems: one for the winning rider and one for their bike’s manufacturer.
• The iconic sparkling wine spray is a traditional motorsport celebration of victory and relief.