The natural disaster affecting the Valencia region forced MotoGP organizers to relocate the last round of the season to Barcelona. A choice that is controversial in the paddock.
While Dorna, the promoter of MotoGP, for some time wanted to maintain the last round of the season in Valencia, the organizers had to resolve to cancel this stage given the scale of the disaster. The recent floods which hit the south of Spain and particularly the Valencia region caused more than 200 deaths. The entire paddock had also campaigned for the cancellation of this race, even if it meant “boycotting” it if it was kept on the calendar, despite the sporting stakes. Jorge Martin could indeed win his first world title during this last stage against his rival double world champion Francesco Bagnaia. Several options were on the table, but the leaders finally chose Barcelona to end this 2024 season 400 kilometers from bad weather on the weekend of November 15.
“It was important to organize one last event in this season,” communicates Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP sporting director. “We studied all the possibilities available to us. It is a real challenge to organize an event in two weeks but we believe that Barcelona is the best possible location given its proximity to Valencia and the fact that many “We also know that from there we will be able to help the Valencian community.
Bastianini: 'Not right to race in Spain'
A choice that leaves some headliners in the paddock skeptical. “For me, it’s not right to race in Spain but that’s how it is, it’s Dorna’s choice,” says Enea Bastianini. “The fact that we are running in Spain after what happened, I don't think it's very good. I don't agree 100%, but obviously those who made this decision did so because it was the only solution.”
Same story for Pecco Bagnaia who had clearly announced that he wanted to refuse to go to Valencia if the Grand Prix was run there even if it meant losing the world champion title. “I continue to say that racing in Spain is still not great,” he whispers. “But at least we won’t be in Valencia where the situation continues to get worse.”
Dorna should quickly announce the news of the officialization of the organization of the Grand Prix in Catalonia. This will be the second race of the year on this track after that of May 26. Neither Jorge Martin and Bagnaia had then imposed themselves. All the pilots are in any case campaigning for joint action in favor of the victims and families affected by the floods.
