Top MotoGP riders want Valencia race moved after deadly floods
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Title rivals Prima Pramac rider Jorge Martin (left) of Spain and Ducati Lenovo rider Francesco Bagnaia of Italy at a press conference on Oct 31, 2024 ahead of the Malaysia Motorcycling Grand Prix in Sepang. Both are in favour of moving the season-ending race from Valencia following the deadly floods.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
SEPANG, Malaysia – Leading MotoGP riders on Oct 31 called for the season finale in a fortnight to be moved out of Valencia because of deadly once-in-a-generation flooding in Spain.
At least 95 people have been killed and troops, police and firefighters are racing to find survivors and victims in Valencia.
The MotoGP world title could go down to the final race weekend of the campaign, scheduled for the Circuit Ricardo Tormo just outside Valencia on Nov 16 and 17.
Spain’s Jorge Martin, who tops the championship ahead of Italy’s title holder Francesco Bagnaia, said: “At the end of the day, I think the best solution will be to race elsewhere.”
Speaking in Sepang ahead of the Nov 1-3 Malaysia Grand Prix, the 26-year-old called on the sport’s bosses to make a decision on a possible change of venue as soon as possible. “The best thing would be to know right now so you approach the weekend in a different way,” said the Pramac Racing rider.
Title rival Bagnaia, who is still in the fight just 17 points back, said the Spanish people “are living their worst dream”.
“The most difficult thing for me is the ethical side because racing there is like a party, like a moment to enjoy,” said the Ducati rider.
“Knowing the situation as it is, it’s not correct... this could be wrong to race there. If it was my choice, I’d prefer not to race there.
“We have many more options.”
The Valencia track itself has not been damaged but there are question marks about some of the other infrastructure needed to host thousands of fans.
Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez said the priority must be the recovery effort and not racing.
Up to a year’s rain fell in a few hours on the eastern city of Valencia and the surrounding region on Oct 29, sending torrents of water and mud through towns and cities.
“As a Spaniard, it’s super difficult to see these kinds of images,” said Marquez.
“Theoretically, we have a GP there, but now I think all the facilities of the government, of Spain, need to go to the people who lost their houses.”
On Oct 31 afternoon, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said all matches scheduled to be played in the Valencian region this weekend have been postponed – among them the Nov 2 clash between Real Madrid and Valencia and the Villarreal-Rayo Vallecano game.
The RFEF had postponed six midweek Spanish King’s Cup matches featuring La Liga clubs such as Valencia, Getafe and Real Sociedad after the authorities advised against all non-essential travel in the region.
“Beyond the postponements, Spanish football wanted to show its solidarity with the people affected, especially with the families of those who have died in this natural disaster,” it added.
Expressing its condolences to the families and friends of the victims, La Liga said in a statement that a minute’s silence will be observed at all matches in the next two rounds.
Valencia made their stadium available as a drop-off point for citizen donations of food and essential items after the club teamed up with Valencia Food Bank to help those affected.
Spain on Oct 31 started three days of mourning. AFP, REUTERS