Dorna, the organizer of MotoGP, remains committed to holding the final round of the season at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, despite the difficulties. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, stated that the desire is to maintain the situation as initially planned.
The Dorna CEO spoke with AS about the future of MotoGP and with the Valencia GP scheduled to take place on the planned dates, from November 15th to 17th, it is to be maintained.
Although the track layout remains intact, other essential infrastructures for the event, such as access areas and parking, have been severely damaged, as Ezpeleta announced, he intends to maintain the initial plan: ‘In principle, the original date is maintained. They are working to solve the access and service problems. The track has not been damaged’, he assured.
‘After an initial inspection, the condition of the track is excellent, but much of the access and parking infrastructure has been severely damaged and requires urgent repairs for the Valencia GP, the final round of the motorcycle world championship’, he concluded.
Joint efforts to ensure the event
The decision to maintain the GP was strengthened by a statement from IRTA that reinforced the intention to continue the event: ‘Although the circuit is being used as a relief center, both local authorities and MotoGP are committed to holding the event on the scheduled dates and will work tirelessly to achieve it’, emphasizing the priority of supporting those affected.
However, the final decision will not be up to Dorna alone, which will always depend on local authorities, including the Generalitat Valenciana and the central government. The conditions in Valencia are serious, and the priority at this moment is to help those affected by the recent floods and destruction of infrastructure.
Options in case of cancellation
If the Valencia GP is canceled, one alternative would be to hold a second race in Malaysia, which would be a practical solution, as the MotoGP team and equipment will already be at the circuit. This option, in addition to reducing logistical costs, would allow for a quick solution. Another possibility discussed was to hold the final race in Qatar, which would require a change to the end of November or even early December. There was also consideration of finishing the season in Europe, with the Catalan and Portimão circuits as the preferred options.
The season finale in Valencia still open
Uncertainty persists, and the question that arises among riders, teams, and fans is whether the season will end in Europe as planned. Valencia remains the ideal destination for the end of the season, with its unique atmosphere and tradition for motorcycle fans. However, the current circumstances require flexible management, and the final decision will be made based on the balance between safety, logistics, and the impact on the affected communities.