Motoring

Valencia MotoGP season finale cancelled over damaging floods

Published by
By Agence France Presse

Valencia will not host the final MotoGP of the season organisers announced Friday owing to the devastating flooding in the east of Spain.

New venue being looked into

The race was due to be held on 17 November and a new venue will be “confirmed as soon as possible” said organisers in a statement.

Many of the top MotoGP riders had called for the race to be moved away from Valencia after the devastating floods which have killed at least 205 people.

Advertisement

ALSO READ: Spain boosts troop numbers in search for flood missing

Floods devastated towns, piling up cars collapsing bridges and filling streets with mud in Spain’s biggest such disaster for decades.

Left with no choice

“We have been in constant contact with the local authorities and the circuit to best assess how we can help and how we should proceed,” said MotoGP.

Advertisement

“After carefully weighing up the potential positive impact of MotoGP racing in Valencia on delayed dates versus ensuring no single resource is diverted from the recovery efforts by the presence of MotoGP, the championship and local authorities have been obliged to cancel the 2024 Valencia GP.

“In lieu of racing in Valencia, MotoGP will instead race for Valencia… the championship will put our collective efforts behind backing the relief funds already in place.”

Move supported

The penultimate race takes place in Malaysia this weekend with Spaniard Jorge Martin top of the standings, ahead of Italy’s Francesco Bagnaia, who won the 2023 championship in Valencia.

Advertisement

Both riders backed a move away from Valencia.

“At the end of the day, I think the best solution will be to race elsewhere,” said Primac Ducati rider Martin on Thursday.

“Knowing the situation as it is, it’s not correct… this could be wrong to race there,” said Bagnaia.

Advertisement

Track not damaged but no chances taken

Spanish reports said the Ricardo Tormo racetrack was not affected by the flooding but infrastructure around it was.

Other sporting events in the region, including La Liga champions Real Madrid’s visit to face Valencia due to take place on Saturday, have been postponed.

It is not the first time that top level motor sport in Europe has been cancelled because of flooding.

Advertisement

The 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, was cancelled by Formula One organisers after flooding in the region.

NOW READ: Bagnaia wins wet Thai MotoGP to close gap on title rival Martin

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.

Published by
By Agence France Presse
Read more on these topics: MotoGPMotorsportracing