MOTOGP SEASON FINALE WON’T BE HELD IN VALENCIA, ALTERNATIVES UNDER DISCUSSION
Due to severe flooding in the region, MotoGP will not hold the final race of the season in Valencia.
According to Autosport, despite Dorna’s initial intention to proceed with the event in Valencia, the season finale will now be relocated. Dorna has begun searching for an alternative venue to host the race after the original dates, set for November 15-17. Discussions on this sensitive decision process have already started in the paddock at the Malaysian Grand Prix. It was initially reported on Thursday that Dorna, in coordination with the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), intended to keep Valencia as the location for the last grand prix. Shortly afterward, the possibility of moving the race by one week, to Sunday, November 24, was proposed to some MotoGP riders.
However, by Friday afternoon, Dorna’s officials had reportedly reached a consensus that holding the race in Valencia was no longer feasible. As a result, an alternative venue is now being considered for the championship-deciding battle between Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia. Martin, aiming to secure the championship, needs a 21-point lead over his Italian rival. While no official announcement has been made yet by MotoGP, Dorna’s CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta stated to AS on Thursday that “in principle, the original date will be maintained.” Nevertheless, tragic news from Spain has made it impossible to hold the event in Valencia, where all planned sports events have been canceled. As of Friday, 158 deaths had been reported, with expectations of a rising death toll given the high number of missing persons.
In this context, with some 20 towns lacking access to drinking water and military deployments in the area, Dorna has concluded that organizing a grand prix in Valencia is not viable. Riders like Marc Marquez and Bagnaia have expressed strong opinions on the matter, with Bagnaia emphasizing that he wouldn’t attend the race in Valencia, even if it meant losing his championship chance.
Currently, four alternative venues are reportedly under consideration for the new finale: Qatar, Jerez, Barcelona, and Portimao. Should Losail in Qatar be selected, MotoGP would likely schedule the race for the previous Sunday (November 24), as Formula 1 will occupy the circuit during the week of November 25 – December 1.
It now appears certain that the season finale will not take place as initially planned.
