MotoGP: Valencia GP cancelled after Bagnaia-led protests

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 1 - MotoGP said Friday that the season-ending race due to take place in two weeks' time in Valencia will be held elsewhere after the Spanish city and the surrounding region were hit by devastating floods that killed over 200 people.
    "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," a statement said.
    "The championship will put our collective efforts behind backing the relief funds already in place to ensure our positive impact can connect with the area in the way it best serves the people and communities we have been part of for so long.
    "Our efforts will begin during the Malaysian GP (this weekend) and continue at the final round of 2024, with a new venue and dates to be announced as soon as confirmed".
    Organizers had initially seemed inclined to keep the season-ending race in Valencia, postponing it by a week.
    But they came under pressure from riders, led by Italy's double MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia, to switch venues.
    Earlier on Friday Bagnaia said that he would refuse to take part in the season-ending Grand Prix if were held in Valencia.
    "I am not willing to race in Valencia, even at the cost of losing my ultimate goal, which is to win the world title," Ducati-factory-team rider Bagnaia, who trails championship leader Jorge Martin by 17 points, told reporters at the Sepang circuit after clocking the fastest time in practice ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
    "I don't think it's right (to hold the race in Valencia).
    "I really hope they consider that, on an ethical level and given what is happening, going to race there is not the right thing.
    "Even at the cost of losing the world championship, I am not willing to take to the (ANSA).