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
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