Cycle News Staff | November 4, 2024
The 2024 Valencia GP is canceled due the the devastating floods in the region. The Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya will host the final MotoGP race of 2024, November 15-17,
Update November 4, 2024:
The Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya will host the final MotoGP race of 2024, November 15-17, after devastating floods destroyed many towns in the Valencia region of Spain, including those around the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.
Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya
Series owner Dorna initially indicated it planned to plow ahead with the final round at its original venue. But that possibility made many in the MotoGP paddock uncomfortable, with a recent death toll in the hundreds and poised to rise further, while thousands of homes have been affected.
Marc Marquez stated it would be “unethical” to race there, even if the event date was delayed. And Pecco Bagnaia went one step further, stating, “Even at the cost of losing the title, I’m not willing to race in Valencia.”
Yet the decision to move the final race was welcomed by almost every rider. “It’s the correct decision, and it’s the one that all riders were pushing for,” said Alex Marquez. “Every day that passes [in Valencia] there is more of a nightmare.” And the riders are determined to find a way of helping those affected. “I will try and see how we can help Valencia and raise some money,” said Aleix Espargaro. While Barcelona makes logistical sense, some riders are concerned at the thought of racing at Montmelo in mid-November. The clockwise layout features two left-handers which can be tricky to tackle during the normal race date in June due to the left side of the front tire losing temperature. In much cooler conditions, it could spell trouble.
~Neil Morrison
On Sunday morning, November 3, Dorna’s Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta said that “Barcelona is the best possible place” to replace the canceled Valencia round and that a request has been made to the Government Catalunya. Here is what he said:
“We thought it was important to tell the riders before they went out on track yesterday, especially those in contention for positions, that there would be another event on the calendar. It’s been a very challenging couple of days, much more so for the Community of Valencia of course, but we think that—given the situation the Championship is in, sportingwise, but also for fans across the world—we thought it was important to hold a final event of the season. We owe that to the paddock and our fans.
“We have been looking at all the possibilities we had, it’s very challenging to organize an event in two weeks, but during the last 48 hours we’ve looked at all possible alternatives. We think that Barcelona is the best possible place given the proximity to Valencia, given that a lot of people were already travelling through to get to the finale, and especially for fans – we think it’s the best possible place for them. We also know we will be able to help the Community of Valencia from that location as well.
“That’s why we’ve requested the Government of Catalunya to be able to hold the event there. They want to communicate and align themselves with both the Government of Spain and that of Valencia before confirming the event, and we hope that confirmation comes in the next 48 hours.
“But the urgency right now is Valencia—not confirming our GP. It’s something we can wait for and once it’s confirmed we’ll start working as hard as possible, as it’s definitely a challenge but we think there’s a lot of good we can do and we feel owe it to our fans. We want to thank the entire MotoGP community, the riders, and the teams, for their proactiveness, help, and support.”
The race organizers issued the following statement on November 1, 2024:
MotoGP stands with the Community of Valencia following the devastating floods that have affected the area. Our hearts are with all those who have been lost and those who have lost so much.
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. We have a responsibility to every region where we race that goes far beyond the sport and the events.
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 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 and continue at the final round of 2024, with a new venue and dates to be announced as soon as confirmed.
Fans around the world, our athletes, and paddock deserve a sporting finale to the 2024 season, and one that can make a key contribution to supporting the communities we race in.
Any further information regarding the season finale will be confirmed as soon as possible.
Stay tuned to Cycle News for further updates as we get them.
The following is an update from October 30, 2024
Spain’s Valencia region suffered severe storms and flash flooding that has caused extensive damage to the region and, most tragically, a still unknown number of deaths and injuries. The final round of the 2024 MotoGP season, scheduled for November 15-17, at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, could be in jeopardy.
Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, photo on October 30, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.
MotoGP issued the following statement earlier today, October 30, on social media:
Storms and flash flooding hit the south east of Spain on Tuesday, with over a year’s worth of rain falling in only hours according to the Spanish Weather Service. Local towns, including both Chiva and Cheste near the circuit, have been inundated with water and, tragically, at least 51 people have so far been confirmed as dead in the extreme weather conditions, with more still missing.
Nicolas Collado, general manager of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, posted the following:
“The most important thing is that all the people who were at the Circuit are fine, everyone has been able to spend the night safely at the Circuit facilities,” said Nicolás Collado, general manager of the Circuit. “Now a damage assessment process begins that will tell us to what extent this DANA will affect the holding of our next events with full guarantees.”
Ricardo Tormo Circuit posted the following on their website:
The Ricardo Tormo Circuit has begun work to assess the multiple damages suffered as a result of the DANA [Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos] that devastated the interior of the province of Valencia on Tuesday, October 29
Although after an initial inspection the track is in optimal condition, a large part of the access and parking infrastructure has been seriously damaged and needs urgent repair in view of the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community, the last round of the world motorcycle championship on 15, 16 and 17 November.
More than 200 litres per square metre in less than twelve hours and above all the flow of water, mud and other elements from the Sechera ravine and the Poyo Ravine, next to the Circuit, have been the cause of the damage to the car parks and the main access to the Cheste facilities.
The roads into the track are heavily damaged. Photo Courtesy of Ricardo Tormo Circuit after DANA 2024
Nearly a 100 people have had to spend the night in different locations at the Cheste facilities . The gym, offices and other places far from the current have served as temporary shelter for operators assembling the claws and stands, part of the Formula E logistics team and maintenance, security and office staff at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.
Formula E’s preseason test was due to take place at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo next week, before MotoGP’s season-finale.
A statement from Formula E stated the following:
Our thoughts go out to those affected by the extreme weather conditions in Spain. In light of the situation that has developed overnight in Valencia, we are working closely with the local authorities and representatives of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia ahead of the scheduled FIA Formula E official test next week.
Due to damage to the main access road caused by a burst river bank nearby, the circuit is currently inaccessible by vehicle. Four members of Formula E staff stayed at the circuit last night as a precaution, but are safe and able to transfer to and from the circuit by foot. Track conditions show no signs of damage, and we continue to assess garages and freight. Alternative access routes in and out of the circuit are currently being investigated. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates in due course.
Stay tuned to Cycle News for further updates as we get them.
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