BEATING COVID
How MotoGP defied the odds to deliver a stunning 2020 season
‘We are stronger than this time last year’
CARMELO EZPELETA
The world as we know it changed beyond recognition in 2020. And so did MotoGP. Joan Mir triumphed at the end of the shortest season since 1998 and for the first time in 34 years MotoGP exclusively raced in Europe as a result of Covid-19. Eleven of the 14 rounds took place behind-closed-doors and strict protocols were implemented to limit the spread of infection. Against all the odds though, MotoGP put on a spectacular show. A new World Champion, nine different race winners and the emergence of a wave of young talent were a welcome distraction from constant virus concerns. Speaking exclusively to MCN, MotoGP boss and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “We were so happy to finish the season. We’re extremely happy with the reaction of the MotoGP family who did everything to help us continue and in the end it was an incredible championship. I give this championship the same value of any other. People say there were fewer races but when Dorna started in 1992 there were 13 rounds and this year we had 14. The validity of this championship for me is one hundred per cent.”
Such optimism and celebration are a stark contrast to nine months ago when Covid-19 ravaged the original 20-round season as the sheer gravity of the pandemic quickly became apparent. “When we had to cancel the MotoGP race in Qatar because of the restrictions placed on people arriving from Italy, we were astonished. Honestly speaking, we were not anticipating the situation to escalate as it did. In the week after Qatar, it was obvious the pandemic was becoming a serious situation, particularly in Spain,” said Ezpeleta.
With races in Thailand, America and Argentina quickly postponed, Ezpeleta said a pivotal moment of 2020 was an agreement reached with Dorna’s investors Bridgepoint Capital and CPP Investments to protect teams in all three classes from collapse because of the financial turmoil created by Covid-19.
He added: “We explained the situation to the Board of Directors of Dorna and it was obvious without races that the future would be very difficult.
“We decided to help the teams survive until it was possible to go racing. As soon as we saw we could protect the economic health of the paddock we immediately started to discuss plans to resume racing. By the beginning of May, after constant discussions with authorities in the countries we planned to race, we were comfortable thinking we could do the whole season.”
Once the racing kicked off in Jerez on July 19, Dorna’s philosophy was simple. “With this virus it was difficult to predict what was going to happen. We approached it on a day-by-day basis and then reacted to whatever situation we encountered. When we did tests and saw the number of positive cases, we easily understood how well the protocols were working.” Ezpeleta has spent little time reflecting on the success of a season many thought would never start, and when it did, there were fears it would not be concluded over the 14 rounds planned.
The 74-year-old said: “I took two days off after Portimao and the focus quickly turned to setting up an incredible season next year. We are stronger than this time last year and already anxious for 2021 to start.”
Ezpeleta is confident a definitive calendar can be finalised in early January, despite April dates in America and Argentina being under threat because of the virus. “The most important thing is to make the calendar happen on the dates we have proposed,” he said. “We need to see what the possibilities are for us to race in America and Argentina. A decision will be taken in very early January and if not, we have alternatives for these races.”
A return to ‘normal’ though is unlikely and Ezpeleta confirmed to MCN that strict protocols may well be enforced again for 2021, which would mean restricted personnel and few or no fans trackside. He added: “We will study with authorities what are the possibilities of having fans back but most important is to fulfil the calendar. In the worst case, we are prepared to do all the races in the same format we had this year.” Ezpeleta said he’s in constant dialogue with promoters of all races on the provisional schedule and they have all committed to host the events despite the prospects of huge revenue shortfalls from lost ticket sales.
“We will not cancel races if it is not possible to have spectators. We have talked with promoters and they are ready to make the races in the conditions we managed this year,” added Ezpeleta.