![]() ![]() In light of the situation, Dorna decided to extend some deals it already had in place. However, a large number of existing deals that the series has with its partners are mid to long term, meaning that there was reduced pressure to negotiate deals. The restricted calendar and lack of spectators meant that Dorna had to find new ways of connecting with sponsors. The MotoGP paddock was restricted to around 1,500 people to allow the series to operate safely We were travelling through Europe but there were no spectators except in Le Mans and Misano but in a limited number on the Sundays”. “We reduced the number of people that could attend the Grands Prix, around 1,500 people. “Finally, we found a good way with good protocol to run it”, Dorna managing director Pau Serracanta tells the BlackBook. As the virus spread across the world, Dorna was unsure how many races and in which locations the series could run. Wherever Rossi goes, it won’t be to a factory team, because KTM and Ducati are full up, too.The worsening of the Covid-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for the MotoGP paddock and the series’ commercial rights holder Dorna Sports. Nobody’s confirmed this yet, mind you, it’s all gossip. There, he’d ride with just-signed Franco Morbidelli. Well, word is that Rossi may be trading places with Quartararo on Petronas. Remember, Fabio Quartararo is moving from Petronas up to the big factory team at season’s end, leaving question marks about the future of Valentino Rossi. Over on the Yamaha team, there’s more scheming going on. Thanks, Cal! We’ve grown tired of you, just like Yamaha did, so find your fortune elsewhere, despite all the good work you’ve done! No doubt Crutchlow is none too pleased about being shuffled aside as part of this maneuvering, but what can he do about it? Word on the street is that he’s moving to Aprilia, maybe? He’d probably be a force back in World Superbike, but MotoGP wants to keep him in their series, to keep British viewers engaged, and try to prolong the facade that this isn’t basically a Spanish series.Įnough of Big Red’s politics. HRC wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” With three wins and 12 podiums, the British rider has been a valuable asset on and off track – a constant source of excellent feedback for the engineers and a key part of developing the Honda RC213V in recent years. “HRC would like to extend their thanks to Cal Crutchlow for his diligent and tireless work since joining HRC in 2015. Because he’s moving to the LCR team for the next two years, longtime foot soldier Cal Crutchlow is getting punted. This isn’t just bad news for Alex Marquez. Wonder what big brother Marc has to say about that? But, Honda’s signed Pol Espargaro to the top squad, and that means the younger Marquez is off the team. Wait, what? Alex hasn’t put in a single race with the factory team, and he’s already getting demoted? Weird. The two biggest changes: Alex Marquez, brother and teammate of eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, is moving from the Honda factory team to the LCR Honda satellite team. ![]() ![]() Both Yamaha and Honda’s factory teams are making changes, and that means impacts on other teams as well. So, racing begins in earnest this weekend, but even before this season kicks off, all the teams are looking at next year. Series organizers have whittled the season down to a shortened list of European events, with maybe a visit to Argentina, Thailand or Malaysia later (they cancelled the Austin GP last week). Of course, the 2020 MotoGP season was nearly nuked by COVID-19 pandemic so far, Moto2 and Moto3 raced at Qatar, but there hasn’t been anything else since. Alex Marquez is changing teams, Rossi is supposedly going to a satellite team-everyone’s juggling their roster. MotoGP opens this weekend at Jerez, but before the first race of the season, there’s considerable lineup shuffling going on, for the 2021 campaign. Cal Crutchlow may get into a few wildcard entries, but he's gone from LCR Honda and now has a test rider role with Yamaha. ![]()
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