Sports · Motorsport · 26 mins ago
MotoGP riders arrive in Qatar amid safety concerns and race uncertainty
MotoGP riders have arrived in Doha for the Qatar Grand Prix after many were reluctant to travel because of conflict in the region.
Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia said he had been worried but trusted the organisers and authorities to work for their safety.
KTM rider Pedro Acosta said the arrival had been normal and that riders also had professional and contractual responsibilities.
Yamaha has withdrawn its teams from the event, while five riders are already confirmed absent, leaving the grid at risk of becoming unusually small.
Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer, recovering from a wrist injury, is travelling to Qatar but still needs medical clearance to race.
Other riders, including Raul Fernandez, Jorge Martin and Joan Mir, are also uncertain to start, and the race itself remains in doubt.
If further riders cannot compete and no replacements are available, just 13 could start, the lowest number since 2011.
MotoGP riders arrived in Qatar for a Grand Prix weekend clouded by safety concerns and uncertainty over whether the event would go ahead.
Yamaha withdrew its teams, leaving a maximum of 18 riders in the premier-class grid before injury-related absences.
Francesco Bagnaia said he had been worried about travelling but trusted the organisers, the series promoter and the Qatar government to work for riders’ safety.
Pedro Acosta said the arrival felt normal and that he understood the decision to race as a sign that the situation was under control.
Several injured riders faced assessments or limits on their participation, including Jorge Martin, Fermin Aldeguer and Raul Fernandez.
- Who
- MotoGP riders and teams, including Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia and KTM rider Pedro Acosta.
- What
- Riders arrived in Qatar for the Grand Prix amid safety concerns, while Yamaha withdrew and several riders’ fitness remained uncertain.
- When
- They arrived ahead of Thursday’s media day; the Grand Prix weekend was due to take place that weekend.
- Where
- Lusail, Qatar.
- Why
- The event was under debate amid ongoing conflict in the region, and riders had raised concerns about travelling without sufficient safety guarantees.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jorge Martin broke his wrist in a crash at Phillip Island.
Gresini said Fermin Aldeguer would travel to Doha to try to ride.
Riders who had declared their participation were at the Lusail track for media day.
- Yamaha
- Withdrew its full roster from the Qatar weekend.
- Maximum grid
- 18 riders before further injury-related absences.
- Jorge Martin
- Had a broken wrist and was to be reviewed after the opening session.
- Fermin Aldeguer
- Had a right-hand injury and said he was not completely ready.
- Raul Fernandez
- Had a fracture on his right index finger and had been passed fit to ride.
5 sources
Marc Marquez on Qatar GP: 'I would rather be somewhere else'
Where injured MotoGP riders stand ahead of Qatar GP
Riders play nice at controversial MotoGP Qatar GP: 'Everything feels normal'
Ducati MotoGP star set for Qatar return as hopes of bigger grid boosted
What people are saying
It's true that I was a bit worried, I cannot hide, about arriving here.
We need to work together. It's better to work together.
The arrival here was normal.
The bone is still broken but the feeling is much better.