MotoGP riders reluctant to race in flood-hit Valencia

MotoGP riders yesterday said it would be unethical to stage the season’s final race in Valencia, with six-times champion Marc Marquez saying funds needed to go to people devastated by floods instead of being spent on repairs for the event.At least 95 people have been killed in flooding has also affected the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, which hosts the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix, with pictures and videos on social media showing extensive damage to approach roads for the venue.MotoGP said the circuit itself was in good condition, adding that they were committed to holding the race on the scheduled date."Ethically speaking, I don’t think it should be held. Now (the organisers) have to meet and decide, but (if it were up to me) I would have already decided,” Gresini Racing’s Marquez told reporters."There would have to be another race, one to close the championship, but somewhere else. The only idea that would make sense would be if all the proceeds (from the event) went to the families (affected)..."As a Spaniard it is very difficult to see these images. We know that the area around the circuit has been badly damaged, but it doesn’t make sense to spend money on repairing that. Resources should go to helping people.”Reuters has approached MotoGP organisers Dorna Sports for comment.The season-ending race will likely decide the outcome of the championship, with the tussle between Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin and Ducati’s two-times champion Francesco Bagnaia set to go down to the wire.Martin is on 453 points heading into the season’s penultimate race in Malaysia this week, while Bagnaia is second in the standings on 436.Championship leader Martin urged Dorna Sports to take a call on the race as soon as possible, adding: "Valencia will be difficult."Even if the track is solved and everything is good, it’s a difficult situation in terms of respecting the people there. I think the best option will be to race elsewhere.”Bagnaia said he was also uncertain about staging the race in Valencia."Racing there is like a party, it’s a moment to enjoy.” he said. "Knowing the situation right now, that’s not correct."We have always been super respectful of what’s happening around the world. It could be wrong, to race there."If it was my choice, I would prefer not to race there. What Dorna will decide will be good, but I think we have many more options we can try.”Iannone to race again afterfour-year doping banAndrea Iannone will compete for the Valentino Rossi-owned VR46 Racing Team at this week’s Malaysian Grand Prix, the team said yesterday, confirming the Italian’s return to MotoGP for the first time after completing a four-year doping ban. Iannone tested positive for the banned steroid Drostanolone in a urine sample at the Malaysian Grand Prix in November 2019.The sport’s governing body FIM initially imposed an 18-month suspension on the Italian, which was extended to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a request from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Iannone maintained his innocence and said he tested positive because he accidentally ate contaminated meat. The 35-year-old became eligible to race again this year and competed in the Superbike World Championship."I’m honoured that they thought of me and I felt like I had to say yes to this opportunity immediately as soon as it was offered to me,” Iannone, who won the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix, said in a statement."The challenge is certainly crazy, complex and demanding, as I haven’t ridden a bike in this category for years and without having done tests or similar.”Iannone will replace Fabio Di Giannantonio, who returned to Rome for shoulder surgery."Andrea has shown to be in great shape, he closed the WorldSBK season on a high and has always remained close to Ducati. He is a great friend of the VR46 family, both mine and Vale’s,” VR46 Racing team director Alessio Salucci said.