Along with its third iteration of the 2013 MotoGP Championship’s provisional calendar, Dorna has issued a statement regarding the removal of the Argentinian round from the racing schedule for next year. In its brief statement about the “non-inclusion,” Dorna cites the Spanish government’s recommendation in June of this year, which said that Repsol teams and riders should not travel to Argentina for safety reasons.
Dorna also states that on November 20th, the Spanish government rescinded this “no travel” recommendation; however, because the deadline for the calendar was November 18th, the MotoGP rights holder had no choice but to cancel of the Argentinian GP. Read in between the lines as you will, the press release is after the jump.
Press Release by Dorna Sport Regarding the Non-Inclusion of the Argentinian GP on the 2013 MotoGP Championship Calendar:
The Gran Premio de la República Argentina, which was set to take place at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit early next year, has not been included in the 2013 calendar.
On June 20th 2012, the Spanish government recommended that teams and riders sponsored by Repsol should not travel to the República Argentina due to safety reasons. Therefore, the celebration of the 2013 Gran Premio de la República Argentina remained under suspension until such recommendation would be kept in force.
The deadline for Dorna Sports, commercial rights holder of the MotoGP™ World Championship, to officially propose the 2013 MotoGP™ Calendar to FIM was November 18th.
On November 20th, the Spanish government notified through email sent to Dorna Sports the withdrawal of the above-referred recommendation, when the time for the Calendar presentation had already expired and therefore, there was no possibility to include a new MotoGP™ event.
Anyhow, Dorna Sports commits itself to include Gran Premio de la República Argentina on the 2014 Calendar and onwards, to be approved by FIM subject to the homologation of the track, which presumably shall take place within the first quarter of 2013.
Dorna Sports recognizes the Gran Premio de la República Argentina Promoter´s efforts regarding the satisfactorily termination of the construction works and the organization and promotion preliminary activities.
Source: MotoGP
Argentina nationalizes the Repsol entity in that country and the parent protests by withdrawing. Socialism at its best, eh?
Not much of a protest. I always thought sport was supposed to be non political!?!?!?!?
So wonder where the replacement MotoGP will be Jerez?
India is the best option, but at this point to late… actually was a better option to begin with (now that Dorna is papa to WSBK), Argentina vrs India as a motorcycle market is not even worth a comparison.
So the final proof is there: MotoGP=SpanoGP
What concerns me is the “cannot guarantee the safety of Repsol employees” excuse for cancelling the race. Why should a government nationalizing a company endanger Repsol MotoGP employees? I don’t see any report of threats made, or any substantiation offered fro this rather outrageous claim.
What I do know is that Dorna is owned by CVC, and CVC and Repsol are business partners in several enterprises. Which suggests that Dorna is sacrificing the good of MotoGP to serve the interests of Repsol and the Spanish government. If true, this is a very corrupt decision which brings into questions Dorna’s fitness to manage the sport.
@Chris: According to Wikipedia regarding the renationalization of YPF:
“According to a Spanish Embassy memo obtained by the Financial Times Spanish executives of YPF were “hunted down” by Argentine officials, and armed guards used “physical violence and threats.”[44] Repsol’s spokesman at YPF at the time refuted the Spanish Embassy story, however, noting that Roberto Baratta (state representative in the YPF board of directors) “was formal in his demeanor. There was no physical struggle, no pushing, or violence of any kind. The 16 dismissed executives left in their respective company cars, chauffeured to their residences.”[45]”
If it’s true, then there could be reasonable doubt as to the health and welfare of Respol Honda during travels to the area. It’s always distressing when politics gets in the way of sport. Sport is supposed to bring us together, not keep us apart.
Sounds like the Argentine’s have worken up and realised that its in the interest of their country to kick out globalisation.
if that means loosing 1 moto gp round for 12 months then so be it.
the greater good will prevail.
Strange, no one seems to ask what made the Spanish governement change their mind enough to send out an e-mail on the 20th, in which at once Argentina was declared safe for the Repsol teams?
I am sure a US sport promoter will do the same.
Or may be will you promote a NFL or NBA event in, let’s say, in Afganistan or North Corea?
best,
R.