MotoGP, Ezpeleta: “Vaccinated riders, a model for society”

Now that the MotoGP tests have concluded and we await the opening race of the season, set to take place in Qatar in 28 March, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has talked about the vaccine situation in the world championship paddock. During their recent two week stint at Losail, some of the riders took the opportunity to have the vaccine, kindly provided by the Qatari government. These riders included Maverick Vinales, Valentino Rossi, Francesco Bagnaia and Pol Espargaró, and also Marc Marquez who flew to Doha to receive his dose.

“Thanks to the MotoGP family”

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“The government of Qatar - says Carmelo Ezpeleta during an interview with MotoGP.com – where the vaccination programme is going very well, gave us the possibility to vaccinate the paddock and this is something incredible. The entire MotoGP family really appreciates it”. The Moto3 and Moto2 riders will be arriving in Qatar this week, and then the 2021 MotoGP championship will get underway the following week, with rounds one and two taking place at the Losail circuit.

Greater safety, less infection

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Last season saw various riders as well as technicians come down with Covid-19, and so the possibility to have the vaccine means greater safety for everyone, also in light of the significant traveling the MotoGP circus undertakes during the year: “Every individual will decide whether to have it or not - continues Ezpeleta – The majority of people have accepted and are very happy to have it, while some haven’t been able to, for various reasons. We’re pleased because these vaccinations allow us to increase safety and lower the risk of infection. Our riders are very popular, especially with younger generations. I think this is an important model for society. Thanks to Qatar, we can show the world how important it is that our heroes are vaccinated”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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