Brazil MotoGP podium finishers defend organisers amid track controversy

The organisers of the Brazilian MotoGP round have been defended by the podium finishers in Goiania amid controversy over the state of the track.

Five minutes before the race start time in Goiania the race was reduced by 31 laps to 23 due to track damage.

After the race, MotoGP tyre supplier Michelin stated that the reduction in distance was not done at its request.

Also post-race, Marc Marquez said that he lost a podium finish because the track surface was coming apart in turn 11 where he ran wide shortly after first moving into third place. There were also reports of riders being hit by pieces of the track that were being thrown up at trailing riders by the rear tyres of those in front.

This came a day after the Saturday schedule in Brazil was delayed by an hour in the afternoon due to a hole that emerged in the track surface on the start-finish straight after MotoGP qualifying.

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Despite the issues with the surface, race winner Marco Bezzecchi said he was pleased with the job the organisers did during the weekend.

“I have to say that honestly I’m super-happy about the job that they [race organisers] did to the track because they make everything in a really short amount of time,” he told the post-race press conference.

“The effort that they put yesterday to make us race even if they found a problem on the straight was amazing. So, I think the organisation made a wonderful job. 

“It’s true that we had some small issues on the track, but at the end it’s a completely new resurface, a completely new outside of the track, a completely new paddock, so I think we have to be happy. 

“Of course, it’s difficult when also the weather was like this. We’ve been super-lucky yesterday and today, but honestly I can’t really complain a lot. I think they made a very good job.”

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Jorge Martin finished second in the race and shared his teammate’s opinion on the track, although he added that e felt it made sense to shorten the race by eight laps.

“For me it’s the same as Marco [Bezzecchi] said,” Martin began.

“Wednesday it seemed like almost the GP was cancelled [due to heavy rain that caused flooding in the region], so finally, thanks to all the people that were working, we could race. 

“I wasn’t sure why they did a shorter race, but as soon as I was behind Marc [Marquez] and Fabio [Di Giannantonio] I understood because some stones were coming through my fairing and my body. But I feel okay. 

“I think it was really important to race here in Brazil and it was an amazing weekend, so for sure they will improve for next season and everything will be clear.”

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Fabio Di Giannantonio was the beneficiary of the aforementioned mistake from Marc Marquez at turn 11, and the VR46 Ducati rider was another who appreciated the efforts of the organisers to make the race happen.

“They made an incredible job overall, at the end,” he said.

“It’s not easy for a country to come back to this level of racing with all these requirements from us as MotoGP and motorsport. 

“The track itself is amazing, the fans were unreal, the organisation did their best – even outside the track with a lot of help to get to the track, all these things. I think they took care of this weekend, of the event, and put all the effort to make the best possible. 

“For sure there are some places they can improve, but overall I think it was the best approach that a country can have to make us feel comfort. 

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“On my side, I feel okay, for sure the asphalt can improve, but it was a really great weekend overall, I enjoyed every moment, so I’m happy that we’ve been to Brazil.”

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