Tag Archives: Thai MotoGP

2020 Thai MotoGP round postponed due to coronavirus

Thai MotoGP round postponed indefinitely


Right on the heels of the Qatar season opener being cancelled for the premiere class, with new quarantine restrictions effecting riders from a number of countries, Thailand has announced that the Thai MotoGP round, due to kick off March 22 as the second round of the season will be postponed.


Update from Carmelo Ezpeleta

Following the cancellation of the MotoGP class at the QNB Grand Prix of Qatar and the postponement of the OR Thailand Grand Prix, Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has made the following statement:

“We have been in close contact with the authorities in Qatar to understand exactly what we could do. Then during the weekend, the situation changed a lot. On Saturday and Sunday it wasn’t a specific problem for anyone, but later on on Sunday we received indication from the authorities in Qatar that due to the situation in Italy and around the world, everyone of Italian nationality or residents of Italy arriving from there needs to be sure they haven’t been in Italy during the last 14 days. In those cases, it’s not that entrance to Qatar is forbidden, but anyone who has been in Italy in the last 14 days is advised that they will be quarantined for 14 days in Qatar. Obviously that’s not possible for our people, and this was what led us to cancel the MotoGP category at the Grand Prix of Qatar. Because Moto2 and Moto3 have been testing this week in Qatar, it’s possible to continue with the Championship but only with Moto2 and Moto3, as well as the Asia Talent Cup.

“We have been speaking to the authorities in Thailand all weekend and they advised us that early on Monday, Thailand time, there would be a meeting to decide which events can happen in Thailand. It’s not related to Italians or anyone of any other nationality going to Thailand, it’s that they have decided to cancel big events with large numbers of spectators. It’s different to the situation with Qatar, so we decided to postpone the Thailand Grand Prix and try to locate a date at the end of the year to make the GP possible.

“There will absolutely be a 2020 MotoGP season. We will try to continue with everything and stay aware of the situation because it’s changing day by day, but our wish is to do all the races in the 2020 season.”


Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul earlier stating the round will be postponed indefinitely due to the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, as the country seeks to reduce the associated risks with running big events with large numbers of spectators.

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

“It is necessary for us to postpone the OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020 in Buri Ram scheduled for late March for an indefinite period since Covid-19 has been declared a dangerous communicable disease which has sent a world-wide impact. This is to reflect the government’s seriousness in tackling the problem. The prime minister has been informed about this.”

Thailand MotoGP Start Finish Line Angle

Thailand MotoGP Start Finish Line Angle

Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image © Chang
International Circuit

The news comes following a highly successful 2019 MotoGP round at Chang International Circuit in Buriram.


An official statement from MotoGP further clarified the situation stating:

“As the global outbreak of coronavirus continues to develop, the Thai government has communicated that it won’t be possible to hold the OR Thailand Grand Prix on its original date. The FIM, IRTA and Dorna therefore regret to announce that the event, due to be held on the 22nd of March in Buriram, has been postponed. The FIM, IRTA and Dorna are currently evaluating if an alternative date is possible for the event later this season.”

Source: MCNews.com.au

Dorna name Thai Grand Prix best of 2018

PTT Thailand Grand Prix voted best of 2018
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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

2018 was an important year for Thailand and MotoGP. On the paddock’s first visit to Chang International Circuit for testing, fans flocked to the track to get their first glimpse of the sport and ahead of the first ever Grand Prix in the country, the pre-event in Bangkok showed the fervor for MotoGP as more than 100 representatives of the media packed in to hear the thoughts of reigning Champion Marc Marquez.

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

There was a lot of expectation but the Thai GP was an incredible success and has now been named the best of the season by the MotoGP Paddock and the decision communicated to the Grand Prix Commission.

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

Newin Chidchob
President of Chang International Circuit

“On behalf of both the people of Buriram and Thailand, we are extremely honored to receive the MotoGP Grand Prix of the year 2018. We are sincerely grateful for the recognition we have received for PTT Thailand Grand Prix. Of course, during the preparation of the event we ran into countless obstacles, but in overcoming them we grew, and ultimately resulted in the success of the event. A big thank you to all our event and circuit sponsors especially the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and PTT Public Company Limited for the immense support during this event. We must also thank the people of Buriram, for showing the capability of Thai people to the world. Many of the unique functions of the event such as the “E-Tan” truck which we utilized as the event’s shuttle bus. The Muay Thai (Thai boxing) expo to showcase Thai martial arts and culture. Not to mention all the volunteers who came to simply pick up the trash and keep the event clean. Everyone really came together to make this sports entertainment experience for our visitors from around the world unforgettable. Lastly, we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our good friends Dorna Sports who saw potential in us and gave us the opportunity to be a part of the world’s greatest motorcycle series. We promise to always use the experience gained in every event to create a better PTT Thailand Grand Prix every season. Thank you!”

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

The event at Buriram was also the best attended with over 220,000 people heading to Chang International Circuit over the three days. They were treated to a modern classic as Marquez fought it out with Andrea Dovizioso down to the final corner, coming out on top for the first time in one of the pair’s many head-to-head duels in the last few seasons.

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

Herve Poncharal, President of IRTA

“The whole MotoGP paddock was keen to discover how the new Thai GP would be, we were impatient for it to arrive and there was plenty of expectation. In the end we can be assured it was the best GP of the season due to many different aspects – we expected good, but we didn’t know quite what they would be able to achieve. Everything went smoothly, the commitment of the organisers was fantastic and they faced any problems through the weekend quickly, trying to find solutions as soon as possible. The crowd, the people…every single person involved was happy and always smiling. The fans’ support was incredible, the access to the circuit was fast and they demonstrated that they understood MotoGP – creating a commercial area close to the paddock, giving good exposure to our businesses, investors, sponsors, teams and riders. It’s also significant that a new event in this area – an important region for MotoGP – has achieved this result. It’s a perfect example for other countries to follow and this prize is fully deserved. From my point of view it will be hard for them to improve!”

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

It was an exciting and fitting debut, with the Thai venue and crowds providing the perfect backdrop. Rewarded for the incredible organisation, facilities and atmosphere at the event, the Thai GP will now look ahead to 2019 in a bid to retain the prestigious prize.

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports

“I was delighted to welcome Buriram onto the MotoGP calendar and I’m delighted to see the Thai GP be recognised as the best this season. Asia is an important market for the Championship and events like Buriram only further underline the incredible popularity of our sport in the region. They are a perfect blueprint for future events and we’re excited to return to Buriram already.”

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Thailand MotoGP 2018 – Image by AJRN

 

MotoGP 2018 – Thailand Race Results
Chang International Circuit, 26 laps, 118.4 km (1 lap: 4.554 km)
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Marquez M. Repsol Honda 39:55.722
2. Dovizioso A. Ducati Team +0.115
3. Vinales M. Movistar Yamaha +0.270
4. Rossi V. Movistar Yamaha +1.564
5. Zarco J. Monster Tech 3 +2.747
6. Rins A. Team Suzuki Ecstar +3.023
7. Crutchlow C. LCR Honda +6.520
8. Bautista A. Angel Nieto Team +6.691
9. Petrucci D. Alma Pramac Racing +9.944
10. Miller J. Alma Pramac Racing +11.077
11. Iannone A. Team Suzuki Ecstar +15.488
12. Syahrin H. Monster Tech 3 +17.691
13. Espargaro A. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +21.413
14. Morbidelli F. Marc VDS Racing Team +22.802
15. Smith B. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +23.628
16. Redding S. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +23.804
17. Abraham K. Angel Nieto Team +32.507
18. Simeon X. Reale Avintia Racing +37.216
19. Torres J. Reale Avintia Racing +39.204
20. Luthi T. Marc VDS Racing Team +39.421
21. Espargaro P. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +53.388
22. Nakagami T. LCR Honda +2 l.
DNF Pedrosa D. Repsol Honda DNF

Source: MCNews.com.au