Valencia will not hold the MotoGP season finale despite promotor Dorna’s initial plans to race there amid the tragic flooding in the region.

Dorna has officially announced plans to cancel the event and is looking for an alternative venue to host the race, probably at a later date than the scheduled 15-17 November weekend.

With the paddock set up at Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix, meetings are taking place between the parties involved in what is a very critical decision, given the sensitivity of the matter.

As early as Thursday, Dorna’s initial idea, coordinated with the FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme), was to try to keep the Valencia circuit as the chosen venue for the last grand prix of the season.

In the hours that followed, the possibility of moving the race a week later to Sunday 24th November briefly emerged as an option – one that was even communicated to several riders on the MotoGP grid.

However, Motorsport.com understands that by Friday afternoon there had been a considerable change in viewpoint among Dorna bosses, who began to consider Valencia unfeasible.

With that in mind, the Spanish company’s directors are already working to find an alternative to close the title fight between Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia, which could be resolved this Sunday in Malaysia – although only in favour of the Spaniard. Martin would have to score 21 points more than the Italian to settle the championship early.

Photo by: Paco Alcobendas

«MotoGP stands with the Community of Valencia following the devastating floods that have affected the area. Our hearts are with all those who have been lost and those who have lost so much,» read statement from MotoGP.

«We have been in constant contact with the local authorities and the circuit to best assess how we can help and how we should proceed. We have a responsibility to every region where we race that goes far beyond the sport and the events.

«After carefully weighing up the potential positive impact of MotoGP racing in Valencia on delayed dates versus ensuring no single resource is diverted from the recovery efforts by the presence of MotoGP , the championship and local authorities have been obliged to cancel the 2024 Valencia GP.

«In lieu of racing in Valencia, MotoGP will instead race for Valencia. The championship will put our collective efforts behind backing the relief funds already in place to ensure our positive impact can connect with the area in the way it best serves the people and communities we have been part of for so long.

«Our efforts will begin during the Malaysian GP and continue at the final round of 2024, with a new venue and dates to be announced as soon as confirmed.

«Fans around the world, our athletes, and paddock deserve a sporting finale to the 2024 season, and one that can make a key contribution to supporting the communities we race in.

«Any further information regarding the season finale will be confirmed as soon as possible.»

The official death toll from the floods stood at 158 earlier on Friday, although forecasts point to a much higher figure given the number of people still missing.

In this context, in which up to 20 towns are without drinking water and the army is deployed in the area, Dorna’s directors have finally reached the conclusion that there seems to be no possible justification for organising a grand prix in Valencia.

There had already been very strong statements by riders such as Marc Marquez and Bagnaia, who on Friday insisted that he did not plan to travel to Valencia to race there, even if it would cost him the title.

“I hope they [at Dorna] take into consideration the fact that on an ethical level, with what is happening, it is not the right thing to do,” said the reigning champion. “Even at the cost of losing the ultimate goal for me, which is the title, I’m not willing to race in Valencia.”

Motorsport.com understands that four alternatives are now being considered for a replacement finale: Qatar, Jerez, Barcelona and Portimao.

In the event that the Losail circuit is chosen, Formula 1 will occupy the track the week of 25 November to 1 December which would lead MotoGP to look for a date that would probably be the Sunday before (24 November).

What does seem clear is that the closing race of the season will not be held on the scheduled date (15-17 November).

Double MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia has said he will boycott the season finale if it goes ahead in flood-hit Valencia as planned.

The factory Ducati rider, who is currently trying to reel in Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin as he chases a third straight title, is one of several to have voiced ethical concerns about sticking to the planned Valencia venue given the current flooding and loss of life in the region.

Despite the concerns of these riders and others in the paddock at this weekend’s penultimate event in Malaysia, Autosport understands that staging the race in Valencia remains the priority for MotoGP organisers – even if this means postponing the date from the originally planned November 15-17 weekend.

Having already outlined his moral issue with a Valencia race in the pre-Malaysian Grand Prix press conference on Thursday, Bagnaia dropped the bombshell on the first day of track action at Sepang. 

Circuit Ricardo Tormo after flooding

Photo by: Paco Alcobendas

“Even at the cost of losing the ultimate goal for me, which is to win the title, I am not willing to race in Valencia,” said the Italian, who trails Martin by 17 points ahead of the Malaysian GP.

“I very much hope that they will take into consideration the fact that on an ethical level and with what is happening it is not the right thing to do.” 

While Martin has said it would be better to race elsewhere, he confirmed on Friday that he would take part in the race if it goes ahead in Valencia.

«It is a very delicate situation, both for us riders and for Dorna. It seems very difficult and hard to go to Valencia, for everyone. I [will follow] the decision of Dorna and the government. If in the end they decide to hold the race there, we will have to go.»

Bagnaia got his weekend in Malaysia off to a perfect start on Friday by going fastest in FP1 and then ensuring his passage into Q2 by topping the times in Practice.

Martin was second-fastest in the latter session after falling in an attempt to respond to Bagnaia’s late time.

The points leader’s best lap was however just 0.050s slower than that of the man pursuing him for the title.

“All year long we’ve been neck and neck with Jorge,” reflected Bagnaia. “We are used to these fights.”

Bagnaia was then asked if leading both sessions was intended as a psychological strategy.

“It’s difficult to go out looking to finish first in both sessions on Friday,” he said. “I’ve only done it before at Assen.

“Jorge ended up crashing, but I don’t think it was because of this. There is always a bit of pressure, it’s normal. But our goal is to win, not to intimidate anyone.”

Photos from Malaysian GP Practice

Factory Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has insisted that Enea Bastianini will not be expected to help team-mate Francesco Bagnaia win the MotoGP riders’ championship over the final two weekends of the season.

While Bagnaia could certainly use support in his quest to overhaul a 17-point deficit to Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin, Bastianini is embroiled in a fight of his own for third place.

Italy’s Bastianini is currently fourth, 11 points behind Gresini Ducati’s Marc Marquez, as MotoGP prepares for this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, the penultimate stop on the calendar.

“We haven’t spoken with Enea [about team orders],” said Tardozzi. “He is fighting with Marc for third place. There are no team orders and there is no discussion about this matter.

“So far each of them [Bagnaia and Bastianini] has been fighting for his own position in the championship – third is much better than fourth, obviously.»

Bastianini, who will move to KTM next season as Marquez takes over his ride at the Ducati factory team, added that he will ride for himself at Sepang and at the season finale.

“I’m competing freely,” said the British and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix winner. “I’ve also got something to contribute at the end of the season; I can bring that third place. I’m really close to it.

Enea Bastianini, Ducati Team, Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“Both Marc and I have committed some mistakes in the last period, losing time and points. I need to close that small gap to try to be able to fight at Valencia.”

Bastianini arrives at Sepang with both circuit and current form. He won last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix at the Kuala Lumpur venue and also won the sprint race last weekend in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi has reiterated that he considers the fight between Martin on the independent Ducati and Bagnaia on the factory machine to be completely free of any favouritism by the Italian manufacturer.

Despite Pramac switching to Yamaha machinery next season and Martin moving to Aprilia, Borsoi gave the media nothing to work with when he was questioned about the subject at a press conference alongside Tardozzi on Thursday.

“Next year is another story,” replied Borsoi. “Next year is the future. As I’ve said several times, Ducati has never fought against us in terms of giving us all the tools and support.

“They are the only team in the paddock that gives us the tools and the chance to fight for the championship. So far no factory team [has given the same kind of] support as Ducati.

“I don’t want to say anything more. It’s clear they are really beside us and helping us.”

Borsoi’s comments were followed shortly after by a warm embrace with Tardozzi.

Pramac won the teams’ championship in 2023, but the factory team wrapped up the 2024 title last weekend in Thailand.

World championship leader Jorge Martin says he is a less nervous and a more mature rider than he was at this stage of his 2023 points battle with Francesco Bagnaia.

Pramac Ducati’s Martin heads into this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, the penultimate event of the season, with a lead of 17 points over factory Ducati rider Bagnaia. Last year he came into the penultimate round as the chaser, 14 points behind Bagnaia – and ultimately lost out at the final round.

Speaking ahead of the Sepang weekend, Martin claimed to be far more relaxed as the duo repeat their battle in 2024.

“Last season I was really tense and really nervous,” admitted the Spaniard. “I was really struggling with the situation and I felt a lot of pressure.

“This year, pressure is there but I think I’ve improved a lot. I’m much more mature now. I know I can lose it but I know I can win it. Last year I lost it and nothing happened to me – it’s not the end of the world!

“I try to learn from the pain and the bad moments. I think that’s where you learn more – losing can also be really exciting!”

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

For his part, Bagnaia said he would thrive on the pressure of chasing – and that he needs to cut Martin’s advantage to under 10 points heading into the final round.

“Pressure is always there but it’s nice to be in this situation,” remarked the reigning champion. “I love to be in this situation. It’s a critical situation for [the rider chasing]: you know you have to be fast because you cannot lose points. You have to be the faster one but you cannot make mistakes.

“I will try to win both races and close the gap. We have to try and gain more than the three points we gained in Thailand last weekend. We need to go away from this weekend with a gap of less than 10 points.”

The Italian pointed out that Martin would also face his own brand of pressure trying to guard a lead.

“We’re at a moment where I have to take a bit more risk than Jorge. He can be more calm. He doesn’t need to make mistakes because he can also finish second.

“But I was in Jorge’s situation last year and I know it’s a situation where you feel like you need to be more calm. Being competitive in this situation is not easy.»

Where exactly that final round will take place remains an open question given the doubts around the Valencia venue. The region is currently dealing with a major flood situation that has cost lives as well as heavily damaging at least one of the circuit access roads.

Martin and Bagnaia joined a number of riders to argue on Thursday that the finale should be moved elsewhere.

“Valencia will be difficult even if everything [around the circuit] is solved. It’s a difficult situation [in terms of] respect for the people over there. The best option would be to race elsewhere,» said Martin.

Asked which alternative venue would be ideal from his perspective, Martin joked: “For sure I wouldn’t want to go to Assen. Pecco is so strong there!”

Bagnaia underlined the ethical issue with racing in Valencia in somewhat stronger terms.

“For me, the ethical side is the most difficult thing. Racing there is like a party…it’s a moment to enjoy. But knowing that the situation is what it is, it’s not correct. It could be wrong to race there.

“If it were my choice, I would prefer not to race there. It’s not my decision, but we have many more options.”

Regarding alternative venues, Bagnaia said: “Assen could be good, but it’s too cold. Mugello, maybe!”