David Luongo about the hot issues in the MXGP World Championship
The consequences of the global fight against COVID-19 first made themselves felt in adjustments to the calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship. What should happen next with the MXGPs this and next season, and what about the MX of Nations? Adam Wheeler asked Infront Moto Racing general manager David Luongo.
The long line of cancellations throughout the sports world has pushed an entire sector into a gray zone. At least that is how David Luongo, who heads Infront Motor Racing, describes the rights holder of the FIM MXGP world championship. The events surrounding the corona crisis are felt everywhere in a way that is unprecedented.
However, this type of interview, which took place over the telephone, poses more questions than there are answers at this point. However, Luongo starts with a message that is close to his heart: “Before we start, I would like to thank all the medical staff everywhere for everything they are doing at this time,” he emphasizes. “I have people in my family who work in the hospital, we all need to support these people and show our appreciation.”
As for the MXGP cycle, there was a break on March 9 after the first two weekends of racing in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Subsequently, many countries began to impose travel restrictions and closed borders to contain the impact of the coronavirus as much as possible.
Several calendar changes have taken place since then. As it stands now, in the most optimistic scenario, the third MXGP round would take place in Orlyonok, Russia on June 9. Including the 74th Motocross of Nations, 19 events are planned over 25 weeks. At least if the current calendar holds. The final MXGP in Argentina on November 22 will be the last ever and will transition seamlessly into the preparation for 2021.
A difficult one question, but how you are sure there of MXGP starting again in June?
David Luongo: “At some point you have to draw a line and say: 'this is where we start'. We are already working on - perhaps - some new updates to be able to make adjustments to the calendar. Restarting in June is still under consideration, but we cannot make a clear decision at the moment. We evaluate the situation daily.”
How many matches wouldthe minimum required to complete a solid championship. In MotoGP, according to the regulations, at least 13 GPs must be held in order to qualify as a world championship.
I will: “I don't think it's right to put a number on it because we are fighting for the full championship. It is complicated to answer this question because it is still too early to say what will be possible. No minimum has been set so far. Looking at how things are developing, we are still confident that we will have a very decent and professional championship.”
The chairman of the FIM Jorge Viegas already talked about 2020 championships running until January 2021. Is this a possible option for MXGP?
I will: “Theoretically it is possible because of our contract so that we can reach the end of the year. However, at the moment we have to take everything race by race and that depends on each organiser. Motocross is a sport that takes place in the mud and so our first update [to the calendar] placed the overseas races at a time when the weather is good in their region. Organizing competitions in Europe in December is more complicated, especially regarding the maintenance of motocross tracks during that period. But all options remain open because we still have some options.”
Have you already thought about 2021? Could the season start later? Or will MXGP stick to a season start at the end of February?
I will: “The rest of 2020 will be an exceptional and tough year. An exceptional season means exceptional decisions. If everything returns to normal, we will start 2021 as usual in February and then everyone will adapt to the start of the championship. We want to return to normal business in February 2021.”
What feeling do you have when you meet the GP organizers? talk? What lives with them?
I will: “I can say that the motocross family is very united at the moment and I am very positively surprised. All organizers are fighting hard to save and organize their competitions. Also those 'on the first line' in June and July and that is really good. We depend on what happens with the spread of the pandemic. The decisions of governments in each country to open their borders will also have an influence. Today we are in a gray zone. Everyone is motivated to find solutions, but it is still too early to have a clear picture of what will happen in three to four months.”
Can you imagine it? GPs without fans to have?
I will: “That would be very difficult because the organizers are very dependent on ticket sales. The scope of TV rights is not as large as that of major sports. We cannot therefore cover the costs with this. Tickets are the largest source of income for the organizers. So I don't think this is a solution.”
Is this the hardest one? period ever to experience as a company?
I will: “Right now you have to think about your people and the industry. We want to do our best to save the championship and do it as professionally as possible. The idea is to get a rider who believes he deserves the title of world champion. In addition, we have a responsibility to more than 3000 people who work in the paddock; marketing, mechanics, team staff, journalists, everyone who depends on this championship. It is a mission for us to do our best and promote the greatest number of races and secure the greatest number of jobs possible. It is a great responsibility and we are ready to fight for it. In 2008 we also had to manage a crisis and we overcame the tough weather and the championship continued to grow. It is a very difficult moment, but we must remain positive. At Infront Moto Racing we have 150 employees, and we are motivated to complete this season even though it will be a challenge. It will be a very compact season, but we will have to live with that.”
MXGP is a weekend event and is perhaps more flexible than some of the bigger world championships such as F1 or MotoGP or even Supercross, that depends on the availability of a stadium. Is date an advantage to the games to get going again three:k?
I will: “Yes, maybe we are more flexible than the bigger sports or the championships that need a stadium, but we are really dependent on the decisions of the governments and local authorities. If everything opens up again as before, then I don't have many worries about the GPs. It's just a matter of when we can do that and when the economy will pick up again. Once we have clarity about this, we can see which Grand Prix are or are not in danger.”
The Motocross of Nations is on September 27. At the moment there are five more GPs on the calendar after that date. This gives the MXON one different timing and place opposite the World Cup calendar. Is the than a lucky that the Nations to a popular plek as Erneee gon instead of a new onee or unknowne location?
I will: “I think so, but I think it's been at least ten years now that we haven't worried about the Nations. The crowd turnout has been fantastic all this time. I think it helps a lot to come back to Ernée and the French fans are always great. I'm sure they will come and support the French team. It is a special location. It will be a strange year, but the Motocross of Nations is the biggest event of the year in off-road motorsport. That's why I'm still confident that it will be a great success. There must also come a time when we hope that everything will be normal again. People, including ourselves, will want to be outside again, throwing parties and watching motocross when this is all over and normal life resumes. So I think we are really going to have a great event this time.”
Finally, you can use the 2020 edition as an experiment consider for another timing of the MXoN? That it isn't always does it have to fall in the same period?
I will: “This was certainly not what we wanted, but we will be obliged to try this year. I'm pretty sure it will be a success and it's a nice experiment for the future...But honestly, we have a lot more things to think about when it comes to adapting for the future. We will see if it can be adjusted in a normal year or not.”
Tekst: Adam Wheeler, Tom Jacobs
Photos: MXGP, shotbyBavo, Ray Archer
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