Tim Mathys: “Courage required in tough times”
Due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, there is uncertainty everywhere and not just in motorsport. For example, if the Motocross World Championship resumes, the MX of Nations would fall during the MXGP season. The calendar is just one of many concerns during an exceptionally difficult period. Editor Andy spoke about this with Standing Construct Factory GasGas team manager Tim Mathys.
“As a team it would be no problem for us to complete the MXoN between the GPs. In fact we do the same work during an MXoN as during a GP weekend. Assuming our riding 450 could drive, not much would change. But if one of them has to ride a 250 then it's a different situation.”
“Having said that, I personally don't think it's a good idea to run the MXoN between GPs. It would take away much of the charm and image of the biggest race of the year. After all, the MX of Nations are “the grand finale” of the MX season as we have known it for a long time. The question is also what the American boys will do if they possibly finish their SX season or if they are still working on the outdoors. And let's be honest, an MXoN without an American A-team is simply not an MXoN,” the team manager of Glenn Coldenhoff and Ivo Monticelli told exclusively GateDrop.com.
Time to show courage
Mathys also believes that the best option now is to wait for the governments of the different countries before making a decision about the future. Because there is a good chance that things will change. In a statement from Infront Moto Racing on Thursday, it certainly appears that this will now happen.
“I think we all have to be realistic and be brave enough to accept that things will not be as easy as some people are making them out to be. Firstly, we simply don't know how the situation will evolve in the different countries where we normally go racing. And how this will be assessed. What is happening at the moment is quite bizarre. Every time a country gives a press conference with the provisions in force “at that moment”, the calendar changes within a few hours. We are visiting about 15 countries and all of these countries will certainly change their approach several times in the coming weeks. If we keep changing the calendar every time there is a new plan from one country or another, we will have had 2020 different calendars in 30! That makes no sense. A better approach would be to follow what other sports are doing. Wait until there is a more general clear picture and then make a decision in consultation with all parties about the rest of the season and how to plan it. Collective consultation is especially important now,” Mathys added.
Economic carnage
It is a great shame that this has happened, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sponsors could be a major problem for some teams in the future. While Mathys acknowledges that he is in a good situation with Standing Construct, he is fully aware that it will be incredibly difficult for some other World Cup or European Championship teams. Will current sponsors be able to stay on board for 2021 and beyond? It will also be difficult to find new sponsors for the start of a new season.
“I would like to point out that there is an economic bloodbath going on, including in motorsport. Many manufacturers active in motocross have closed and are in a very bad situation. As a result, they cannot pay the teams the agreed budgets for this season and the question remains whether they will be able to sponsor the teams at all in 2021 and beyond. Sponsors also have major financial problems outside the sport. Fortunately, with Standing Construct we have a major sponsor who can still work and who will be able to survive this crisis and even respect all agreements made. But unfortunately, that is not the case with many other businesses that are being forced to close. If these companies are in financial trouble and have to lay off many employees, they cannot only afford financially but also morally to invest money in the sport. In addition to this economic crisis they are now experiencing, the big question is whether consumers will come back soon and whether they will start buying motorcycles and motocross gear again soon.”
Looking at the 2020 MXGP season, Mathys does not believe it would be good for the sport to complete 18 rounds in five months. Shortening the calendar when driving again seems to be a better action. While 20 MXGP rounds of MXGP are great for the fans and the media attention, it would be absolutely understandable - given the circumstances - to reduce the number of rounds this season.
Measures to save budget
“These are all realistic facts that we must take into account when we discuss the remainder of the 2020 calendar. In many other major sports there is open communication about this problematic situation. In many cases, measures have already been taken to save costs and budget when the competition restarts or even with a view to next year. Most international sports federations or promoters have also supported the teams. However, we must be realistic and understand that motocross World Championships do not have the same opportunities as other motorized sports (e.g. Formula 1, Nascar or MotoGP). But sending the teams to 5 matches around the world over a 18-month period, most of them without a free weekend in between, will incur huge additional logistics costs. That would not help the sport to survive. The promoter has done a lot of good things in the past and has usually made wise decisions. I hope they will do the same this time, for the sake of the sport we all love,” concluded the Standing Construct GasGas CEO.
In any case, plenty of food for thought from someone who has both feet firmly in the economic reality of the paddock. In any case, it will be fascinating how the future of motorsport will be affected by these developments. One thing is certain, the promoter of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Infront Moto Racing faces a very delicate balancing act.
Tekst: Andy McKinstry, Tom Jacobs
Photos: Ray Archer, MXGP
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