Exclusive interview David Luongo (CEO Infront Moto Racing)
Fortunately, all indicators for the resumption of sports competitions are moving in the right direction. It is expected that MXGP promoter Infront Moto Racing will soon publish an updated version of the World Championship calendar. Yet there are many other hot issues in the midst of the biggest crisis in decades. MXMag had an exclusive conversation about this with Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo.
The timing of our conversation comes after months of uncertainty. There was no sector or country that was not affected by the global Covid-10 pandemic. Finally, motocross now has prospects for a restart of the MXGP world championship. Coincidentally, today the first international motocross competition (ed. Czech championship in Dalcine) takes place since Europe was locked down at the beginning of March. The tenor is therefore (cautiously) optimistic.
It is inevitable that not all issues will be resolved immediately. In any case, Luongo took plenty of time for our conversation. Some aspects received more attention than others, but the vision of Infront Moto Racing is clearly highlighted. To what extent the economic consequences will be felt in the MXGP paddock remains a matter of course. Well then!
What have you missed most lately without live MXGP races?
David Luongo: “It's a very strange feeling, I miss the adrenaline of the sport, the crowd, the drivers. The excitement of bringing MXGP around the world. Every weekend I tell myself that today we would normally be there or there for a GP.”
The British MXGP eventually became an example of how the organizer and promoter work professionally. Despite the bad weather, Despite the storm that toppled the VIP Skybox, everything went smoothly on Sunday quite perfect. And the public was also at the meeting. Does that make it all the more difficult to deal with the COVID-19 situation? There is so much that you cannot have control over.
I will: “In life you should always do your best for what you believe in. If something happens outside of your control, you have to do your best to adapt to the situation. The start of the season in the UK has been challenging due to the weather conditions. But I am proud of our team and the organizer who worked all night to prepare the track as best as possible. It ended up being a great event. The circuit was beautiful on Sunday and we had fantastic racing. All indicators for the 2020 season were positive prior to the Covid-19 crisis. Since then, we have had to adapt to the restrictions imposed around the world. We had no choice but to hit the pause button. But we are ready to start again when the situation allows us to do so. That moment is getting closer.”
The FIM WK Supercross ging end of May starting again, by MotoGP starts there next month back on. HAre you aware of developments in others? motorsport championships followed? What can you do?we know er of learning to the MXGP races as safe as possible resume?
I will: “We have certainly been in contact with all parties involved in the sport worldwide. Just to try to collect 'best practices' or find advice. But at the end of the day, every sport has a different way of managing. For example, you cannot compare an indoor sport with an outdoor sport in terms of the best way to manage this crisis. Even events where the audience watches from a stand cannot be compared to a match where spectators are on the ground floor. Then in each country there are different rules and health regulations, different ways to access the event, the number of people allowed per event, etc. It is very complicated to create one and the same protocol, as each GP operates on a different basis. will be managed differently depending on the decision of the national government. Finally, you have to deal with the problems that international travel entails. One thing is certain, we will opt for the safest way to organize a Grand Prix when we start again.”
In contrast to Formula 1 and football, Infront Moto Racing already made it clear that organizing without spectators is not an option. It is already an additional difficulty to ensure that a competition with an audience runs safely for a smaller event such as a national competition... Let alone a GP or the MX of Nations with thousands of fans from all over Europe, teams from all over the world, a festival-like atmosphere. What do you think from here? Is this an aspect where you are now better supported by Infront's involvement and sharing best practices from other sports?
I will: “As you said, MXGP is not F1. The sports that may take place without an audience are mainly financed by income from TV rights. In practice, this concerns a very limited number of sports. This is clearly not possible in MXGP. The entire economy of the GP organizers is determined by ticket sales, so races without an audience would put them in a very difficult situation. The cost of a GP is much higher than a national race because of all the infrastructure, the live TV production and the high standards of the Motocross World Championship.”
MXGP responded decisively at the beginning of March by Argentine MXGP round to be postponed. A big difference with Formula 1, which wanted to continue with the Australian GP until the last minute. Eand unprecedented crisis like this however, it continually produces surprises. This made it extremely difficult to adjust the calendar. In retrospect, there were things that je would have done differently, knowing what je now know?
I will: “Postponing the Argentina GP was very difficult because a lot of material had already been sent, but in the end it was the best choice. I don't think we would have done it differently in terms of how we dealt with the crisis. This situation is very special because you have to make a decision almost in real time. You can prepare 10 different plans and wait for the decision of the governments and then adapt to the new situation. Everyone must constantly respond to new events. Since March we have postponed more than 12 GPs, which would have been impossible in a normal situation. I would like to thank all organisers, teams, national federations and the FIM for their support in our decisions. We really feel like the MX family is united during such a difficult time. It is almost time to start again and it will be challenging and tough, but I have no doubt that we will handle the situation in the best way possible.”
I have also confident that it is possible safe and to restart for the rijders and their entourage. On the other hand, I understand the concerns of organizers. How will the public react and what impact will this have on their club's coffers? Get them as much public as usual, what is the impact of a new date and possibly worse weather on the attendance and the VIP guests... There are still many uncertainties.
I will: “It's hard to really know how the audience will react. However, I am positive and when I look around, many friends want to return to normal life. People want to have fun, go back to the stadium and the tracks, etc. I have a feeling that if the situation is well sorted out, the MXGP fans will come and support the GP and fully enjoy their passion again.”
When it comes to sports, the programming of every TV channel has been turned upside down. Sports have to compete for airtime even more than usual. A different timing can be done on paper also offer opportunities for more TV. How does it look the situation in that regard MXGP?I will: “90% of sports coverage on TV is focused on football. The rest is distributed among all other sports in the world. Over the last decade we have managed to increase MXGP's exposure on premium channels. Just think of Eurosport, CBS SN for the US, FOX Sport for Asia and some strong national TV channels such as L'Equipe for France, Rai Sport for Italy, Band Sport for Brazil, etc... The TV coverage brings a sport to the next level, it transforms a big event in the middle of the countryside with a big audience into something global. Well presented, this attracts new fans, new partners and greater recognition for the sport. We have tried in the past to change the timing of the race or change the format. What we have today is a nice compromise between the roots of our sport especially with the two-day competition format and the fact that we have 9 hours of live programming, from the classic TV channels to our own online channel MXGP-TV.com. In 2012 we were one of the first promoters to believe in an On-Demand channel for sports and today we see that it has grown into a great success with unlimited potential to reach even more viewers. Every fan of MXGP, all over the world, can watch his or her favorite sport thanks to MXGP-TV. That is certainly a great achievement and we will continue to improve in the future.”
Dhe aftereffects of the lockdown and the rollout of the World Cup 2.0 calendar are difficult in themselves. If you also have to take into account the economic impact on the motocross ecosystem I can imagine it's like walking a tightrope. On the one hand you want to have as many matches as possible – certainly because teams and rijders are paid based on the number of races they compete in – maar on the other hand, sponsors are concerned about their expenses and income of 2020 and their future prospects. This would allow them to be careful with their spending… NI can imagine that such as local authorities supporting the organisers. Then you need both the short-term consequences as a long-term weigh up. How do you feel about this?
I will: “You are right, but the best way to secure the income and future investments of all partners involved in motocross is to organize GPs and have a decent season. The MXGP economy easily represents 3.500 jobs, between riders, mechanics, journalists, organisers, partners, etc… Infront Moto Racing alone accounts for more than 150 jobs and our priority this year is to preserve them all. It's a challenging time, but I have to say that so far everyone is determined to get back to racing. We are in discussions with the FIM to exceptionally change the regulations regarding the GP schedule for this season. The EMX class program would take place on Saturday, while the MXGP and MX2 class would only complete their program on Sunday. With the fast pace we would get from August to November, it would help the teams to have a little more time between races to work on the engines and travel.”
The economic ripple effect of the Covid-19 pandemic will herself probably for a long time make you feel. At the moment, almost everyone is unsure about the effects. Some sports talk proactive over cuts en financial reformen. 2020 is for motorcycle manufacturers and the entire motocross industry then is an incredibly difficult time. Is about the future of the sport on it train of the number of GP rounds and the overseas competitions are coordinated between Infront and the other stakeholders (manufacturers, teams, World Cup partners)?
I will: “The success and development of MXGP goes hand in hand with competitions that take place worldwide. In this sense, the number of races and the number of overseas competitions are not questioned for the future. This is what has defined the dynamics of the past 20 years. After the 2008 crisis, the strategy of going outside Europe almost saved the championship. Precisely because some new countries have introduced new markets for the industry. Asia is booming for motorsports at the moment, just like South America. On the other hand, controlling expenses is very important. Just like for any business, it is important to maintain the logic between costs and revenues. This topic is continuously discussed with the various stakeholders in the MXGP.”
De factory teams in the MXGP and MX2 are the strongest financially. The riders in the WMX and EMXcategories will feel the consequences of the economic crisis differently than their GP colleagues. What do you think about this?
I will: “The situation will be addressed by stakeholders in many different ways. Unfortunately, some will have a harder time than others. But I am confident that once Covid-19 is over, we will get our great momentum going again.”
Every bad situation also has positive aspects. What do you see as encouraging signs for motocross? or possibly about this the world in general?
I will: “I am positively surprised by the unity of the entire sports industry and the MX family around this crisis. Everyone is doing their best to start again in the best condition and everyone is very motivated. The last few months have been very challenging and many people have lived in a kind of restriction of freedom. After such a moment, I am confident that we want to live 100% in the moment and enjoy our passions even more.”
On personal train canceling professional travel has freed up a lot of time. What do you have zo (re)discovered during the quarantines and how have you stayed active?
I will: “(laughing) My wife, that's just a joke!! Seriously, it was very strange to stay home for weeks when your life normally revolves around travel. I usually take 200 flights a year and none in the last 4 months. I took the opportunity to spend more time with my family, cooking and exercising a bit more, which slowed down the pace. It is certain that I miss MXGP very much!”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Gino Maes, shotbyBavo, CDS, MXGP
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