Stoner backs out of Japanese GP
Added on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner backs out of Japanese GP
The Japanese Grand Prix looks to be increasingly under threat after a number of riders reaffirmed their stance that they did not want to travel to Motegi.
The Japanese Grand Prix, originally scheduled for 24 April, was rearranged following the earthquake and tsunami that hit the East coast of Japan earlier this year, rescheduled for 2 October later this year.
But despite the Twin Ring at Motegi being largely undamaged by the disaster doubts have surfaced over whether the race will go ahead, with a number of riders stating that they would not be willing to travel to Japan.
Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo and Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa have previously made their feelings known and Casey Stoner this week added his voice to those objecting to the Grand Prix, adding that he would not go to Motegi even if the race did go ahead as planned.
“I will not go,” he told a news conference at the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring on July 16.
“That’s my opinion, I have had it now for some time – not as long as Jorge – I took more time to make my decision but I will not go there.
“I am sure most riders are with the same opinion. That’s my decision and I guess it’s up to the organisers to figure out what’s going to happen.”
Yamaha’s Lorenzo had already made clear months ago that he would not race at Motegi, stating: “”I took this decision not to go to Japan a long time ago. So I am not active in the ongoing discussions about going to Japan because I have already made my decision.
“I think if we can help Japan in another way we will, but I think going there is not real support.”
The International Motorcycling Federation said this month it was monitoring the situation but the race remained on schedule.
“The FIM is waiting for the results of a report conducted by an independent European agency on the conditions prevailing in Motegi that will be released later this month,” added FIM president Vito Ippolito in a statement.
“Together with our partners and stakeholders we will continue to monitor the situation very closely to make sure that the safety and health of everyone involved is guaranteed at all times, which is an absolute priority for the FIM.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of MotoGP rights holders Dorna, told the BBC television that the issue of rider objections should the race go ahead would be a matter for the individual teams.
“It is not my problem. We have an agreement with Motegi to make the race, then we have an agreement with IRTA (the road race teams association) to bring the teams and riders,” added the Spaniard.
“Then the teams have an agreement with the riders. It is up to the teams to decide whether they will fulfil or not this agreement. But we are not considering that.
“The race will happen if the investigation is OK, and with the riders it depends on the teams.”
