MotoGP safety representative stands by 250cc Indianapolis cancellation choice

The scheduled 250cc Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix was the big casualty of the adverse weather conditions that wreaked havoc on Sunday´s race timetable, with the quarter-litre clash eventually removed from the day´s events as a result of safety concerns.

Both the 125cc and MotoGP races had been hit by rain and high winds at The Brickyard, with neither class going the distance following the appearance of red flags. The 250cc riders had lined up for action following the curtailed 125cc clash, but an early afternoon deluge meant that they were instructed to return to their garages. With the priority being to run the eagerly anticipated MotoGP race, the 250cc contest was rescheduled to conclude the day, but when the weather made safety a problem once more it was decided to abandon the plans.

The teams were disappointed at not having been able to race, although universally understanding of the decision. MotoGP Riders Safety Representative Franco Uncini, also a member of Race Direction, explained that the choice had not been made lightly, but that it was absolutely the correct option to take.

`We cancelled the 250cc race –and part of the MotoGP race- for safety reasons. There were objects being thrown around by the wind and a lot of dust everywhere,´ said the former rider in the aftermath of the decision.

`It was windy and still raining, and we made the right decision to stop. We had taken time to look over the circuit following the MotoGP stoppage; our intention had been to restart that race, but after talking to the riders and looking at the track we made our decision to both end the MotoGP race and definitely cancel the 250cc race.