MotoGP™

Sky Sport MotoGP caught up with Dorna Sport’s CEO over in Doha to chat about some of the important topics at the beginning of 2021

In Qatar for the opening two rounds of the 2021 World Championship, Italy’s MotoGP™ broadcaster Sky Sport caught up with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta about how exciting it was to be back, the vaccine rollout in Doha, Fausto Gresini and more.

Ezpeleta explained the opportunity of giving everyone the chance to get vaccinated while in Doha, an excellent job done by all involved: “Knowing that we would have been in their country for some time. And since they had the chance, they offered us doses of the vaccine. We said thank you and immediately asked how we should move forward.”

After a season like 2020, Ezpeleta – like all of us – had great satisfaction in starting the season with MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ competing at the Losail International Circuit. “Feeling the bikes on the Friday of the first Grand Prix of the year is a good feeling. In Moto2 and Moto3, fast riders grow up who are now in MotoGP and demonstrate to be able to be competitive and go ahead of everyone right away,” continued Ezpeleta.

While it’s been a fantastic start to the season, there’s a big personality that is sadly missing from the paddock who Ezpeleta was close with: Fausto Gresini. “Last year I spoke to Fausto at least twice a week, as I did with all the team owners, and with him there was no GP where we didn't see each other at least once or twice. He had a lot of ideas and we continued to talk to each other consistently even after the end of the last Championship. Then one day he confessed to me that he didn't feel well, but I didn't know he had contracted the virus.”

Pole and P1 in Portimao - it's like a fine art! ????@FabioQ20 went back-to-back, but @marcmarquez93 was back in business ????#PortugueseGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/KWQHHmghVA
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 21, 2021

Furthermore, continuing to talk about iconic figures in the sport, Ezpeleta briefly touches upon nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT). “Valentino is a vital figure for MotoGP around the world. He is an excellent rider and he is nice, these aspects have allowed him to become who he is today. We never talked about his retirement or mine,” said Ezpeleta with a smile.

The full interview can be found on Sky Sport MotoGP’s website.