Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1518395
VOLUME ISSUE APRIL , P127 control and ride-height devices. There will also be a reduction of the aero winglets that have seen MotoGP machines look more like bi-planes than motorcycles in recent years. "We believe the pinnacle of the sport was during Kenny Rob - erts' glory years on his yellow and black 'Speedblock' Yamaha two-stroke. As a two-stroke lover myself (Maffei is a known two-stroke connoisseur with a range of vintage two-stroke weed wackers and hedge trim - mers), I think 750cc V-4s with no rider aids are the way for- ward for the manufacturers as we look at expanding this series into 2027 and beyond." "Two-time MotoGP World Champion, Casey Stoner, has already signaled his intention of a racing comeback on the oil burners and is said to be busy training in his homeland of the Gold Coast in Australia. "However, most interesting of all is the proposal of a com - bined MotoGP and Formula One race to be held at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, in 2025. "Liberty Media, concerned by MotoGP's lack of attendance but thrilled at the attendance for the Formula One meeting at the same venue, feels the best way to boost the former's appeal with the American public is to combine the two events in an exhibition event that will not count towards championship points for either series. "Formula One is roughly 25 seconds per lap faster around COTA," begins Maffei. "So, we thought we would start the bikes at the beginning of the esses but make it a rolling start. That way, the bikes will at least have some kind of an advan - tage, given they have around 97.2 percent less rubber to use than the F1 cars do. "This has never been at - tempted before, and I believe it will only add to the spectacle of both series and bring a record number of people through the turnstiles." The event is set to be docu - mented by Netflix in its new series Drive to Ride." Cycle News contacted Sylvain Guintoli, the soon-to-be Grand Prix Riders Association repre - sentative and former WorldSBK Champion, to comment on the proposed MotoGP/Formula One meeting. "I personally have no problem with it, but that's because I won't be racing in it," the Frenchman explained. "There is the obvious danger of being on a racetrack with a vehicle five times your size going 40 percent faster than you. However, the cars have a carbon-fiber protection cell, so at least the drivers will be safe—that's the main thing. As Kenny Roberts said, 'Riders are like lightbulbs. If you need a new one, you just screw it in.' " However, some riders are dead set against the idea of rac - ing with cars, so much so that they have taken drastic mea- sures in their personal lives as a form of protest. Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro has sold all his cars from his person- al collection and has taken out shares in the Eurail corporation with a view of becoming a train conductor after he announces his retirement tomorrow (April 2). His brother, former MotoGP rider Pol Espargaro, has gone one step further, teaming up with shipping conglomerate Maersk and helping to launch the MotoContainer World Championship, set to be held in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans from 2026 onwards. It's hard not to be pessimistic with regards to Liberty's involve - ment in MotoGP. This is an en- tertainment company, first and foremost, so you can expect to see contracted MotoGP riders being farmed out to various production companies ranging from Paramount, 20th Century Studios and Brazzers. One hopes Liberty retain a sense of what makes this sport the best in the world and doesn't gut and sell it like so many hedge-fund companies would. Liberty Media is set to for - mally announce these changes and more via company spokes- person, April Fool, at the upcom- ing Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas in Austin on April 11, 2024. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. CN