Yamaha Pulls Out of Qatar MotoGP;
What We Know
M
otoGP is facing a significant
crisis after pressing ahead
with plans to travel to Doha
for the Grand Prix of Qatar this
weekend amid riders' frustration
and one of its five manufactur-
ers breaking ranks.
The fact the Qatar GP is set to
go ahead on November 6-8 de-
spite U.S. President Donald Trump
threatening to resume attacks
on Iran after the midterm elec-
tions (and Iran's Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei promising to
retaliate) has caused great alarm
throughout the paddock.
Although MotoGP Deputy CEO
Carlos Ezpeleta visited Qatar in
the days before Sepang to be
informed of a contingency plan
should things escalate, many
asked the question: why take
the risk?
"There's a lot of uncertainty
there," said Jack Miller. "To put
on a global event [means] we're
not hiding the location or time of
day we'll be there."
As they did at Phillip Island, all
MotoGP riders met daily at the
Malaysian Grand Prix to present
a united front and voice their
displeasure. Nineteen of them
oppose going to Qatar, while
two don't. As of Monday eve-
ning, Cycle News understands a
considerable number are consid-
ering refusing to travel there this
week.
WIND
IN THE
P44
The Qatar GP is on very shaky ground, but at this stage it
will go ahead, even without any Yamahas.
