Were you won over by the Sprint MotoGP race?

Facts : This weekend marked the start of a new era for MotoGP with the introduction of Sprint races. These short events are organized every day before a Grand Prix over all the rounds of the season and allow the first 9 drivers to finish to pocket half the points of a classic race. Is this innovation positive?

Yes, by Gautier Calmels

Not only won over as a simple spectator, but convinced that DORNA has found the best way to renew its queen discipline and project it into a new era.

In this concept, no artifice such as inverted grid, BOP, ballast, DRS or any other more or less vague stratagem supposed to create a spectacle. Simply 22 drivers lined up on a grid to determine who is the best after an explosive and ultra spectacular effort.

Beyond this Sprint race, the entire MotoGP weekend is gaining in intensity. From Friday, the drivers fight to reach Q2 and secure a comfortable place on, not THE, but THE starting grids. 

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Sprint racing is by no means a revolution because it has existed in many automobile disciplines for many years. It even seems that the F1 would suggest…

This format meets a dual need. A need for spectacle for fans of the discipline who are satisfied and the need for drivers to live their passion as intensely as possible. The latter sacrificed everything for this moment when, visors lowered, they watch on the light bar which overlooks the grid for the start signal. And we vibrate with them on our sofas, so why not twice as much?

FIRST SPRINT RACE IN HISTORY 🔥#PortugueseGP #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/lViMPYKe81

- CANAL + MotoGP ™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) March 25, 2023

These very selfish considerations should of course not mask the dangers to which pilots are doubly exposed. After a first event unfortunately full of incidents this weekend, they will find their rhythm and adapt their strategy to these 42 opportunities to score points. We should expect no less from 22 champions among the best in the world.

No, by Medhi Casaurang-Vergez

Fault admitted, half forgiven, they say. So I confess: I didn't watch the MotoGP sprint race. On the other hand, I was there on Sunday in front of my television for the “real” Portuguese Grand Prix. And I didn't feel like I was missing anything!

First of all, the prospect of having to double my Moto GP viewing sessions on my couch this year puts me off. Who can decently watch 42 motorcycle races over 21 weekends, not counting Moto3, Moto2, the possible World Superbike meetings (36 races, three per meeting)? And if you are fond of motorsport, add the 23 Formula 1 Grands Prix, plus the 6 sprint races on Saturday? We are not talking about possible racingEndurance, GT, or rally ! Your weekends will be busier than your weekday schedule, which is a shame!

Even if you have a gargantuan free time at the end of the week, one aspect bothers me, especially concerning sprint races on two wheels. By doubling the number of races, you double the risk of injury. In a sport where the athlete is much more exposed than in motor racing, this is something to take into consideration.

The launch meeting in Portimao unfortunately proved this. In the space of one weekend, no less than five riders were injured in the premier category: Pol Espargaro (Aprilia), Marc Marquez (Honda), Jorge Martin (Ducati), Enea Bastianini (Ducati) and Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia). Two hopefuls were badly damaged in Moto3 (Lorenzo Fellon and Joel Kelso) and four Moto2 participants were also damaged (Izan Guevara, Alex Escrig, Kohta Nozanne, Lukas Tulovic).

💥 Clash between Bastianini and Marini 💥#PortugueseGP #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/yoKSh6iTh2

- CANAL + MotoGP ™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) March 25, 2023

The causes of these falls are varied and did not all occur in sprint races. It prevents ; the reduced format of the sprint race in MotoGP resulted in a fierce, almost unreasonable battle. The drivers bickered as if it were the final. They are the first responsible for this collective irritation, but Dorna, the organization in charge of the championship, pushes its actors to give their maximum in order to counterbalance declining attendances and audiences (except in France in particular) since the retirement of the God of motorcycle, Valentino Rossi late 2021.