Flash Flood Damages Valencia Circuit, MotoGP Final Race Canceled?

JAKARTA - The storm of funds that hit Valencia Province on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, caused flash floods. The disaster caused many facilities to be heavily damaged, even so far 51 people have died.

One of the important facilities severely damaged is the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia. In fact, the plan is for the circuit to be the final event for the 2024 MotoGP on November 17, 2024.

As a result, the 2024 Valencia MotoGP event is in danger of being postponed even though it is still two weeks away.

"The most important thing is that everyone on the circuit is fine. Everyone can spend the night safely at the circuit facility."

"Now the damage assessment process is starting which will tell us to what extent this (Badai) Fund will affect our next event with full guarantees," said Nicolas Collado, circuit general manager, as reported by The Race.

Video footage on social media shows severe damage to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. The main entrance to the track was swept away and impassable.

The route, which is located near the main gate, was also completely destroyed. There are reports that the external car parking lot of the circuit has been flooded.

MotoGP organizers, Dorna Sports, are unlikely to pressure local authorities to ensure circuits can be available on a predetermined schedule.

In addition, Valencia also did not allow it to hold a celebration which is usually visited by around 100 thousand people at the world's most prestigious motorcycle race.

Until now, Dorna Sports has not provided an official statement regarding the final MotoGP 2024 series in the midst of the ongoing reconstruction of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

If it is canceled, it will mark the second time this season extreme weather has caused the cancellation of the MotoGP race.

Previously, the cancellation of the MotoGP race took place at the Sokol Circuit, Kazakhstan. In fact, the Kazakhstan series previously wanted to make its debut in the 2024 MotoGP.

However, the large floods that hit the area made Dorna Sports cancel the Kazakstan series because it interfered with operations and logistics. Before the cancellation, Dorna had time to convey the delay first.

If that happens in Valencia, Dorna will be given time to try to find an alternative place to end the 2024 MotoGP season.

With about two weeks, other southern European circuits, such as Jerez or Portimao, have the potential to be ready on time to host the final MotoGP 2024 race series.

The two alternative circuits also allow for racing with reduced number of guests and spectators.

It remains now how Dorna prepares logistics as quickly as possible if it really wants to move locations.

Meanwhile, the fight for the 2024 MotoGP world title only leaves two riders, namely Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia.

Martin currently leads the drivers' standings with a collection of 453 points, or 17 points ahead of defending champion Bagnaia.