MotoGP Spectators At The Circuit Dropped Drastically Due To Valentino Rossi's Retirement, This Is The Answer From The Dorna Sport Boss

Former MotoGP racer, Valentino Rossi. (Photo: Instagram.com/@valeyellow46)

JAKARTA - Previously, there were predictions that the fanfare and enthusiasm of MotoGP racing lovers would be high again after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided in several countries. However, the reality is quite the opposite.

Not long ago, Speedweek reported that the number of MotoGP spectators in several countries continued to decline. This source also includes a record of the number of spectators at the Mugello MotoGP at the end of last month, which only amounted to 74 thousand people.

In fact, in the 2019 season or before the pandemic, there were 139 thousand people who attended the circuit. The decline in audience attendance did not only occur at Mugello but also at the Catalunya Circuit an iconic place that is usually packed with spectators.

From the records described by Speedweek, in that series, there were only 115,000 people who attended. That number means a decrease of 43,000 compared to the 2019 season.

This situation is associated with the retirement of Yamaha's iconic racer, Valentino Rossi, who decided to retire.

Rossi's retirement is widely considered to have influenced the desire of fans to attend directly on the circuit. The CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, has the answer to this question.

"Does Valentino's absence matter? We'll see at Misano because at Mugello, there's a bit of promotion. There was a ceremony for the retirement of number 46 on Saturday and people were there," Ezpeleta said as quoted by Motosan.

Even though he agrees with this, Ezpeleta also said that every fan will also definitely turn over their new leaf and find other riders to support.

"To be honest, I think people are turning over a new leaf," he added.

"But Valentino is not only in Italy. One day, I will review (the stands), because it is my duty and see how things are there. There are still a lot of people wearing their clothes, they keep buying merchandise," he said.