The soap opera between the Romanian brand CryptoDATA, the late RNF Racing Ltd structure and Dorna like IRTA continues in this year 2024 and does not take a turn allowing an amicable conciliation to be considered. Last December, however, the parties seemed to mend their ways after a crisis arising from the exclusion decided by the promoter from the MotoGP paddock for serious misconduct. Then in January, a spike in tension appeared before this latest news which promises an explanation in court. A procedure whose stake is set at 10 million euros all the same...
Dorna vs CryptoDATA continuation but not end! Last December, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports was nevertheless optimistic about the outcome of a conflict born since the exclusion of the RNF team for serious misconduct: “ we appreciate CryptoDATA's involvement in MotoGP. During our collaboration, CryptoDATA has made a contribution to MotoGP with repercussions on several fronts. In addition to being the main sponsor of the Austrian GP, CryptoDATA became the majority shareholder and helped RNF overcome difficult times in a very short period of time ».
This official note also included declarations of Bogdan Maruntis, co-founder of CryptoDATA : " CryptoDATA's objective has never been to take care of the sports part of the RNF team because that is not our area of activity. However, we saw an opportunity to become more involved in the field of motorcycle sport and decided to help the RNF team overcome their situation. It’s been a fantastic journey and we appreciate the cooperation of the entire paddock community. We have currently achieved our proposed goals in terms of business and marketing in MotoGP and will focus on our main objective in the technology sector. We will remain fans of MotoGP and will collaborate as much as possible with the Championship ».
Then in January, CryptoDATA reported continuing its dispute with the promoter Dorna by accusing him of not having paid a significant sum of compensation. This issue was one of the highlights of the end of the 2023 MotoGP season and it has still not been resolved. CryptoDATA RNF lost his place on the team this year, with TrackHouse Racing taking its place, nevertheless continuing the satellite status ofAprilia.
CryptoDATA initiates proceedings for serious violations of contractual obligations and participation in anticompetitive practices
The former satellite team of the Noale firm thus feels wronged and defends its rights in an ongoing battle against Dorna et IRTA, which has not yet come to fruition. NOW, CryptoDATA accuses the event organizer of not respecting the agreed compensation agreement, claiming that only half of the amount was paid and that invented reasons are given for the non-payment.
CryptoDATA et Dorna So ultimately they didn't part with each other as good friends. It was also reportedly agreed that activities would be undertaken to restore the reputation of the Romanian company following this affair, but the promoter and IRTA refuse to participate. The owner of CryptoDATA reportedly initiated discussions with shareholders of Dorna, intensifying the accusations and emphasizing that Dorna et IRTA do not respect their contracts.
Here we are in February and he is now the Director of RNF Racing Ltd and CEO of CryptoDATA, Ovidiu Toma who issued a statement announcing a “ decision to initiate formal legal proceedings against DORNA Sports SL and the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) ».
As stated previously, CryptoDATA alleges he was not fully paid for former grid places RNF MotoGP, since taken up by TrackHouse, Toma having declared to crash.net : " Dorna agreed to pay us a pretty high price to sell our team... They only paid half of it. Now we are going to court in Switzerland and Spain. We'll see what the judges decide. The claim amounts to around 10 million euros ».
Today's statement, from “RNF Racing Ltd”, in which CryptoDATA contributed a 60% majority stake to Razlan Razali at the end of 2022, only speaks of “ actions that constitute an abuse of power and a violation of competition law ».
Here is the full statement: “RNF RACING LTD hereby announces its decision to initiate formal legal proceedings against DORNA Sports SL and the International Road-Racing Teams Association (IRTA) for serious violations of contractual obligations and participation in anti-competitive practices which have seriously affected our business operations and our reputation within global motorcycle sport ". Atmosphere …
