Carmelo Ezpeleta is the boss of a promoter Dorna notably responsible for the speed championships, i.e. the Grands Prix, and WSBK. In a world shaken by a pandemic which, unfortunately, continues, setting up and running a global competition is a challenge. However, this is what was done in 2020 and which will be carried out in 2021. In an interview, Carmelo Ezpeleta returns to this situation and in particular to the importance of the paddock vaccination campaign launched from Qatar. He also talks about Rossi and Marc Marquez, whom he would like to see reconciled…
Carmelo Ezpeleta is the one who allowed the Grand Prix paddock to still be standing, despite the shock suffered by the global health crisis. To achieve this result, it was necessary to adapt and rely on the solidarity between its flock. In an interview with Los Desayunos de Europa Press, he says thus: “ the realization of last year's motorcycle world championship with the pandemic would hardly have been possible without the help of the Higher Sports Council ". He adds : " the important thing was to organize the championship ».
However, there was indeed an economic impact: “ I think it's useless to know if Dorna won or lost, the important thing was to make the championship. Our mission is to organize the World Championship and give it maximum exposure. If we raise money afterwards, that's fantastic. The economic impact has been very strong, but we can bear it thanks to the strength of Dorna and its shareholders ».
Carmelo Ezpeleta then returns to the vaccination campaign which is essential for the continuation of events in this year 2021: “ Getting vaccinated in Qatar allows us to have a much safer world championship for all other countries. If we had had the vaccines before, Fausto Gresini would still be with us. This leads me to say that we will do everything possible, as quickly as possible for this vaccination » insists the Spaniard.
Ezpeleta: “Marquez and Rossi are now more mature”
In a context of crisis, sharing the spotlight with another motorsport discipline, in this case Formula 1, may seem like a problem. But the Spaniard ensures good understanding between the two worlds: “ there is a strong link with F1, more than ever, as in television issues, digital transformation, calendars and timetables. We must walk together because we are complementary ».
Finally, a show needs stars, and in MotoGP, we are even entitled to two living legends, in this case Valentino Rossi et Marc Marquez. However, the two have been at war since 2015. Ezpeleta sees it as a waste: “ Marc Marquez needs to come back when he's fit, and that's what I think he'll do. He and Valentino Rossi are very important. They are more mature now, they have to decide, they both know what happened. I'm not going to go up to them and tell them to be friends ». Ezpeleta can't do everything either...
