MotoGP has settled on the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona as its new 2024 season finale venue following the cancellation of the Valencia round.
An announcement is set to come within 48 hours from series bosses Dorna to confirm that the Barcelona track will hold the replacement for the Valencian Grand Prix, following devastating flooding that has tragically resulted in the death of hundreds of people.
Following the Friday confirmation of the Valencia round being called off, the leading contender to replace it was believed to have been Qatar’s Lusail circuit - but with significantly greater costs associated with an overseas race, that idea was vetoed by Moto2 and Moto3 teams worried about budget, prompting Dorna’s home circuit in Barcelona to instead be selected.
MotoGP has already confirmed the plans informally, and says it is simply awaiting government sign-off to be able to make the Barcelona finale official.
The round will take place on the originally-scheduled dates for Valencia, November 15-17, and it will presumably also include the traditional post-season test day, although details of this are yet to be officially confirmed.
It's believed that the paddock administration machine is already underway preparing for the race, with paddock passes and bike identification stickers among the paperwork already being issued to teams.
In theory, it’s a decision that favours reigning world champion Pecco Bagnaia, at least slightly, with the Italian already a dominant winner at the circuit this season ahead of title rival Jorge Martin.
It’s likely that the choice of Barcelona will not be universally popular through the entire MotoGP grid, however, with reservations expressed on Saturday about whether it is appropriate to conclude the season in Spain given the devastation in Valencia.
“I think we don’t have to do it in Spain,” said Tech3 Gas Gas rider Augusto Fernandez. “Anywhere we go in Spain is so close to what is happening, and what is happening is not nice.
“Every day, we discover more deaths. The situation is not nice, and I don’t feel like celebrating anywhere close to that place. Anywhere, but especially close to there.”
