MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS
At least six GPs have been tentatively
rescheduled to run as late as October and
November, so where does this leave the
Motocross of Nations, still grimly hanging on to
its September date on the calendar? Will the
factory teams allow their riders to represent
their respective countries in what will now be the
middle of the GP season?
Stefan believes, and we agreed with him, that
any team which has a rider close to securing
a world title, or at least with a good chance of
finishing among the top three, would be highly
reluctant to back an MXoN bid.
The Americans have, on several occasions in the
past, not needed too much of an excuse not to
go to the MXoN when it’s staged in Europe, or
perhaps have sent only a “B” team.
The participation of Team USA is so important
for many who would say that this “Olympic
Games of Motocross” is incomplete without
them, but, looking at the situation in the United
States right now, bike racing is probably the least
of their concerns.
WHAT ABOUT AMA?
Besides all of this, the AMA Supercross series
(and motocross series too) has also been looking
to resurrect itself and run on dates later in the
calendar and this will perhaps also create date
conflicts with the MXGP and MXoN schedules.
The domino effect of the re-jigged MXGP
calendar will also have a negative impact on
domestic championships throughout Europe,
many of them setting dates around the GP riders
to allow them to drop in and give added profile
to their events – GP “stars” are crowd-inducing
draw-cards on any occasion.
Planning for events at any level below GP status
must also be virtually impossible right now.
Stefan said: “For the time being, mass events
(sports/music and others) are not allowed
in Belgium until August 31. A mass event in
Belgium is described in COVID-19 times as a
‘manifestation’, where the organisation of the
event cannot guarantee that the spectators
can stay at least 1.5 metres apart for the entire
duration of the event.
“Also for InFront (promoter of the MXGP
world championships), the FIM, constructors,
organisers, teams, drivers and sponsors, the
motocross world championships have major
political and financial interests at stake.”
FIM MXGP ANNOUNCEMENT
On April 16, all parties involved received this
official announcement from the promoter
and FIM:
“Following the latest announcements of
some National Governments concerning the
postponement of mass events, Infront Moto
Racing and the FIM are closely following the
situation in the jurisdictions where MXGP takes
place in 2020 and awaiting further news.
“Once the reopening phase post COVID-19
lockdown and its impact to events such as MXGP
is clearly defined, a 2020 MXGP Calendar review
will be completed and further information on
the next Grand Prix events will be released.”
So it’s obviously still a very unsettled situation
and it could be weeks or even months before
a clear picture emerges, whether dates can be
agreed upon, whether racing commitments
can be honoured, whether transport systems
can offer or even cope with the movements
of race teams, equipment, spectators and so
forth (and that’s assuming that fans might still
be keen on tripping around Europe right now...
highly unlikely).
Perhaps the racing may only go ahead “behind
closed doors”, perhaps to be broadcast on live-
streaming or TV network platforms.
SECOND WAVE
Stefan said: “In France, the decision to allow a
mass event like the Tour de France [bicycle race]
from the end of August has political and financial
implications. Organisation ASO and sponsors
of the event and the teams and participants
have undoubtedly exerted pressure to
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