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Championship leader Jorge Martin is seeking advice from his close friend and rival Francesco Bagnaia on how to secure his first title at this weekend's Grand Prix of Barcelona. Martin holds a 24-point lead over Bagnaia, a reversal of last season's situation when Bagnaia successfully defended a 21-point advantage.Martin can clinch the title with a victory in Saturday's sprint race, but any mistakes could allow Bagnaia to snatch it away. "Maybe 'Pecco' (Bagnaia) can give me advice because he was like this last year," Martin said.Martin has adopted a different approach this season, focusing on riding at his best rather than dwelling on the title. "I am not thinking about it. I didn't think about it all season so I want to focus on what I can control," he said.Despite Bagnaia's impressive 10 grand prix wins this season, Martin's consistency has kept him in contention. "I feel much more free because I just have to do what I can do, enjoy the weekend and try to win," Martin said.Bagnaia acknowledges the challenge but remains determined. "You never know," he said. "You can't escape from pressure. It's difficult to live with but we are racers and we have to do the best as possible."The race was originally scheduled for Valencia but was moved to Barcelona due to devastating floods in the region. It has been dubbed the Solidarity GP to show support for the affected communities.

Jack Miller's Sepang Crash: A Sobering Reminder of MotoGP's DangersJack Miller's harrowing crash at the Malaysian MotoGP on Sunday served as a stark reminder of the inherent risks faced by riders in the high-octane world of motorcycle racing. The Australian KTM star was involved in a dramatic incident on the opening lap, colliding with teammate Brad Binder and Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.Miller's head appeared to strike the back of Quartararo's bike, sending him tumbling to the ground. The 29-year-old received immediate medical attention on the track before being taken to the medical center. Fortunately, he was cleared of any serious injuries."Lucky to walk away from that one... thank you to everyone for the kind messages," Miller wrote on Instagram.The race was red-flagged due to the severity of the crash. When it restarted, Binder attempted to rejoin but was forced to withdraw due to pain in his left shoulder. Quartararo continued and finished in sixth place.KTM Racing Manager Francesco Guidotti expressed his concern, stating, "It was very bad to see." He added that Binder's shoulder pain prevented him from safely continuing the race.The incident highlighted the ever-present danger that riders face in MotoGP. Despite the advancements in safety measures, crashes remain an unavoidable part of the sport.The penultimate race of the season was eventually won by Italian world champion Francesco Bagnaia, who extended his championship lead over Spanish rival Jorge Martin. The season finale, originally scheduled for Valencia, was canceled due to deadly flooding in the region. Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya has emerged as a potential replacement, with Martin needing a victory to secure his first world title.

The Indian Grand Prix, a highly anticipated event on the MotoGP calendar, has been postponed to 2026 due to operational challenges. The race, initially scheduled for September 2023, was first deferred to March 2025. However, unforeseen circumstances have necessitated a further delay.The postponement was announced by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA), and Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP. In a statement, they cited "operational circumstances" as the reason for the delay.The Indian Grand Prix was set to be held at the Buddh International Circuit, which hosted the inaugural race in 2023. Over 50,000 fans witnessed the thrilling event, making it the largest motorsports spectacle in India since the last Formula 1 race in 2013.However, the Indian Grand Prix has faced several challenges in recent years. Formula 1, which had a brief three-year stint in India, was discontinued due to financial and taxation issues. The MotoGP race has also encountered similar obstacles.In July 2023, Dorna signed a new three-year contract with InvestUP, the Uttar Pradesh government's agency, to keep the Indian GP on the calendar from 2025 to 2027. However, the operational challenges have forced a postponement to 2026.Despite the setback, both MotoGP and InvestUP remain committed to bringing the race back to India. They are working diligently to ensure a world-class event that will showcase India as a destination for global sporting events.The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a fresh tender to find a new co-promoter to execute the mega event, which is estimated to cost around 160 crores. Approximately 100 crores of this amount will be reserved for Dorna, the rights holder.The postponement of the Indian Grand Prix is a disappointment for fans and organizers alike. However, it is important to address the operational challenges to ensure a successful and memorable event in the future. MotoGP looks forward to returning to India and racing in front of its passionate fans as soon as possible.

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has offered a 200-acre land parcel for free to Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati. The land is located in Sector 22F along the 165km Yamuna Expressway and is suitable for Ducati's plans to develop a race track and training center for motorbikes.YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh said that the land parcel was earmarked for Ducati because it met the company's requirements. He added that Ducati's managing director Bipul Chandra and director Sunil Kumar Sharma met with him on Tuesday morning to discuss the project."We have decided to provide Ducati 200 acres of land for free under a public-private-partnership model so that they can invest and develop this racing track and training center," Singh said. "Under Uttar Pradesh's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, we can give 75% subsidy on land to a foreign company and take equity of 25%. Under this policy, we can allot the land for free because the company that wants to invest can come to develop mega projects that help in boosting growth and job creation."YEIDA officials said that they have adequate litigation-free land in Sector 22F, which was acquired from farmers long back. Ducati is interested in building the facility in this area because of its world-class infrastructure, including expressways, Metro connectivity, and the upcoming Noida International Airport."The Ducati officials also discussed the upcoming MotoGP race event scheduled in March next year," Singh said. "We also discussed the issues which were faced by Ducati and other motorbike companies during the MotoGP race held in September 2023. The key issues are related to track, taxes, visas, fees to use track, and others. Ducati officials informed that participating in bike events in the region is a costly affair at present due to high transportation cost and participation fees. As Ducati has experience in developing tracks and holding events in other countries, we offered them land here, which is almost free of cost."The Ducati officials told YEIDA that they would discuss the project with senior company officials and respond. YEIDA officials said that bike races are frequently organized at the Buddh circuit, but high costs have prompted them to look for a facility dedicated to motorcycle racing."Buddh track is built for car racing, and the motorbike companies or racing agencies have to modify the circuit for motorbike events every time," Singh said. "The agencies have spent huge amounts to change the design of the track and in preparing additional facilities.""We are helping the international players to invest and help in fueling growth in this region because the (UP) chief minister Yogi Adityanath wants to create opportunities for youth through such mega projects," Singh added.

MotoGP has officially announced the postponement of the 2024 Indian Grand Prix, originally scheduled for September. The race will now return to the Buddh International Circuit in March 2025.The decision was made in consultation with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, which remains committed to MotoGP's long-term presence in India. The state government cited operational considerations and the need for optimal weather conditions for both spectators and riders.The inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2023 was marred by extreme heat and humidity, leading to a shortened race and health concerns for riders and marshals. The move to March 2025 is expected to provide more favorable weather conditions.The Indian GP will likely serve as the season opener for the 2025 season, replacing the postponed Kazakhstan GP. The inaugural Kazakhstan GP will now take place in September 2024 as the first race on the Asian leg of the MotoGP calendar.The Indian GP has faced financial challenges in recent months, with promoters Fairstreet Sports facing delays in fulfilling obligations related to the 2023 race. The Uttar Pradesh government has stepped in to support the event through its investment wing, Invest UP.Despite the postponement, MotoGP remains committed to India as a key market. The sport has a seven-year contract with Fairstreet Sports for the Indian race. However, attendance at the 2023 event was below expectations, with only 58,000 spectators attending the main race.The postponement of the 2024 Indian Grand Prix is a setback for MotoGP's plans in India, but the sport remains optimistic about the long-term potential of the market. The move to March 2025 is expected to address the operational and weather-related challenges that plagued the 2023 event.

The inaugural Indian round of the MotoGP championship, held in September 2023, faced uncertainty due to reports of unpaid dues to rights holders Dorna. However, after a meeting involving all stakeholders, it has been decided to postpone the second edition to March 2025.The decision was made due to concerns over the weather conditions in September, which were deemed unsuitable for the race. The inaugural event witnessed high temperatures and humidity, making it challenging for riders and marshals.Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava emphasized that the postponement was not related to unpaid dues. He stated that all payments were being made and any outstanding balance would be cleared by the following month.The organizers considered holding the race in November, but this would have resulted in four consecutive races, which would have been demanding for teams and riders. Instead, they opted for March, which is expected to offer more favorable weather conditions.The 2023 MotoGP round in India attracted over 50,000 fans, filling half of the Buddh International Circuit. The organizers anticipate a larger turnout in March due to the improved weather.The current MotoGP season commenced in Doha on March 10, and the India round could potentially be slotted in the following week. Dorna and local promoters have signed a seven-year agreement to host the race in India.The Uttar Pradesh government, which was a sponsor in 2023, has now become a co-promoter, indicating a long-term commitment to the event. The 2023 MotoGP round in India, won by Marco Bezzecchi, was the most significant motorsports event held in the country since the last Formula 1 race in 2013.

The MotoGP Indian Grand Prix, scheduled for September 20-22, has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks. However, Fairstreet Sports, the race promoters, have confirmed that the event will proceed as planned.Initial concerns arose due to delays in fulfilling financial obligations from last year's race. However, the Uttar Pradesh government intervened, with its investment wing, Invest UP, becoming a partner in February-March. The hosting rights fee will now be shared by Fairstreet Sports and Invest UP."The race is on," said Fairstreet Sports COO Pushkar Nath Srivastava. "We are grateful to the Uttar Pradesh government for their support."The organizers acknowledge that the fulfillment of contractual obligations has taken time due to formalities, paperwork, and the ongoing elections. However, they are confident that all issues will be resolved shortly after the elections, with a tripartite pact in place between Dorna, Fairstreet, and Invest UP.Ticket sales for the event will commence on June 14, with both single-day tickets and season passes available. The second edition of the Grand Prix will also feature a range of fan engagement activities.Fairstreet and Dorna have a seven-year contract to hold the race at the Buddh International Circuit, with six races remaining. India's track record in hosting international motorsport events has been mixed, with Formula 1 and Formula E both having short-lived stays.Despite these concerns, the organizers are optimistic about the future of MotoGP in India. The 2024 MotoGP calendar initially included a record-breaking 22 races, but was reduced to 20 after the cancellation of the Argentina race and the postponement of the Kazakhstan GP.

Marc Marquez's impressive performance at the Spanish MotoGP has reignited hopes of a seventh world title, but the 31-year-old remains cautious. After a challenging period marked by injuries and vision issues, Marquez's second-place finish behind Francesco Bagnaia in Jerez was a significant step forward.Marquez's pole position and relentless pursuit of Bagnaia showcased his determination to return to the top. It was his best result since finishing runner-up in the Australian MotoGP in October 2022. "I won in terms of my plan," said Marquez. "I am getting better and better, and I must maintain my consistency."Despite being just 32 points behind series leader Jorge Martin, Marquez downplays his title chances. "It is way too early," he said. "I know I will have plenty of trouble on several tracks."Marquez's surprise at being so close to Martin highlights the competitiveness of the season. "We are racing to our limits," he said. "The title race will be very close."For Bagnaia, the Jerez race was equally important. His victory ended a winless streak since the season opener in Qatar. The 25-year-old is now 17 points behind Martin and aims to become the first Italian to win three world titles on an Italian bike since Giacomo Agostini in 1966."Our goal is always to win," said Bagnaia. "We closed the gap, and every race counts."Bagnaia's superstitious pre-race routine, which includes touching his bike, kissing his glove, and tapping the tank, helps him stay calm. He believes this season resembles his championship-winning year in 2022. "We have collected a lot of data that should help us overcome the current problems," he said.As the MotoGP season continues, Marquez and Bagnaia will face stiff competition from Martin and other top riders. The battle for the world title promises to be intense and unpredictable.