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In a swift pivot, MotoGP’s 2024 season finale has been officially relocated to Barcelona following the devastating situation in Valencia.
Initially scheduled at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo from November 15 to 17, the season-ending weekend will now be held at the Circuit de Catalunya on the same dates.
The decision was confirmed by the FIM Motorcycle World Federation on Tuesday after days of intense planning and consultation.
Valencia’s tragic flooding crisis, which has claimed over 200 lives, spurred MotoGP teams and riders to reconsider holding the event there.
Despite the circuit itself remaining undamaged, access routes were severely impacted, and the MotoGP paddock, currently in Malaysia, collectively voiced their concerns.
“It was simply morally indefensible to organise a MotoGP race weekend in such a crisis situation,” a source within the paddock stated, referencing the strain it would place on local resources already stretched thin in Valencia’s recovery.
In search of a solution, MotoGP promoters considered several alternative locations, including Sepang, Qatar, Jerez, Aragon, and Portimao.
Ultimately, Barcelona emerged as the top choice, being conveniently en route for most of the paddock and offering a relatively straightforward logistical shift for personnel and equipment.
The FIM acknowledged Barcelona as the “most efficient choice,” noting that the Circuit de Catalunya could easily accommodate fans who had already planned to attend the season finale in Spain.
Yet, uncertainties linger. The Catalan capital has also faced recent storm damage, and while conditions are far less severe than those in Valencia, forecasts suggest unfavorable weather may persist in the lead-up to race weekend.
The FIM’s announcement, however, made no mention of the weather in Barcelona, focusing instead on its suitability as a venue and practical accessibility for fans and teams.
