BEZZECCHI SAYS TRUST IN ORGANISERS DROVE HIS QATAR RACE DECISION

Marco Bezzecchi has explained why he was among the three riders who did not sign a letter opposing MotoGP’s decision to race in Qatar, saying his position was based on trust in the organisers rather than simply his championship prospects.

The Qatar Grand Prix went ahead after safety concerns linked to the Iran war prompted 19 of the 22 riders to write to MotoGP. They said they would not race unless the championship took personal responsibility if anything went wrong. MotoGP held its position and warned that riders and teams who boycotted could face sanctions. Yamaha, meanwhile, withdrew under its company travel policy for the Middle East.

Bezzecchi, Ai Ogura and Johann Zarco were the riders who did not sign. Bezzecchi acknowledged that competing in Qatar suited him as he pursued the title, but rejected the suggestion that this was his sole motivation.

“From the outside it might seem like I only did it for the title fight,” he told reporters on Friday. “It’s true that, in the end, it suited me in that sense, but this issue had been raised a long time ago.”

He said he had confidence in those responsible for the event. “If the organisers thought coming here was the right decision, I don’t think they’re crazy enough to send us somewhere without being sure. So I’ve always trusted them, and then, obviously, it became more of a necessity. But, in the end, I’m happy.”

The debate unfolded against a tense regional backdrop. On Friday evening in Doha, heightened military activity in Qatar and the wider region renewed concern about the conflict between the United States and Iran. Reports said US strikes had taken place in Iran overnight, though there had been no broader escalation at that point. The US also urged its citizens in the Gulf to “exercise heightened vigilance”. Qatari mediators reported that talks between Iran and the US aimed at ending the war had broken down again on Friday.

Despite the security concerns and the riders’ appeal, the race weekend proceeded. Bezzecchi said he had trusted the organisers’ judgement throughout the discussion, while recognising that the event ultimately aligned with his interests in the title fight.