Barcelona to host MotoGP season finale after Valencia floods

Barcelona’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the final race of the MotoGP season from November 15-17, after Valencia was ruled out due to recent devastating floods, organizers Dorna confirmed on Tuesday.

“MotoGP can now confirm the 2024 curtain closer will be held in Barcelona,” Dorna announced, noting the return to Catalunya in solidarity with Valencia’s affected communities.

The season finale will be a decisive showdown for the MotoGP title, with Spain’s Jorge Martin leading Italian two-time defending champion Francesco Bagnaia by 24 points. Martin, riding for Prima Pramac Racing, has the chance to secure his first world title on home soil, in front of a passionate Spanish crowd.

The decision to change the venue came after riders expressed a preference to race outside Valencia out of respect for flood victims. This season, the Catalunya circuit previously hosted a May race where Bagnaia took victory ahead of Martin, adding extra intrigue to their season-ending clash in Barcelona.

(Source: AFP)