Marco Bezzecchi
Following the events that unfolded at the Catalan Grand Prix, several riders have called for the grid to organise a union. This has raised a debate on which rider should lead the grid’s efforts in meetings with MotoGP’s safety commission.
Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco were both subjected to what can only be described as horror crashes during the Catalan Grand Prix last weekend, with both expected to miss the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at the very least.
Is this a step in the wrong direction from Liberty?
The Frenchman’s incident occurred on the first restart following Marquez’s crash on the straight between turns nine and ten. After racing was neutralised for the second time, the grid recongregated for a third time.
During his comments to the press from his hospital bed, Zarco admitted that he should not have taken part in the restart due to an injury he sustained from debris in Marquez’s crash.
Unfortunately, he felt like he was in a position where he had to get back on his bike no matter what, which has added another layer to the calls for riders to form a union in the sport.
Pedro Acosta doesn’t think Francesco Bagnaia would be a good riders’ union president
Prior to the start of the race weekend in Barcelona, Francesco Bagnaia slammed his colleagues on the grid for failing to take the grid’s meetings with MotoGP’s safety commission seriously.
He highlighted how he was one of only three riders to attend the meeting at Le Mans.
Amid the recent calls for the grid to set up a Formula 1-like Grand Prix Riders’ Association, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi have suggested that Ducati’s two-time world champion would make a good leader for the union, due to his commitment to the meetings.
What else needs to happen before MotoGP riders form a union?
However, not everyone on the grid agrees. According to a report by Sport.es, Pedro Acosta replied, “I don’t think so” when asked for his thoughts on Bagnaia being the main representative for the grid if such a union were set up.
In terms of an association, the Murcian rider admitted that he and his rivals need to explore the idea further, adding, “I don’t know how [the Formula 1 Grand Prix Drivers’ Association] works, but we need to look into it.
“We’re the ones putting on the show, and sometimes it’s not enough to be in the spotlight; you also have to look at what’s going on around you. It’s difficult to find a solution when so little time has passed.”
- READ MORE: Fans slam MotoGP’s ‘blatant disregard’ for rider safety after Jorge Martin’s crash at Catalan GP
Fermin Aldeguer identifies Aleix Espargaro as a ‘good option’ to lead a MotoGP riders’ union
Former MotoGP rider turned test rider for the Honda outfit, Aleix Espargaro, has also been identified as a candidate for the role. During his active riding career, Espargaro, like Bagnaia, rarely missed an opportunity to meet with the safety commission on a race weekend.
Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer, who is currently competing despite still carrying a limp from an injury he sustained before pre-season had kicked off, sees his compatriot as a ‘good option’ to represent the grid.
The Murcian native reportedly told the Spanish publication, “He has always said a lot what he thought, he has always been listened to, and it would be a good option, but I understand for his part that he does not want to give that image in the paddock.”
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