Marco Bezzecchi
In the aftermath of Jorge Martin’s controversial crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Massimo Rivola and Aprilia have been slammed for their handling of the situation.
Rivola slammed Martin for his crash in Hungary, showing a level of frustration we hadn’t seen from the Aprilia boss all season.
While fans were furious with Martin for his crash, there has been more of an uproar about the way Massimo Rivola has handled the situation.
Both Aprilias are OUT in a five-rider crash at the start! 😲 Was Jorge Martin’s double long-lap penalty fair?
Martin, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, Aldeguer and Fernandez are all out
In the aftermath of the situation, Rivola barred both Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi from speaking to the press.
And it is this move from Rivola that has caused quite an uproar among fans and members of the press, as it is considered widely disrespectful.
READ MORE: Forget crashing, MotoGP’s latest rule change could cost Jorge Martin the world title
Oscar Haro says Massimo Rivola and Aprilia disrespected journalists
Speaking with Nico Abad, Oscar Haro slammed Massimo Rivola for the way he handled the situation with Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
By barring both riders from speaking to the press after the situation, Rivola and Aprilia disrespected the journalists who do so much to cover the sport.
“I think if someone has made a mistake, there’s a part of MotoGP that’s extremely important, and that’s journalism. I think Rivola showed a huge lack of respect when he suddenly said that his riders aren’t going to talk.
“The journalists have to be taken care of. There are many journalists who practically pay for their own expenses. That’s disrespectful, after everything that has happened, for a team manager to come along and say my riders aren’t going to speak today.
“Why the hell wouldn’t your riders speak? You guys go to the circuits to listen to the riders… Statements are necessary because I think it’s disrespectful to journalists and to journalism itself.”
READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia slams ‘disaster’ Hungarian Grand Prix track after Jorge Martin pile-up
Jorge Martin apologises for causing the crash at the start of the Hungarian GP. How would you feel if you were Marco Bezzecchi?
Massimo Rivola disrespected fans by not letting riders speak to the press
Haro slammed Rivola further by saying that this decision wasn’t just disrespectful to the reporters but also to the fans, as they have a right to hear from the riders, especially after a tense situation.
“I understand that you can speak too, but you can’t speak for a rider. If Massimo Rivola wants to speak? Fine. But for Jorge Martin or Bezzecchi not to speak shows a huge lack of respect, not just to journalists, but to fans as well.
“A whole fanbase that wants to know what happened, but not through a well-rehearsed and approved press release, or Instagram post. Things have to be said in the heat of the moment… I thought it was the ugliest thing for Aprilia to do.”
Some have accused Rivola of having a vendetta against Martin, but by barring him from speaking to the press, the Aprilia boss has brought unwanted attention to the situation.
Perhaps Rivola will realise he was wrong about Martin, and the situation can be addressed by the time the Czech Republic Grand Prix comes around.
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