Marco Bezzecchi
Coming into the Dutch Grand Prix, MotoGP officials made a rule change amid recent controversy surrounding rider safety.
MotoGP officials banned holeshot devices after recent issues with safety, which became evident during the incredibly dangerous starts at the Catalan Grand Prix.
This decision wasn’t the only one officials made to try to improve rider safety, as MotoGP also tested an F1-style starting grid to create more gaps between riders, thus avoiding dangerous starts.
What are your thoughts on MotoGP’s latest safety rule change?
In addition to the ride-height device restrictions, grid rows will be spaced out by an extra three metres
But with the recent start issues seen even after the decision was announced, there is a concern that it won’t make much of a difference.
And after what Francesco Bagnaia saw during the Dutch Sprint yesterday, he is concerned their decision will have no impact.
READ MORE: Helmut Marko identifies the problem that’s stopping MotoGP being as big as F1
Francesco Bagnaia suggests holeshot device ban won’t improve rider safety
Speaking after the Dutch Sprint and qualifying yesterday, Francesco Bagnaia was asked by GP One whether the start in Assen suggested the new rule change has improved the safety within the starting procedures.
Bagnaia said that the removal of the holeshot device does slow down the starts, but it also creates more of a window for riders to try and push for a strong start, thus leaving them open to crashes.
“In my opinion, it’s not safer this way. It’s true, you start slower in terms of time, but there’s more margin to do well, and in fact, everyone tries to get a better start.
“Today I saw Quartararo approaching the first braking point and I thought, ‘If he makes one little mistake, he’ll crash two or three more times.’ So no, for me it’s not safer this way.”
Clearly, Bagnaia is a little bit concerned about the long-term safety implications of the removal of holeshot devices, as it isn’t achieving its goal.
READ MORE: Aprilia may have just given Francesco Bagnaia an ‘advantage’ to beat Marc Marquez, says Neil Hodgson
Raul Fernandez wins the Assen Sprint Race 🏆 But who was your rider of the race?
Let us know why in the comments!
MotoGP officials must continue to monitor rider safety issues
The recent safety concerns exposed by starts this season have definitely been a cause for concern, as riders are being put in extreme jeopardy.
Even with all the criticism aimed at Liberty Media for trying to F1-ise MotoGP, there is an argument to be made that it could help improve rider safety greatly.
But perhaps it might be time for MotoGP riders to finally unionise so they can present a stronger, more united front against officials when it comes to big decisions being made.
Hopefully, the safety of riders is eventually addressed with a set of decisions that can have a long-term positive impact on the sport.
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