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An unexpected change in the 2021 MotoGP Grid was announced on June 3rd. It was revealed that Jack Miller had signed a contract with Ducati Racing on May 27th. He’ll appear with the Ducati factory team in the upcoming season, with contract details implicating an extension clause of twelve months until 2022. Depending on the skillsets displayed by Jack Miller over his first nineteen races could allow him permanent placement with Ducati Racing.

Ducati is an Italian motorcycle racing outfit, who have relied on Australian talent for a prolonged period. MotoGP Analysts had hoped they’d return to their racing roots & inquire an athlete with Italian heritage. The confirmation of Jack Miller being acquired at 25-years-old shows that Ducati is continuing to support Australian racers. Previous Australian’s that competed & gained MotoGP championships for Ducati included Casey Stoner and Troy Bayliss. They respectively won their titles in 2003 & 2007.

MotoGP History

It’s not surprising that talent scouts with Ducati Racing would select Jack Miller. He displayed notable progression throughout the 2019 MotoGP Season, with there still being some that believe Miller isn’t the correct choice of Ducati. Jack is considered an unpredictable driver & didn’t inquire about the Moto3 or Moto2 Championships. He’d inevitably lose the 2014 Moto3 Champion to Alex Marquez by two points.

Under this minimal difference, Jack Miller convinced Honda Factory Team Racing to contract him for three years. He immediately jumped from Moto3 to MotoGP, skipping an entire series. It’d take four seasons for Miller to show notable signs of improvement. This assessment indicates that his progression could de-evolve under new pressure, negatively benefiting Ducati Racing in the process.

The Reputation

Another element that could impose challenges for Ducati Racing is the reputation that Jack Miller holds on the MotoGP Paddock. He’s known for keeping a negative demeanour on the track & paddock, often enacting bullish behaviour when racing with Pramac Ducati Racing. Consistency with Ducati’s secondary team in 2019 is ultimately the reason why Miller levelled up to the factory outfit. We’ll provide our readers updates with how Jack performs over the 2021-22 MotoGP Seasons.

Those that watched motorcycling circuits in the 1970s new the name Marty Smith, he’d become one of the 1st motocross legends in North America. Those fans were disappointed to hear that both Marty & Nancy Smith had lost their lives earlier this week in a traffic dune buggy accident. The vehicle rolled multiple times, with those on-site believing head trauma would’ve prompted their deaths. This is one of the sadder deaths in motocross, with Marty Smith being one of the key individuals that made this motorsport accessible. He’d notably acquire three AHA National Championships during the 1970s.

The History of Marty

Marty Smith was one of the youngest motocross athletes in history, with the young teenager starting his career at fourteen in SoCal’s Carlsbad Raceway. He’d quickly become successful and acquire multiple podium victories, prompting the young start to become a factory driver with Honda Racing in 1975. Marty would be seventeen at the time, competing on the Honda RC125 and acquiring the 1st ever championship within the “AMA 125cc Motocross National Circuit”. He’d dominate this four-round circuit series and receive podium placement two times while earning 2nd in the additional two rounds. Throughout this period, Marty Smith would still obtain his high school degree and meet Nancy for the 1st time.

After acquiring championship victory in 1974, this young rider would become eighteen and defend his 125cc title throughout 1975. He’d gain victory in six of the several races while acquiring 3rd in the seventh because of technical errors in the pits. Marty Smith would also be known as the 1st American to defeat European Racers. Beating these European came at the “FIM 125cc United States Grand Prix”, which he’d inevitably accomplish twice back-to-back.

Marty Smith continued his domination over motocross, becoming the 1st teenage superstar in motorcycling history. He’d acquire hundreds of Grand Prix Podiums throughout the 190s, ultimately retiring in 1980 after a decade of riding. It followed after he had children and no longer wanted to risk his life. Our condolences to the Smith family for their loss, Marty will forever be remembered as the 1st famous motocross racer, who ultimately made this sport popular in North America.

Those living in the United States and the United Kingdom have often shown their selfish behaviour throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals have broken social distancing protocols for their benefit, attending outdoor locations or holding illegal parties, with thousand often present. Local UK news outlets highlighted new evidence of civilians cutting social distancing measures. It was revealed that two motorcyclists were issued fines under the Coronavirus Act, which follows after these Rochdale Riders were found travelling for non-essential reasons.

These individuals took their Yamaha XSR700 & Yamaha MT07 from Rochdale, which is located in the Greater Manchester Region, throughout the coastal side roads until reaching Whitby. Those familiar with this drive know that it’s more than 100+ miles, breaking the requirement of not travelling outside two miles of your home. When Whitby Law Enforcement located these two unnamed individuals, it was noted that their reasoning for the commute was to purchase fish & chips from the Eastern Coastal Town. This is nowhere near an essential requirement for living, prompting the immediate fine. It should be noted that Whitby Law Enforcement was the 1st to make this information public, with local news outlets making it viral within hours.

Whitby Law Enforcement provided insight into this manner with their social media posting. It was mentioned that the White Neighborhood Policing Team were responsible for this arrest. They’d been patrolling the A169 Jurisdiction before locating the two motorcyclists, who were flagged and researched via the UK Database. This revealed these individuals were from Rochdale and not Whitby. Both were sent home with an official policing guide, where they’d then be issued fines for breaching the national guidelines. A Corporal with Whitby PD noted that they were in the right place at the right time.

Total Fines

Civilians in the United Kingdom have continuously broken social distancing measures, forcing law enforcement nationwide to exceptional ten thousand individuals. This isn’t the maximum number of civilians violating the lockdown restrictions, with 200+ thousand incidents having been reported to law enforcement. When accounting for the associated cost of these fines, it’s not enough to concern those willing to break the lockdown restrictions. Those caught are fined a maximum of £60.00.

Corporations worldwide have implemented specialized programs or charities amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic, assisting various groups in their survival during this unprecedented period. The most recent corporation to announce a program that’ll help with limiting the spread is Ducati. They confirmed the Ducati Care Program had been imposed onto global dealerships, enforcing a series of protocols that must be met before reopening. This’ll drastically affect dealerships in the United Kingdom and Ireland, who’ve eagerly awaited opening since being closed in early March.

Current Pandemic Guidelines enforce online purchases only, with dealerships not slated to allow customers back into showrooms until social distancing measures are listed. The updated guidelines will be applied during this period, requiring that salesman and customers keep safe distances from each other. Masks, Disinfectants, Hand Sanitizers will also be required. It’ll help ensure that the coronavirus doesn’t spread throughout Ducati’s dealerships.

Memos released by Ducati Corporate to global dealerships iterated that additional precautions will be enforced, with those still being determined. Details on the upcoming regulations weren’t confirmed by Ducati Corporate, with inside sources from dealerships indicating that showrooms will be revised and selling interests could move towards digital platforms. Ducati Corporate provided these details to global dealerships after it was announced that the Borgo Panigale Manufacturing Plant had resumed production. Increased workforces are added daily, enabling for new 2020 Motorcycle Models to be released gradually.

Unexpected Views from Ducati

The Global Sales Vice President of Ducati provided insight to reporters on the updated guidelines. Francesco noted that globally this virus won’t disappear from our lives for two years and that the fallout will be considerably longer. The VP believes that everyone has to learn to live with the coronavirus pandemic, enforcing protection measures to limit the spread of this virus. Global civilians have often proven themselves incapable of staying indoors or practising social distancing, leading most in the motorcycle industry to think Francesco is incorrect.

Final remarks from the Vice President of Global Sales indicates that their guidelines and programs will ensure the safety of consumers when attending dealerships. However, this is something that Francesco can genuinely promise.

The CEO for Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, has demanded that competitors in the MotoGP Circuit get paid considerably less than what their contracts are owed. This follows after the novel coronavirus has infected more than two million worldwide. Acting as the 1st global pandemic in 100+ years, sporting associations have worked with their respective player unions to determine pay cuts that benefit both parties. These delegations are being held to guarantee the survival of their sport. Carmela Ezpeleta wants similar measures inducted into the MotoGP, ensuring that reserve funds will be significant enough to sustain the game throughout this pandemic.

It should be noted that nine races within the 2020 MotoGP Season have been either postponed or cancelled amidst the coronavirus pandemic. These cancellations have placed each of the ten teams into financial stress, with the possibility of some organizations going bankrupts without the assistance of drivers taking pay cuts. It’d save these respective teams millions of dollars for 2020. These funds are required after advertising contracts were terminated until the pandemic is resolved.

Dorna Sports implemented a specialized aid package for MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 Outfits. This aid package is worth €9.75 Million and will provide a small safety net until the summer. Afterwards, running these various outfits will require funds from investors and advertisers. Drivers like Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins, Tito Rabat, and Marc Marquez have been questioned on this situation. Most drivers have agreed that taking a pay cut throughout the pandemic is best for MotoGP’s survival. It means teams like Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki will move forward into the 2021-22 Season.

Lack of Work, Lack of Money.

An official statement was provided by Carmelo Ezpeleta when speaking with Onda Cero, a Spanish Radio Station. He mentioned that everyone would negotiate towards a lower price. This will include drivers that have already renewed their contracts and others that haven’t. Carmelo noted that all drivers with MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 understand that payment is provided exclusively when the sport is being played. Since motorcycle circuits worldwide are closed, these drivers aren’t technically working.

Cost-Saving Measures throughout MotoGP are being implemented, ensuring that future championships can be held. Operational teams in the MotoGP are facing significant financial impacts throughout the pandemic, with Grand Prix’s being postponed for an indefinite period. It’s prompted for numerous advertisers to pull their contracts with these MotoGP teams. One of the ways that costs will be saved was announced by International Motorcycling Federation, with that being a specific condition that allows organisations to operate 2020 Spec Motorcycles throughout the 2021 Season.

This is a fair condition after eight Grand Prix’s in the MotoGP Season were postponed or cancelled. Additional races are being terminated with world governments implementing extended lockdowns or social distancing measures. This includes Germany, which saw the Sachsenring Grand Prix cancelled for June 21st. It should be mentioned that Dorna Sports, the MotoGP Promoters confirmed that €9.075 Million would be provided to MotoGP Teams throughout the next three months. This financial aid also assists the Moto32, Moto3 and KTM Championships.

The MotoGP Manufacturers Association has been continuously discussing what’s next with the International Motorcycling Federation. They’ve been determining which options are most viable for cost-saving, with it being collectively determined that freezing the production of new models for 2021 be implemented. It guarantees that MotoGP teams can shut down their factories and furlough employees where possible.

Motorcycles manufactured for the 2020 season being maintained through 2021 is most consistent with fair cost-saving measures. It’s a concept that’s been approved and praised by the Grand Prix Commission. Seasonal agreements for 2021 could also be postponed under the condition that COVID-19 is still active. Medical experts firmly expect that a 2nd and 3rd wave will hit before scientists create a vaccine.

The Future

The Grand Prix Commission and International Motorcycling Federation mentioned that development for new motorcycles with Moto2 or Moto3 is also frozen. That means the production of new vehicles for everyone in the MotoGP Manufacturers Association won’t begin until after the 2021 Season is completed. That’ll provide them with plenty of time to create new concepts and ideas. We’ll provide our readers with any changes to the newly enacted conditions.

Travelling on your motorcycle has become increasingly difficult throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who aren’t considered essential workers can ride exclusively when grabbing groceries or acquiring medicines. This means that minimal exposure has been felt by the motorcyclist community throughout Europe, with deals also feeling adverse effects from this pandemic.

They’ve had an influx of staff members entering self-isolation protocols, and retail locations have shut down. Hoping to keep their businesses moving forward, a large percentage of these dealerships have begun “On-Site Repairs”. Mechanics are driving to motorcyclists’ homes and repairing their vehicles for an unknown cost. These operational responses stop a more significant problem that’s coming, with the Euro5 Regulations slated to be implemented by January 2021.

These regulations will force dealerships to deconstruct uncompliant motorcycles and terminate their components in an eco-friendly manner. This’ll ensure that scrapyards will receive smaller percentages of broken-down vehicles, which often emit poisonous fumes into our atmosphere or destructive liquids into our ground. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing these dealerships to have an influx of motorcycles that’ll be considered outdated in nine months.

Numerous dealerships have now requested the European Union to delay the Euro5 Regulations, ensuring that these dealers can sell off their stock of motorcycles and not face a significant loss of profit. Numerous dealerships will shut down if these delays aren’t implemented.

The Quick Fix

Governing entities within the European Union have the power to stop these issues. A potential solution includes dealerships remodelling many Euro4 Motorcycles into the Euro5 Standard for January 2021. There’ll be challenges with these solutions, as airbox and exhaust changes with some motorcycle models require extensive remapping of other components. However, it’d enable older vehicles to sustain longer lifespans.

These governing entities would be required to impose a six-month delay on the Euro5 Regulations for this solution, as dealerships and mechanics would have to prepare themselves for the future remodels. Mechanics in the motorcyclist community haven’t experienced a challenge of this nature throughout any generation. It’ll historically be remembered by the community for decades to come. We’ll provide our readers additional coverage on this story, pending the confirmation that the European Union approved a delay on Euro5 Regulations.