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Yamaha pulls out of Qatar MotoGP over ‘situation in the Middle East’

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In short

The decision to skip the Lusail International Circuit comes after company officials evaluated existing travel curbs following the recent round in Malaysia. MotoGP governing officials expressed disappointment, stressing that extensive safety assurances were provided to all participants ahead of the November 6-8 event. Despite the absence of the two factory riders, the Grand Prix will proceed with the rest of the grid. Ducati rider Marc Marquez enters the weekend with an opportunity to secure the world championship.

Key points

  • The remainder of the MotoGP grid has committed to competing in the Qatar Grand Prix.: The remainder of the MotoGP grid has committed to competing in the Qatar Grand Prix.
  • Safety advisers and local organizers concluded there were no grounds to cancel or alter t…: Safety advisers and local organizers concluded there were no grounds to cancel or alter the Doha event.
  • Marc Marquez has the opportunity to clinch the premier class world title at the upcoming…: Marc Marquez has the opportunity to clinch the premier class world title at the upcoming race.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

MotoGP says Yamaha’s non-participation at the November 6-8 event in Lusail ‘carries sporting implications’.

Yamaha has withdrawn its MotoGP team from next weekend’s race in Qatar, citing “the situation in the Middle East”.

The Japanese manufacturer announced its decision shortly after the Malaysian MotoGP race on Sunday.

“Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” Yamaha said in its statement.

Among the racers on the MotoGP grid riding Yamaha bikes is France’s Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion. Alex Rins of Spain is the other racer on the Yamaha team.

The sport’s governing body, the MotoGP Group, said it was “disappointed” by the decision and said that “Yamaha’s non-participation also carries sporting implications”.

“While we recognise the team is subject to a broader corporate policy restricting travel to the Middle East, we do not believe this decision reflects the extensive assurances provided to all championship stakeholders,” it said.

MotoGP said talks with the organisers in Qatar, as well as safety advisers, had not flagged any reasons to change plans for the event, which will run…

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