The damage that has affected Valencia in recent hours has also devastated some of the facilities at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste, where the final round of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship is scheduled to take place in two weeks, key to its outcome. Those responsible for the route have indicated in a statement that the episode has severely affected the access and parking infrastructure, but not the track. The strong currents of water and mud in the Sechera and Poyo ravines, which washed away other elements of street furniture, have been the main cause of the damage recorded.
As a result of the waterspout, almost a hundred people who were working at the facilities have been forced to spend the night in Cheste, taking refuge in the gym and offices, as far as possible from the water currents. “The most important thing is that all the people who were at the Circuit are fine, everyone was able to spend the night safely in the facilities,” said Nicolás Collado, its general director. This Wednesday, the venue began the damage assessment process to determine how the passage of the storm will affect the possible dispute over guarantees for the scheduled events. The organization assumes, behind the scenes, that there will be alterations to a greater or lesser extent.
At first glance, a huge sinkhole has made the main access to the route unusable and complicated the entry and exit of merchandise. Next week, Formula E is scheduled to carry out its preseason tests, which are now pending the possibility of opening alternative access routes to the venue and the assessment of damage to the garages and part of the cargo that was already protected. in the circuit. The four development workers present on the route have only been able to enter and exit it on foot, without the possibility of using their vehicles.
The town of Cheste, the closest to the circuit, was cut off this Wednesday at noon through its main roads, with access only possible through secondary roads, according to the EFE agency. The mayor of the town, José Morell, pointed out that communications are very complicated given the problems in the electricity supply and the drop in internet and telephone services.
MotoGP, through its social networks, has published a message of support for the victims of the tragedy, where it has also explained that they are in contact with the competent authorities to assist in the most urgent tasks in the area. Dorna, the Spanish promoter that exploits the commercial rights to the competition, has not yet issued any official statement on the matter.
The competition’s teams association (IRTA), in an internal letter, has informed the teams and factories participating in the championship about the intention of the promoter and local authorities for the last event of the 2024 World Cup to be held in the scheduled dates, between November 15 and 17. “It would be insensitive and irresponsible to talk about the event at this time. The focus must continue to be on helping those affected,” IRTA stresses, however, in its letter.
Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia, separated by 17 points with two grand prizes remaining until the conclusion of the event, compete this weekend in the penultimate round of the championship, a Malaysian GP where the Spaniard has a mathematical chance of becoming champion. To do this, he will need to lead the Italian by 38 points at the end of Sunday’s race in Sepang. Although it remains in the background given the dimension of the tragedy in Valencia, the possible cancellation of the grand prix adds an external factor out of control to the sporting battle on the track.
