MotoGP: Valentino Rossi will not compete in this weekend's virtual race

The 10-rider line-up for this weekend’s virtual MotoGP race has been revealed and it does not include Valentino Rossi.

The nine-time world champion had previously been confirmed as an entrant, however the latest press release from Dorna Sports has revealed that he’ll no longer take part in the unique event. The full line-up for the virtual race is:

• Repsol Honda – Alex and Marc Marquez
• Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Maverick Viñales
• Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aleix Espargaro
• Team Suzuki Ecstar – Alex Rins and Joan Mir
• Petronas Yamaha SRT – Fabio Quartararo
• Red Bull KTM Tech 3 -Iker Lecuona and Miguel Oliveira
• Pramac Racing – Francesco Bagnaia

The riders will race in a private ‘race direction’ lobby on the official MotoGP video game which has been set up to invite each rider to the event – and to send them the bike settings. 

As reported yesterday, the race itself will take place on the famous Mugello circuit in Italy. Riders will compete in a five-minute qualifying time attack to determine grid position, with the race itself being a six-lap shootout. 

The race will be streamed across several social media platforms, through the official MotoGP and MotoGP eSport pages. It’ll also be shown across several TV platforms throughout the world, including BT Sport in the UK. The official MotoGP website will also be streaming the video game action. 

The race takes place this Sunday (March 29) at 15:00 (GMT +2). 

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MotoGP: Riders to compete in virtual race this weekend

First published: 25 March 2019 by Josh Close

With the 2020 MotoGP season currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dorna have revealed that they’ll be hosting a virtual race this weekend. 

Some of the biggest names on the grid, including Marc Marquez, Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo, will compete against each other on the official MotoGP video game. Valentino Rossi is another rider expected to be taking part, with all riders invited to come and join in. 

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The virtual race will take place at Mugello this Sunday (March 29). The grid will be decided by a five-minute qualifying time attack. The race itself will be a six-lap shootout around the famous Italian circuit. 

The entire event will be broadcast at 15:00 (GMT +2) through the official MotoGP website, esport.motogp.com and selected TV broadcasters. Fans can also tune in via social media platforms including YouTube (via the MotoGP and MotoGP eSport channels), MotoGP eSport Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (via both the MotoGP and MotoGPeSport pages). Fans can keep up to date with the virtual race on Twitter by following the hashtag of #StayAtHomeGP. 

The decision to run a virtual MotoGP race follows the introduction of the Formula One Esports Virtual Grand Prix series by the FIA. They’ll be hosting virtual Grand Prixs on the same weekends that the actual race meetings were due to take place.