MotoGP: Valencia Grand Prix cancelled following devastating floods

MotoGP organiser Dorna has confirmed that the planned 2024 season finale in Valencia has been cancelled following the devastating floods which hit the region earlier this week.  

More than 200 people have been killed and many more remain missing after more than a year’s worth of rainfall fell in just eight hours on Wednesday.

The final round was set to take place at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo on the weekend of November 15-17, with the first official test for the 2025 season taking place on November 19.

Riders including Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia made it clear during the opening day of the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend that going to Valencia should not be an option. Bagnaia went as far as to say that he would boycott the event should it still go ahead.

“I hope they take into consideration the fact that on an ethical level, with what is happening, it is not the right thing to do,” Bagnaia said during his Italian media debrief on Friday. “Even at the cost of losing the ultimate goal for me, which is the title, I’m not willing to race in Valencia.”

Dorna has now confirmed that the Valencia round has been called off, with a new location and schedule to be revealed in the next few days. Fellow Spanish circuits Jerez and Barcelona have been rumoured to be options, whilst Portimao and Qatar are also being considered.

A likely outcome is that the new season finale will take place a week later than planned, on November 22-24. The final round of the 2024 Formula 1 season takes places in Qatar on November 29 – December 1, so MotoGP will be keen to avoid a clash with its four-wheeled counterparts.

“MotoGP stands with the Community of Valencia following the devastating floods that have affected the area,” today’s statement said. Our hearts are with all those who have been lost and those who have lost so much.

“We have been in constant contact with the local authorities and the circuit to best assess how we can help and how we should proceed. We have a responsibility to every region where we race that goes far beyond the sport and the events.

“After carefully weighing up the potential positive impact of MotoGP racing in Valencia on delayed dates versus ensuring no single resource is diverted from the recovery efforts by the presence of MotoGP, the championship and local authorities have been obliged to cancel the 2024 Valencia GP.

“In lieu of racing in Valencia, MotoGP will instead race for Valencia. The championship will put our collective efforts behind backing the relief funds already in place to ensure our positive impact can connect with the area in the way it best serves the people and communities we have been part of for so long.

“Our efforts will begin during the Malaysian GP and continue at the final round of 2024, with a new venue and dates to be announced as soon as confirmed.

“Fans around the world, our athletes, and paddock deserve a sporting finale to the 2024 season, and one that can make a key contribution to supporting the communities we race in.”