2022 is the first year that MotoGP has opened its stands without any restrictions following the arrival of the pandemic, but some events have seen attendances drop significantly, notably the iconic Italian Grand Prix at Mugello .
The Italian event registered worrying numbers during its celebration, which put fans and organizers on alert. That fueled the most recurring question in the paddock: is the golden age of MotoGP over?
The WSBK pilot, Jonathan Rea, spoke on this matter. In an interview with Motorsport-Total.com, the Northern Irishman assured that the situation “is not as dramatic as it seems”, however, he identifies the loss of audience with the withdrawal of Valentino Rossi.
“Valentino was a great workhorse. Even without him, the color yellow dominates the stands. He is Mister MotoGP,” said Rea. “I am a fan of the old generation: the era of Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner , Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez. But we cannot say that the new generation is slower or worse”, valued the Kawasaki rider. .
“The current drivers are really fast. The era of Quartararo, Alex Rins, Joan Mir and Bagnaia will leave their own legacy,” he said, hinting that one of the reasons for the drop in interest could also be the lack of rivalry on the track.
“There were problems and rivalry with Rossi, but also with Marquez, Schwantz, Lorenzo and Casey. Now in MotoGP there seems to be a lot of peace and quiet between rivals. That means there is less drama than in the past.”
In May, the Suzuki Ecstar team announced that it would leave MotoGP at the end of the year. This means that only five manufacturers will compete from the 2023 MotoGP season. Therefore, the number of Japanese prototypes on the grid is reduced to six.
“I don’t think Suzuki’s exit will affect racing. The biggest factor is the end of Valentino Rossi’s race,” insisted Rea.
While in WSBK three riders are at the front, the picture is different in MotoGP. With Enea Bastianini, Fabio Quartararo, Pecco Bagnaia, Aleix Espargaró and Miguel Oliveira, there were five different winners in eleven races.
For that reason, it is not uncommon for the winner of one race not to finish in the top six at the next grand prix. “It’s crazy. I can’t explain it,” Jonathan Rea said.
“I have the feeling that the rider doesn’t make the difference and that the bike is more important. The performance window is very small. In some races Quartararo is ten seconds ahead at the front. One race later he has to fight hard to be able to be sixth”.
“It’s the same with KTM. They win and then, suddenly, they’re at the bottom of the time table. It’s hard to explain. I don’t understand it much either,” admitted the six-time World Superbike Champion, who as a fan, assures who still likes the sister competition.
