MotoGp, Poncharal brusque: “Valentino Rossi had nothing to do with it”

Tech 3 boss and IRTA chief Poncharal: “It has nothing to do with Valentino Rossi, there was a lack of promotion at Mugello, no one knew there was a Gp.”

Herve Poncharal, Tech3 team boss and head of the International Racing Team Association (Irta) in an interview with Motosprint denied that the recent drop in spectator numbers in MotoGp, seen for example at a historic track like Mugello, was due to Valentino Rossi’s farewell to the World Championship.

“One of my favorite places, a magnificent track, the passion and the Italian brands … we got there, there were few people. Damn. Dorna contacted the organizers, such a bare backdrop seemed unbelievable to everyone. I avoid posing criticism, though–no smoke bombs, late-night parties, spectacle and full house. The opposite of what was usual.”

According to Poncharal, Valentino Rossi’s farewell was not the cause of the flop: “Absolutely not. Take Germany: no local riders in MotoGP, yet there was a ‘sell-out.’ On Mugello, I’ve heard several theories: too high prices, concurrence with a music festival in nearby Florence, coincidence with the June 2 holiday bridge. I only know that as I arrived in the area, I noticed the lack of publicity for the event.”