the frenetic night in the circuit of Argentina

As you can imagine, the activity on the circuit, in the paddock and, also, in the airport of Santiago de Estero where, in the end, landed the huge boeing 777 damaged, it was chilling, electrifying and spectacular because, throughout this night, trucks, boxes, ‘bulls’ and dozens of mechanics have been working, under the lights, to be able to build the missing ‘pits’ and leave everything to point so that, in a few hours, the riders can get their bikes ready and start racing.

“When you organize an event like this, you are exposed to problems of this nature & rdquor ;, comments Carmelo Ezpeletahead of the world two wheels. “Normally, the most serious are usually the weather, as happened to us, shortly before the MotoGP race in Mandalika, in Indonesia, but, for the first time, one of the large planes that transports part of the boxes has broken down. And, not once, but twice & rdquor ;.

The World Cup, on this occasion, since there were also the boxes of the promotional championship of the Asia Talent Cup, which represent 28,000 more kilos, transported, from the island of Lombok (Indonesia) to Termas de Río Hondo (Argentina), 383,000 kilosdistributed as follows: 235,000 of team material, 133,433 from the organization itself, Dorna TV and security cars and 15,000 from other suppliers, such as Michelin and various assistance firms, such as suspensions and brakes, finally arrived at Termas 734 boxes of equipment, 154 from Dorna and 103 from various suppliers.

The chartered planes were five, three Boeing 747 and two Boeing 777. “The war in Ukraine has added a huge problem to air transport and that is that the number of aircraft of this size has been reduced by 20%, which, as you can understand, are huge, to hire, since they are from Russian companies & rdquor ;, said Ezpeleta after announcing the suspension of training yesterday, Friday.

Some teams, such as the French champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) or the one of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), yes they had been able to set up their ‘pits’. “I even have my bike, so while I can’t ride my Aprilia, I’ll ride around on my racing bike and go over the circuit, which is dirty, because there is usually little activity here, but not horrendous, plus we’re used to it so much in Qatar as in Indonesia, where the first two races have been held, there is not much activity either and it was just as dirty”.

The problem, of course, is that having missed so many training (Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP), the track will take time to clear. “And, in addition, we have to do all the work & rdquor ;, pointed out the Portuguese Miguel Oliveirawinner, with KTM, in Mandalika, fifteen days ago, “with two sessions less and, above all, with very little time between sessions and, therefore, we will have to get the set-up right, because our mechanics will not be able to spend a lot of time changing the bike & rdquor ;.

“I only know that it is a good opportunity to surprise & rdquor ;, comments Alex Marquez, Honda LCR team rider. “I mean, normally, you always use Friday to get everything ready; Now, you will have to get it right the first time and, if you get it right, you will have a certain advantage over those who take more time to find the right set-up, because I don’t think anyone will achieve it perfect, to face the ‘quali’ and, of course, the career & rdquor ;.