Photo: motogp.com
Watch manufacturer Sector and clothing company Gas Jeans are no longer sponsoring Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez, and the Italian media speculates that the way the 2015 MotoGoseason ended has to do with these moves.
The Sepang incident and what followed after it seems to have far greater repercussions on the premier class, at least as far as Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez are concerned. Two of the MotoGP sponsors backed off as the season ended, one for each.
Now, both companies are Italian, while the two riders are Spanish, but nationality seems to be a secondary issue. The main reason behind the decisions of Sector and Gas is that the two riders were perceived as having teamed up against Valentino Rossi in the final stages of the season that ended last Sunday.
The move is not to be necessarily linked to a potential Italy vs Spain issue. Sector and Gas have most likely decided to put an end to the contracts they had with Lorenzo and Marquez, respectively, because of the public perception that the two were against Rossi, arguably the biggest Italian name in sports. MM93 still had Gas on his leathers yesterday in Valencia, so this needs some investigation later.
Apparently, the two sponsors believe that having their names tied to "those who are against Rossi" is bad for business in Italy, one of the strongest markets for both manufacturers, according to motoblog. The lawsuit two Italian journalists filed against Marquez also did little to help mend the already tense situation.
The truth is that the entire story is screaming for an official position from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a body that maintained Rossi's penalty for Valencia, but which still has to issue a final ruling in this case.
We can only hope that things will cool down a bit before the 2016 season starts, both in the fans' camps and in the paddock.
Now, both companies are Italian, while the two riders are Spanish, but nationality seems to be a secondary issue. The main reason behind the decisions of Sector and Gas is that the two riders were perceived as having teamed up against Valentino Rossi in the final stages of the season that ended last Sunday.
Not a move against Spanish riders, but a move against those who are (at least perceived to be) against Rossi
While this alleged partnership between the Yamaha and the Honda rider was never proved, we'll refrain from discussing it any longer. However, the Italian companies didn't take too kind of what Italian MotoGP fans said after Phillip Island.The move is not to be necessarily linked to a potential Italy vs Spain issue. Sector and Gas have most likely decided to put an end to the contracts they had with Lorenzo and Marquez, respectively, because of the public perception that the two were against Rossi, arguably the biggest Italian name in sports. MM93 still had Gas on his leathers yesterday in Valencia, so this needs some investigation later.
Apparently, the two sponsors believe that having their names tied to "those who are against Rossi" is bad for business in Italy, one of the strongest markets for both manufacturers, according to motoblog. The lawsuit two Italian journalists filed against Marquez also did little to help mend the already tense situation.
The truth is that the entire story is screaming for an official position from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a body that maintained Rossi's penalty for Valencia, but which still has to issue a final ruling in this case.
We can only hope that things will cool down a bit before the 2016 season starts, both in the fans' camps and in the paddock.
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