Valentino Rossi of Ducati Team unwilling to go to Japan for MotoGP round in October – MotoGP news
Ducati Team rider Valentino Rossi has denied the option to visit Japan for the 15th MotoGP round due on October 2, 2011.
The issue arose when the Fukushima reactor was damaged during the deadly earthquake and tsunami in March in the country.
Due to security reasons, the Japanese Grand Prix at the Motegi circuit was delayed from April to later in the year in October. Apparently the damages occurred to circuit were repaired but the nuclear radiation issue was the major cause of the rider’s objection.
Rossi said, “I really don't think I'll be going to Japan. We are all afraid: myself, my friends, the team. The idea of racing in Japan doesn't seem sensible to me. Until today I've kept a low profile about it in the hope that the people at the top in MotoGP
would take the right decision, but it didn't happen.”
Earlier at the Silverstone event, riders Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and few others demanded to skip the Japanese round for health risks at the devastated country. The damaged nuclear reactor is situated within 100km from the race venue which has been the
problem for riders.
Rossi said, “Even if the ARPA results on Motegi are correct, there's still an unsafe nuclear plant less than 100 kilometres away and a violent earthquake per week in the area. I understand who goes to Japan for humanitarian reasons, but for a motorcycle
race no, I can't accept that.”
The Italian rider has also suggested another option to race at another venue, Suzuka. Rossi also declined the offer of insurance.
He also said that he is unconcerned about other riders’ decision whether they want to go or not. He is willing to take the sole decision about the matter that has been in discussions since March. Rossi is about to take the final decision by the Misano round
in September whether he will or will not race in Japan.
After the devastation, MotoGP and Dorna Sports commissioned ARPA agency to determine the situation at Motegi. The ARPA report cleared all doubts and following the reports, MotoGP and Dorna announced their decision to conduct the race at Japan.
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