Ezpeleta: Entertainment must take priority

Wearers of Shark helmets may be interested to learn Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer of MotoGP parent company Dorna Sports, has expressed the opinion that entertainment is more important than technology in ensuring the future of the competition.

Speaking at Wroom 2012, the Dorna boss emphasised the ongoing debate between manufacturers, racers and his company about new claiming rules team (CRT) bikes and measures to increase competition in the sport.

"The problem is not just how to reduce costs, it's that if someone invests a significant amount, wins the championship and then leaves, it leaves you with nothing," added Ezpelata.

Dorna's chief executive officer added that levels of technology had made bikes too expensive, necessitating the controversial switch to lower-technology CRT machines.

He added that in times of economic difficulty it was important to maintain the sport's entertainment value.

Repsol Honda racer Dani Pedrosa claimed recently in an interview with Spanish sports website sports.es he would be unhappy if forced to ride a CRT bike, calling it "a step backwards".

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