Rossi returns for Misano MotoGP Virtual Race
Valentino Rossi will return to the grid for the fourth edition of the MotoGP Virtual Race, which will feature a MotoE race for the first time.
The coronavirus crisis has forced the first 11 rounds of the 2020 MotoGP season to be either cancelled or postponed, with the campaign aiming to start in late July at Jerez.
In the absence of real-world competition, MotoGP has organised Virtual Races on the official MotoGP video game with grids made up exclusively of current MotoGP riders.
After missing the Virtual GP of Spain last time out, won by Monster Energy Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales, Rossi headlines an 11-rider grid for the Misano event – taking place when the actual French Grand Prix was scheduled at Le Mans – while it will be the second time the new MotoGP20 video game will be used following its launch.
The event has been shaken up with MotoE acting as a support race for MotoGP, with the Moto2 and Moto3 classes missing, as inaugural MotoE World Cup winner Matteo Ferrari stars on the entry list for Gresini.
Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez and his rookie brother Alex, who won the first #StayAtHomeGP at Mugello, continue as Honda’s line-up, joined by Takaaki Nakagami for LCR Honda, while the factory Ducati team’s sole representation is test rider Michele Pirro.
Fabio Quartararo will represent his Petronas Yamaha squad, with Austria #StayAtHomeGP winner Francesco Bagnaia racing for Pramac and Tito Rabat for Avintia.
Fresh from signing a new Suzuki contract, Joan Mir will be the team’s representative, as Italian test rider Lorenzo Savadori fills the same role for Aprilia.
Previous rules confirmed by MotoGP had stipulated 11 teams can field one rider each, though Honda is exempt as reigning champions, but with no KTM representation Rossi has been granted the spare spot with Yamaha.
The MotoGP race will be contested over nine laps, while the first-ever MotoE virtual race will cover five laps. The event will get underway at 2pm BST on Sunday 17th May and will be broadcast worldwide.
For more on the exciting world of Esports, check out Motorsport Games.
Previous article
Doohan, Brown among Supercars starters
Next article
Super Formula drivers set for first Virtual race
Live - Round 1 - Monza
Live - GTWC Euro Esports - Round 7: Nurburgring
Live - Le Mans Virtual Cup: Round 1 - Monza
Live - SimRacing Expo 2021: Sunday
Live - SimRacing Expo 2021: Saturday
How an unlikely tie-up won sim racing's biggest prize
An unlikely partnership between World Endurance Championship LMP1 privateers Rebellion Racing and Williams Formula 1's highly-successful sim racing team yielded victory in the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Here's how it triumphed in the biggest sim race ever staged
How seriously should Esports be taken?
As interest in Esports has increased during the coronavirus lockdown, the lines have become blurred between what's real and what's virtual - especially when some high-profile participants seem to be playing for laughs, says Luke Smith
Why Abt's deception left Audi with no choice
Daniel Abt's suspension by the Audi Formula E team - and possible loss of his drive - for fielding a ringer in an Esports event could be considered an overreaction. But in a wider context, his employers had little other alternative
How Leclerc is embracing his new mission
The emergence of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc as a Twitch streaming star has been one of the pleasant surprises of lockdown so far. He says it is giving fans a greater insight into his nature, but that's not his primary purpose
Leclerc's Virtual GP annihilation deserves great credit
The introduction of Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell and Antonio Giovinazzi to Formula 1's Virtual GP last weekend meant it was a step above the franchise's debut two weeks ago. But a dominant performance from Esports newcomer Leclerc stole the show
How the hidden side of being fast has been exposed
The lack of real track action so far this year hasn't stop drivers from keeping their racing brains 'fresh', as former F1 star Stoffel Vandoorne suggested last weekend.
Why entertainment isn't Esports greatest virtue right now
MotoGP's virtual #StayAtHomeGP was a sad reminder of some of the storylines that could be unfolding had the real-life season not been delayed indefinitely by the coronavirus pandemic. While we can bemoan Esports as being a poor relation of the real thing, it has an even more important function to perform
F1’s pantomime Virtual GP is fun but unsustainable
F1 Esports' inaugural Virtual Grand Prix last weekend provided brilliant entertainment to those tuning in to watch a mix of F1 drivers and celebrities battle on track, but was a missed opportunity for marketing its own Esports stars. A change of approach is needed if it is to successfully fill the void until the resumption of proper racing
