Cities are already interested in next year's MotoGP launch - Ezpeleta

Dorna’s sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta has revealed that multiple cities have shown interest in hosting MotoGP’s season launch next year following a successful inaugural event in Bangkok.

Almost the entire MotoGP caravan came out in force for its 2025 presentation in Thailand’s capital on Sunday, with the riders taking part in a massive parade through the city before setting sail for Buriram, where they will close the pre-season.

With the clear intention of gaining a global presence and positioning, Dorna had been working on organising the event for almost a year, and plans on making it the starting point for each season.

Although the idea was conceived in 2023, a lack of time led Dorna to postpone the first edition and focus all its efforts on the 2025 kick-off. Considering the commitment, the resources and the overall impression of all those who came to One Bangkok Square, it can be concluded that the event was a success.

Despite months of conversations with the relevant parties, it was not until October last year, when Dorna executives visited Thailand for the grand prix, that the event was green-lighted. It followed a detailed analysis of the viability of the chosen site, which Ezpeleta described as 'a jewel'.

The logistical challenge was not easy, but having pulled it off, Dorna is confident of making the season launch event an annual fixture.

“We already have other cities interested in hosting this event next year,” Ezpeleta told Motorsport.com.

“Everyone would like to have a MotoGP race in the city centre, but that's impossible. So this event serves to, in a way, bring us closer to them.

“We are in a moment of great growth. In terms of ticket sales we are 35% up on this time last year.

“Dorna's focus over the last three decades has been to bring the sport to its peak. Now, with that foundation of sport and structure, we are ready to welcome new fans. By doing things like this event I think we are on the right track.”

Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda

Photo by: Dorna

The Bangkok event began at around 10am with a photoshoot of all the available riders on top of their MotoGP bikes at the Marble Temple.

In the afternoon, at around 5pm, the show got closer to the public and the fans, who surrounded the stage as riders made their appearances. The riders then hopped on their bikes for demo runs to enthral the crowd.

Pre-recorded videos of Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio were also shown to the public, with the trio unable to make it to Bangkok after picking up injuries in the Sepang test just days prior.

“Dorna is committed to promoting our sport, that's why we had to be here in Bangkok,’ said Marc Marquez.

His team-mate at Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia, added: “The event is spectacular.”

“The truth is that we had a great time; they made it very easy for us and it was a pleasure,” commented Marco Bezzecchi.

Following the Bangkok event, teams and riders flew to Buriram on Monday for the final pre-season test of the year. The Thai circuit will host two days of running on Wednesday and Thursday, before kicking off the season in earnest on 28 February - 2 March.