Independent teams from the Dorna, IRTA and MotoGP ™ classes are extending the partnership for a further five years
A new agreement secures the future of the vital relationship between independent teams in the Dorna Sports, IRTA and MotoGP ™ classes for at least another five years
Thursday February 11, 2021
Dorna Sports is proud to announce the signing of a new five-year contract with independent teams in the IRTA and MotoGP ™ classes from 2022 to 2026. IRTA, the International Road Racing Teams Association, was founded in 1986 and gives Grand Prix teams a voice in the decision-making process to ensure that their interests are represented and protected.
Since Dorna Sports became the owner of the commercial rights to the FIM MotoGP ™ World Championship in 1992, IRTA has been an integral part of the steadily growing success of MotoGP ™ in almost 30 years in which FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna have ridden together. This is the seventh agreement between IRTA and Dorna as both parties work together to increase athletic and financial support and to improve the playing field.
The growing success of independent teams is a cornerstone of the record breaking level of competition in modern times. There were a staggering nine different winners in 2020, and parity on the grid is historic. Independent teams now regularly fight for podium positions and victories. This is the second five-year contract between the IRTA and the independent teams.
IRTA has been an integral part of increasing the level of competition in the championship, both in terms of parity of manufacturer performance and the competitiveness of independent teams. In 2020 alone, five factories made it onto the premier class podium, and a staggering nine teams finished a race on the podium, four of which were independent teams. Two independent teams have achieved an overall victory, of which they have achieved an impressive eight of the 14 premier class victories offered in 2020. Last season, seven different countries were among the winners, podium finishers and pole positions, and the first time a little history was made, Premier Class wins for Portugal and South Africa.
IRTA was critical to this success, and the association is also critical to the continued success of the Moto2 ™ and Moto3 ™ classes, which are an integral part of the MotoGP ™ World Championship as a stand-alone competition and as a path to the premier class. Although the agreements with the intermediate and lightweight teams are renewed annually, this five-year extension strengthens the future of Moto2 ™ and Moto3 ™ and increases financial support for both.
IRTA’s role also extends to logistics and organization, ensuring that the paddock is the safest, cleanest and most efficient space for everyone who works in it. This new agreement between IRTA, the Independent Teams and Dorna will ensure that this multi-faceted collaboration will continue to grow for at least five years as all parties work to create the best possible MotoGP ™ World Championship.
Hervé Poncharal, President of the IRTA: “The 2021 MotoGP racing season has not yet started, but we already have great news to announce to the world. Dorna, IRTA and the independent MotoGP class teams have already decided to extend their partnership for another five years from 2022 to 2026. This is the best news we could have.
“Times are not easy at the moment, so it is always a big bonus to have security, to have visibility and to be able to continue working with the same partner. Having a promoter like Dorna by our side, led by Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, is like a dream for all of us. The relationship since 1992 when we started working together has been excellent and has improved every year. Every question or request that arises from the teams or the drivers is always taken very seriously by Dorna. The safety, the race, the technical side and the show have always improved and I am convinced that 2020 was an incredible year with nine different winners and an exciting fight in each round. This is due to the hard work of Dorna, IRTA, the manufacturers and the teams.
“I would like to thank Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta and the entire Dorna organization for being on our side and for letting us dream for another five years. We’ll definitely improve to try and have the best show possible. “
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We couldn’t be happier to announce another five year contract with IRTA and the Independent Teams. I am proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to continuing our collaboration.
“One of the first things we did at the start of MotoGP was working closely with IRTA. The historic level of competition and the interest in sport are an achievement we are proud of. It’s a great pleasure for me to see our independent teams keep getting stronger and I’m really looking forward to at least another five years of working together to bring MotoGP to a new level again. I would also like to express my personal thanks to Mike Trimby and Hervé Poncharal. Your contribution to the championship and the sport is invaluable and the relationship couldn’t be better. “