MotoGP riders hit by debris as Goiania track conditions spark safety concerns
Updated: 13:26, 23 Mar
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Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is an accredited MotoGP reporter with four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries. His experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross/Motocross.
The Brazilian Grand Prix in Goiania was certainly an eventful one, but it appears that the track itself stole most of the spotlight - and not always for the right reasons.
Following heavy rain throughout the week in the build up to the Grand Prix, the conditions at the Ayrton Senna International Autodrome were tricky at best, and worryingly dangerous at worst.
After flooding hit the track on Thursday night, a huge amount of effort was put into cleaning it up in time for the race weekend, however, a massive sinkhole opened on the track on Saturday, forcing delays to the action and prompting concerns about the safety of the surface.
Several riders were struck by small pieces of asphalt kicking up from the track, and the unpredictable grip levels led to a huge double highside in the Moto3 race.
Following the MotoGP race, it came to light at riders such as Alex Rins and Alex Marquez had all been struck by pieces of the track being displaced from the riders in front.
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Turkish World SuperBike Champion Toprak Raztgatlioglu also fell victim to the conditions, and likely had an extremely uncomfortable Brazilian Grand Prix given the gravel was stuck in his boots throughout the race.
Toprak's teammate, Jack Miller, also colourfully gave his perspective:
The track at the Goiania surface was only resurfaced last November, which led to some criticism among commentators that the track was not adequately prepared ahead of time.
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There were even reports that local prisoners had been called in to assist with the flood-clearing efforts on Thursday, prompting questions as to whether the Grand Prix should have been allowed to go ahead at all.
It was the first time a MotoGP race has been held at the track since 1989, and due to the unique geography and the clay surface beneath the track, it seems that water retention is a critical issue for organisers to manage in future.
Massive sinkhole on track disrupts Brazilian MotoGP weekend
The conditions caught out lots of riders in the MotoGP qualifying session earlier today, which saw Fabio Di Giannantonio claim his first pole position since 2022.
Meanwhile there were crashes for both Marquez brothers, Bagnaia, Martin, Acosta and Toprak among others. Even Thai Grand Prix pole-sitter Bezzecchi found the gravel at one point, though like Marquez managed to recover to a front-row spot.
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To make matters worse, it seems that a sink hole has opened directly beneath the track near the start-finish straight.
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