MotoGP Gossip: Saudi Arabia wants MotoGP, Agostini says Marquez has to race…

President of the Saudi Automobile Federation, Prince Khalid, has this week confirmed to Spanish publication MARCA that bringing MotoGP to the country is the next aim after securing Formula 1 with the new Jeddah street circuit. 

"We want to host all the major motorsport events and MotoGP is one of the most followed by Saudi citizens," explains Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Faisal Al Saud. 

Khalid added: "We are building a motor city in Qiddiya, with more than 10 circuits for rallies, cross-country events, rallycross, motocross ... for the best competitions in the world. And of course, we would love to organize MotoGP as well as soon as we arrive prepared because they are very exciting races."

The Qiddiya Circuit will be built as a central part of a mega-city on the outskirts of Riyadh, which will be approved to stage F1, MotoGP and WEC assures the head of Saudi Motorsport. [Marca.com]

The opening MotoGP race in Qatar is just over a week away, and with the return of Marc Marquez still unclear, fifthteen-time world champion Giacomo Agostini has given his thoughts saying: "Marquez has to race in Qatar and finish last". During a live broadcast with Carlo Pernat, Agostini joined the show and added: "It would be a great workout for him," whilst also stating that the Spaniard should also be happy to finish last. [Gpone.com]

In Decemeber 2017, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer made headlines when he announced plans to buy Ducati, but these plans and consequent sale negotiations between the KTM boss and Ducati owner Audi have not gone well, as Pierer admits they have been 'off the table since Decemeber' 2020.

Pierer has repeatedly stated he would not build motorcycles of more than two cylinders. "Ducati will come under pressure. All the new challenges such as digitization and e-mobility, new emissions standards, a manufacturer as small as Ducati cannot cope with them in the long run," added the Austrian. [Speedweek.com]