MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events

MotoGP will impose fines on riders who fail to attend promotional events, the sport's governing body has announced. The MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group believes the presence of riders at championship events and promotional activities is crucial for the series' image. Riders who do not meet the minimum attendance requirements will face penalties with immediate effect.

The first such event is the MotoGP Hero Walk at the Indonesian GP on Sunday. This event allows fans to meet riders, take photos, and collect autographs. Riders who do not stay for at least 10 minutes during the 20-minute event will be fined €5,000, with the fine increasing for repeated offences. The championship has also announced that it may impose sporting sanctions if the pattern of non-attendance continues.

This decision comes after Marc Marquez sent a body double to a promotional kart race in Japan and Fabio Di Giannantonio did not attend the same event. Riders who attended the MotoGP Hero Walk event on Sunday in Indonesia were subjected to the heat and sun for the duration of the activity. Those who did not comply are expected to face penalties.