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LONDON, England - MotoGP and the World Superbike championship (WSBK) will in future be run by a single organiser, European private equity firm Bridgepoint said in a statement on Tuesday, October 2, 2012.
Dorna Sports, which organises MotoGP, will now also take responsibility for WSBK from Infront Sports & Media.
TWO EVENTS, ONE ORGANISER
Media reports in Britain said Bridgepoint, which holds a stake in both Spanish-based Dorna and Swiss-based Infront, instigated the move. The aim is to allow the two series - production-based Superbikes and prototype MotoGP machines - to develop their racing focus while benefiting from joint marketing and commercial strategies.
Infront has been appointed as marketing partner and global advisor to both, which will still be managed as separate events under one umbrella.
Philippe Blatter, president & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, said on the official MotoGP website: "Under the new structure, the two leading motorcycle road-racing events are now set for sustainable further growth and development. A true win-win situation has been created. Both Dorna and Infront can now further strengthen and focus on their core competencies and, in addition, achieve leading positions in their specific area of expertise."
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta added: "We're very excited to have the two top motorcycle road racing series under one roof.
"We fully expect to develop and strengthen the distinct nature of both MotoGP and WSBK as separate properties and remain committed to working with teams and manufacturers, circuit owners, sponsors and broadcasters to give fans the best experience yet."
MOVE WELCOMED ALL ROUND
Dorna has been the exclusive commercial and TV rights holder for MotoGP since 1992. Bridgepoint, which invested in Dorna Sports in 2006 and in Infront Sports & Media in 2011, added: "This is a logical and exciting development which should ensure that both these fantastic championships continue to flourish."
International Motorsport Federation president Vito Ippolito said the world governing body endorsed the reorganisation.
"I welcome Bridgepoint's decision to bring the two championships together within a single organisation," he said on the FIM's website.
Dorna Sports, which organises MotoGP, will now also take responsibility for WSBK from Infront Sports & Media.
TWO EVENTS, ONE ORGANISER
Media reports in Britain said Bridgepoint, which holds a stake in both Spanish-based Dorna and Swiss-based Infront, instigated the move. The aim is to allow the two series - production-based Superbikes and prototype MotoGP machines - to develop their racing focus while benefiting from joint marketing and commercial strategies.
Infront has been appointed as marketing partner and global advisor to both, which will still be managed as separate events under one umbrella.
Philippe Blatter, president & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, said on the official MotoGP website: "Under the new structure, the two leading motorcycle road-racing events are now set for sustainable further growth and development. A true win-win situation has been created. Both Dorna and Infront can now further strengthen and focus on their core competencies and, in addition, achieve leading positions in their specific area of expertise."
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta added: "We're very excited to have the two top motorcycle road racing series under one roof.
"We fully expect to develop and strengthen the distinct nature of both MotoGP and WSBK as separate properties and remain committed to working with teams and manufacturers, circuit owners, sponsors and broadcasters to give fans the best experience yet."
MOVE WELCOMED ALL ROUND
Dorna has been the exclusive commercial and TV rights holder for MotoGP since 1992. Bridgepoint, which invested in Dorna Sports in 2006 and in Infront Sports & Media in 2011, added: "This is a logical and exciting development which should ensure that both these fantastic championships continue to flourish."
International Motorsport Federation president Vito Ippolito said the world governing body endorsed the reorganisation.
"I welcome Bridgepoint's decision to bring the two championships together within a single organisation," he said on the FIM's website.
