MotoGP to press ahead with Qatar GP despite regional tensions, rider concerns

Oct 23 : MotoGP will forge ahead with next month's Qatar Grand Prix despite Middle East tensions and concerns from some riders over safety, while others said they trusted organisers Dorna to ensure the race could be staged safely.

The race at the Lusail International Circuit, originally scheduled for April but postponed to November 6-8 due to the regional conflict, remains on the calendar for what would be the 20th round of the season.

Several sports events in Saudi Arabia, including the Saudi International golf tournament, the Urban Cycling World Championships and the FIFAe World Cup, were scrapped earlier this month after a strike on Riyadh's international airport killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300.

Earlier this week, the US State Department ordered some diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and plans to withdraw family members from a number of other US missions in the region.

However, a MotoGP source told Reuters the Qatar Grand Prix remains on the calendar and preparations continue, adding that the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved was their first priority.

ALEX MARQUEZ VOICES SCEPTICISM

Gresini Racing's Alex Marquez, who finished runner-up in the championship last season, voiced scepticism about whether safety could truly be guaranteed in such a volatile environment.

"Every day, it (the situation) changes and every day it looks worse. That's how it is," the Spaniard said ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

"The championship tells us that everything is under control, but I think nobody has a situation like that under control. It's quite complex.

"From one day to the next, everything can change a lot, and I think it's not a decision they should make now.