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The QJ Motor precedent, a warning for the future of motorcycle racing

Let's take back control of our sport: as Lucius Anneus Seneca said, "Lay hold of today's task, and you will not need to depend so much upon tomorrow's."

The QJ Motor precedent, a warning for the future of motorcycle racing

It is a dangerous precedent, the one regarding QJ Motor's ultimatum to the Gresini team, which resulted - we learnt today - in the cancellation of the sponsorship of the Moto2 team, this year.

However, this ultimatum was in the air: the request to fire Manuel Gonzales for wearing a headband was after all, unacceptable.

And this is clearly an ultimatum in Hitler style. A strong adjective, we are perfectly aware, but one that should give pause to those who - and there have been some inept ones here as well - have compared the swastika to the rising sun, which, after all, is the legitimate flag of the Japanese nation. And let us add that the Hachimaki is sold on stalls, in Tokyo, while no one in Germany would dream of placing a swastika sash for sale.

There are the different cultures, of course, and one must always take that into account, certainly, but with history one must be able to come to terms. And above all, accept it as part of the past.

It can be done, in a democratic nation, where there is dialogue about what is permissible, what is borderline and what is totally unacceptable. We, as Italians, have it written in the Constitution what can be done and what cannot be done. It is talked about, we talk about it, far too much, but that too is freedom.

But not every country in the world can boast of our democracy, and we have to deal with that. Dialogue with each other, with these countries, and starting from each other's differences to have a common ground on which to stand. A podium without differences in positions: sport, which also through fair competition, makes the differences.

With the clarification, however, that these are resolved with an embrace in which the beaten draws strength and inspiration from his or her opponent to improve.

That's what sport is all about and it does not tolerate ultimatums. That is why QJ Motor's behavior is unacceptable and extremely dangerous for our sport and for sport in general. As Pius VII said, we cannot, will not, must not accept it. Never again.

Irrespective of the responsibilities, of the offenses that are received and given - because none of us is perfect - this is not the way in which disputes are resolved. Because after the ultimatum there is always only war or acceptance of overpowering by the stronger.

Let us go further: we believe that the QJ Motor-Gresini case has in a way frightened Dorna - although we know that 'frightened' is not a word that Carmelo Ezpeleta would ever use, because he does not frighten - where, in fact, can the presence of a sponsor who frightens or imposes his conditions take us?

Think about it for a moment: could Lenovo, Ducati's powerful Chinese sponsor, demand anything from the Borgo Panigale factory? Let's be clear: to demand has a rather broad meaning. It includes contractual obligations, up to and including pressure (not coincidentally we find the root 'pre' here as well) that could become unacceptable.

And what might happen, from here to 'X' number of years in the future when, presumably, the presence of Chinese sponsors, or even manufacturers, increases? Will they be the ones to impose diktats?

It is worth remembering and pointing out that the Japanese industry - Honda's first constructors' title in MotoGP was in 1966 - has not demanded anything from the FIM, but rather has always bent to its will. Because it is one thing to demand, it is another to activate politically for one's own interests.

There has been, in the past, interference, even at the level of riders. We don't want to get into the specific case, but counterbalancing them was the economic power of the sponsors. It's always a question of balance, but you know balances change quickly, and we are in a historical moment when you have to realize the reliability of the partners to whom we hand over the keys to our sport.

Lay hold of today's task, and you will not need to depend so much upon tomorrow's, said Lucius Anneus Seneca. And this seems to us the best advice we can give to our beloved motorcycling.

Concluding note: QJ Motor Italia had not been consulted and until the very end tried to get the parent company to change its tune for a 'peaceful' resolution of the matter.

 

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