The MotoGP riders continue to work to create an association to represent them, as the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) in Formula 1. In the last few days, Sylvain Guintoli has emerged as a possible leader in that structure.
Aleix Espargaró highlighted the importance of having an organization to represent the riders: ‘For me, there isn’t a reason. In every sport you have an athletes’ union and I think you need to have it. It’s not about why, it’s necessary. The team bosses, especially in Moto3 and Moto2, can break the contracts whenever they want and they have IRTA, which means racing teams’ association and nothing happens. So, for the riders, I think it’s good to have a riders’ union’.
Asked how an organization like this could do to improve MotoGP, the Spaniard replied: ‘Many things, and also about the schedule, about many other things, the safety. I think it’s not good to start to talk, it’s better to keep it a little bit private, to make it happen because for the moment we just talked with Sylvain’.
Regarding choosing Guintoli to lead the assocation, Espargaró explained: ‘We did a brainstorm and many names came up. I don’t remember who had the idea of Sylvain, but I think Sylvain is a good candidate: he is a good guy, he has a good experience, he speaks good English, he knows the championship, he is still working for Michelin. So, I think he is good’.