When Bridgepoint private equity group, who already owned the MotoGP series decided to buy Infront Sports and Media – who also owned the World Superbike championship run by the Flammini brothers last year, you didn’t need a crystal ball to know that that the two championships would end up being run under one single group in order to save time, energy and above all money and that Dorna Sports would be doing honours.
In a statement released yesterday (after the jump) it was officially confirmed that Dorna will run the two series under the same roof, while Infront gets the “marketing advisor and global advisor” role and the FIM who likes to posture, but has as much power over rule making as we do, naturally blessed the whole new organization process with their own press release.
The two championship will have to stay separate in order to avoid any backlash from the European Union’s Merger Commission as they approved the acquisition, but what worries most fans is what will happen to WSBKs under Dorna’s rule, as MotoGP despite its immense popularity (MotoGP gets 100 times more feedback than World Superbikes) is no longer considered by many as the best racing in town to watch, despite machines that cost millions and some of the best and most known riders in the world.
Bridgepoint brings together MotoGP™ and World SuperbikesInfront Sports & Media to act as marketing partner and global advisor for both championshipsBridgepoint has announced that Dorna Sports and Infront Sports & Media have reached agreement to bring both their motorcycle racing interests under a single umbrella organisation.
Dorna is the organiser of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (“MotoGP™”), whilst Infront organises the eni FIM Superbike World Championship (“WorldSBK”) through its subsidiary Infront Motor Sports.
As a consequence, MotoGP and WorldSBK, will be integrated within the Dorna Sports group but managed as separate events with a view to enhancing the two distinct championships.
The objective is to allow both series to develop and enhance their championship personalities, retaining their leadership positions in the arena of world motorcycle road racing – WorldSBK, with its focus on production-based racing, and MotoGP with its focus on prototype racing.
At the same time, both championships will benefit from joint marketing and commercial strategies.
Alongside this re-organisation, Infront has been appointed as marketing partner and global advisor to both championships.
Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, said: “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.
”Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, 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 WorldSBK as separate properties and remain committed to working with teams and manufacturers, circuit owners, sponsors and broadcasters to give fans the best experience yet.
”Commenting on the re-organisation, Bridgepoint said: “This is a logical and exciting development which should ensure that both these fantastic Championships continue to flourish.
”About Dorna SportsDorna Sports is an international sports management, marketing and media company, founded in 1988.
The organisation has its headquarters in Madrid, and further branch offices in Barcelona, London and Tokyo.
Dorna has been the exclusive commercial and television rights holder for the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix MotoGP since 1992.
With more than 60 years of history MotoGP™ is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.
Dorna has an all-encompassing Grand Prix event management philosophy, with 360º direct involvement in all areas of the MotoGP™ World Championship.
Dorna has additional involvement in further motorcycling events, such as the Spanish National Championship (CEV) and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, which seeks to promote the development of the next generation of riding talent.
www.
dorna.
com / www.
motogp.
comAbout Infront Sports & MediaInfront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, is one of the leading international sports marketing groups in the world.
Known for its high standards of delivery, the company covers all aspects of a successful sport event – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operations.
As a leading player in winter sport, football and other summer sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 130 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies.
With an experienced and passionate team of 500 staff in 20 offices across 10 countries, the Group helps to annually deliver 3,300 event days of top class sport around the world.
www.
infrontsports.
com / www.
worldsbk.
comAbout BridgepointBridgepoint is a European private equity firm focussing on the acquisition of companies valued up to €1 billion.
With some €11 billion of capital raised to date, it typically focuses on acquiring well managed companies in attractive sectors with the potential to grow organically or through acquisition.
It has offices throughout in Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Stockholm and a portfolio development office in Shanghai.
It invested in Dorna Sports in 2006 and in Infront Sports & Media in 2011.
www.
bridgepoint.
eu_________________________________________________FIM Statement following the announcement by BridgepointThe Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has taken due note of Bridgepoint’s announcement that it is reorganising its motor sport interests by bringing MotoGP and World Superbikes together under one umbrella organisation.
The FIM President Vito Ippolito said of the reorganisation: “I welcome Bridgepoint’s decision to bring the two championships together within a single organisation.
We shall shortly be holding a meeting of all the stakeholders in order to reposition the two championships annd look into the technical and operational implications.
We shall then be able to adapt the regulationns to ensure that they have a distinct identity in future.
”