At the German MotoGP pre-event press conference on Thursday, Pedro Acosta expressed strong criticism regarding the handling of the recent tragedy involving Borja Gomez. The young Spanish rider, who tragically died during practice for the European Superstock Championship at Magny-Cours on July 3, was a leading competitor in the series. Acosta addressed the painful loss and the decision to continue the race weekend despite the incident.
Acosta Condemns the Decision to Continue Racing
Pedro Acosta, visibly emotional, recalled his long-standing connection with Borja Gomez, stating,
“I’ve known [Borja] since we were kids, because we were like 30 minutes from each other,”
—Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM rider. Acosta then openly criticized the event organizers for proceeding with the weekend’s races, calling it,
“the most unrespectable thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
He challenged those responsible to consider how they would feel if such a tragedy happened to their own children, emphasizing that sometimes life should take precedence over the continuation of a sporting event.
“Sometimes we say that the show must go on, but sometimes life is more expensive than a championship race.”
—Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM rider.
FIM Europe’s Announcement and Response
Following Gomez’s fatal crash during free practice at the Circuit de Nevers-Magny Cours, FIM Europe released a statement expressing their condolences and confirming the event would proceed “in his honour and memory.” They extended their sympathy to Gomez’s family, friends, and team, highlighting the difficult circumstances the community faced. Despite this, Pedro Acosta’s words reflected a widespread feeling of frustration and sadness about continuing the championship events without a pause to mourn the loss properly.
The Impact of the Tragedy on the Racing Community
Borja Gomez’s death has deeply affected fellow riders including double world champion Pedro Acosta and prominent figures like Marc Marquez, who both addressed the situation during the recent press conference. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the risks sportspersons face in high-speed championships like Moto2 and the European Superstock. The intense emotions and critical remarks from competitors underscore the ongoing debate about race safety and respect for riders, especially in the aftermath of such losses.
