The series of black accidents in the youth classes of motorcycle racing never ends. Starting with the tragic death of 14-year-old Hugo Millán (Sp) at the European Talent Cup in Aragon in July 2021, five very young racers died when their bikes fell. On Saturday, there was the next devastating accident at the Rookies Cup in Spielberg, in which 15-year-old Frenchman Amaury Mizera was seriously injured. No other sport is so dangerous for young people. What the world association FIM intends to do so that the drama does not continue.
They were young talents who dreamed of a great career in motorsport. Gone from life in a millisecond, perhaps from a single minor oversight. Teenagers who have mainly ridden their motorcycles since kindergarten. Driven by the desire to one day reach the highest racing class. With enormous pressure on the shoulders. Five teenagers, almost children, died in just one year during junior races, test drives or practice. Those responsible are more than alarmed and promise to take measures after every accident to reduce the dangers. So far without success, according to the clash between the Hungarian Sorra Görbe and the French Amaury Mizera in Spielberg.
Torn from life
The chronology is depressing. On July 25, 2021, 14-year-old Hugo Millán crashed on the second of 15 laps at Turn 5 of Motorland Aragon. The Spaniard was able to get up before being hit head-on by a passenger from behind. Just two months later, during the race in Jerez, 15-year-old Berta Viñales (Sp) fell and was run over by another rider. Also in September 2021, the just 17-year-old Motocross Champion Jude Morris (Eng) suffered a fatal accident at a British Motorcycle Championship. In February 2022, 16-year-old Jakub Gurecky from the Czech Republic and 17-year-old Thai Thannaphet Kusuwan died during test drives. The most recent accident occurred on Saturday in Spielberg at the Rookies Cup.
Age limits are constantly being raised
The unrest in the motorcycle world is enormous. It is high time for the world motorcycle association FIM and rights holder Dorna to take action. In a first step, the age limits in the series will be abolished in 2022, followed by a further increase in 2023 (see table). Then you should Entrants to the Moto3 Junior World Championship will be 16 years old instead of the previous 14, with a grid of up to 32 riders. The Red Bull Rookies Cup raises the minimum age of riders from 13 to 15, and World Supersport 300 riders must be at least 18 years old, instead of 15. All riders in MotoGP races must be at least 18 years old, instead of 16 Only the winners of the Moto3 Junior Championship and the Red Bull Rookies Cup can start at the age of 17.
Early warning systems and fines
In addition, a real-time accident warning system is being developed that will warn drivers as soon as a driver falls in front of them. The first tests for this are already underway. “We are talking about electronic devices. In the event of a fall, the lights must come on. If such a light signal comes half a second earlier, it can help to prevent such things in the future,” said Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta in an interview. “But we also talk to the FIM about sanctions,” says Ezpeleta. should be punished. For example, a driver could change his approach.” – It is hoped that the measures are sufficient.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
