MotoGP Gossip: ITV4 attracts peak audience, Ciabatti admits 8 Ducati’s possible

In this week’s MotoGP Gossip Column we take a look at the viewing numbers from ITV4’s free-to-air TV coverage of Le Mans, Paolo Ciabbati admits 8 Ducati bikes on the grid is a real possibility, while Valentino Rossi says flag-to-flag races are ‘more dangerous’, and that ‘I don’t like’ them.
Jack Miller race start, French MotoGP, 16 May 2021
Jack Miller race start, French MotoGP, 16 May 2021
© Gold and Goose

Last week’s M🎀otoGP of Le Mans was the first time that British free-to-air TV showed a live race in seven years. So… how did it do? 

Well, the Grand Prix was cer🌠tainly a spectacular one and a good representation of the sport  for starters, as the first flag-to-flag race since Brno 2017 attracte🙈d over 400,000 viewers. 

As reported by Motorsport Magazine, 🥂the exact figure was 425,000. These numbers are according to BARB from Overnights.tv. 

Le Mans is not the only race that will be aired on ITV this season as the British Grand Prix at Sil🍸verstone has also been an🎃nounced.

Remote video URL

The figure of 425,000 is impressive given it doubled what ☂BT Sport🧔’s coverage typically attracts which is 150,000 to 250,000 viewers per race. . 

. If Ducati are to agree terms for another two bikes on the grid, it will be a continuation of the good few weeks for the Bologna team with Miller taking back-to-back wins and Francesco Bagnaia one point of the title lead. 

The Australian’s stunning form is rumoured to result in a c꧒ontract extension from the team -  announcement expected at the next Mugello MotoGP round.&nb🉐sp;

Finally in today’s MotoGP column we have the subject of ﷺflag-to-flag races. Le Mans provided one of the craziest races in recent memory, but for Valentino Rossi it’s a format of racing he’s not a fan of. 

On the idea of flag-to-flag races Rossi said: "Personally, I don't like the flag-to-flag races - not because it's stressful,✃ but because they are difficult and above all are more dangerous."

Rossi finished the race in 11th position after qualifying in ninth and specified what makes it so ‘dangerous’ in his mind. "If you go out on the track with rain tires and it dries, it's not dangerous. It is then a matter of switching to 🐼slicks as early as possible in order to lose as little time as possible. The problem is the slick tires, then it gets dangerous," added the nine-time world champion. .

Read More