UPDATE: MotoGP teams reverse media ban for Sepang Shakedown test
UPDATE: After the 'controversy' caused by the decison to ban media from the Sepang Shakedown test, the five MotoGP manufacturers have now agreed to allow media into the circuit, but not the pit lane.
The shakedown test in Sepang, Malaysia, from February 5-7 will feature test riders and rookie Augusto Fernandez.
Some of the five manufacturers had demanded that no journalists would be allowed to report on the three-day event.
“The shakedown will not be open to media,” a statement had read. “Media will not be allowed in the Paddock , Media Center, Pit Lane or any other areas of the track. The official test will be open for media from February 10-12.
“Teams requested this measure last year to IRTA and they told us today.”
It later emerged that KTM and Aprilia did not requested a ban. The original position of the other manufacturers is not clear, but the ban was subsequently dropped.
The riders at the shakedown test include:
- Augusto Fernandez
- Dani Pedrosa
- Cal Crutchlow
- Michele Pirro
- Stefan Bradl
- Lorenzo Savadori
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
