Infront Moto Racing President Giuseppe Luongo and his team at Infront had worked hard to get the 2020 MXGP and MX2 championships run. After one change after another due to the COVID-19 19 pandemic, the Infront team presented a championship that eventually become one of the most dramatic and exciting in recent years.

Now, as we all settle into our winter hibernation, the Infront team continue to work hard to make sure that the 2021 season is as normal as possible, with the threat of COVID-19 19 still clearly hanging above us all.

News that a vaccine could be ready for distribution as early as next month, and at least on the market in early 2021 it seems the April starting date of the 2021 championship would be safe. Take into account the opening round in Oman, will happen with or without COVID-19 19, then we can feel confident the following rounds will be a lot safter to go ahead than these final rounds in 2020.

We sat down with Mr Luongo and talked about how he see’s the 2021 series, with the facilities he has supplied and what changes might be made as the year goes ahead.

It seems now that the British GP will happen but is first reserve you could say if one of the original venues doesn’t happen. Also the move from Maggiora to Imola for the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations comes after the Maggiora area continue to make it difficult to bring the race back to that legendary circuit, and while the same promotional group for the Maggiora event will now head to Imola, where a massive crowd will easily be catered for. 

MXlarge: Firstly, 2020 was a tough year, and congratulations for getting it all done and the champions all being crowned. I know financially it wasn't a success, but you must be very proud that your team were able to organize the championship and the sport didn’t sit dormant for a year?

Giuseppe Luongo: Yes, I am very proud of us all, we saved this year and above all we saved a lot of jobs.  If we had stopped the Championship it would have been a catastrophe, not only sport wise but especially for all the jobs and all the partners involved.  The difficult moment unified all the parties and together we really made a great team working with the FIM, teams, manufacturers, organisers, partners and media, and we succeeded in something that the majority thought impossible.

MXLarge: Obviously the current situation with COVID-19 means making the calendar for 2021 isn't an easy job. Have you had to place some countries up earlier than others because there is more chance of those rounds going ahead if things don't improve enough from the virus?

Giuseppe Luongo: The 2021 calendar is still the continuation of 2020 and the COVID situation, therefore we are starting later and finishing later, and we start in places where we believe the COVID situation should be better under control and then hopefully by spring the vaccine will be being used and things will return to normality.

MXLarge: It seems a vaccine is already prepared and hopefully will be supplied to many countries at the end of this year and early 2021. Do you have a good feeling about the outcome of this, and have you had contact with medical people who have positive advice for this happening?

Giuseppe Luongo: Yes, the vaccine is well on its way, there are at least 2 companies very advanced with it and it seems that by the end of the year / beginning of 2021 it will be ready to be used by the public.  I am not a doctor to advise people to take or not take it, but I do believe this is great news and I will personally take it, we want to get out of this nightmare and to do that we all have to unify and work as one without polemics.

MXlarge: I imagine Oman will be a similar experience to Qatar, which was a really popular stop with the weather and facility. What type of facility is it there and I was told Greg Atkins will make the circuit? Can you tell me more about this event?

Giuseppe Luongo: Yes, it will be in line with the Grand Prix of Qatar in the past.  We have to build the facilities and the track, and it will be fantastic as we have the strong support of the government of Oman.  Oman is an amazing country and I invite everyone coming to the Grand Prix of Oman to make the most of it and take a bit of a holiday there, it’s beautiful, unique, safe and with a warm climate and warm hospitality.

MXlarge: The middle east has been mentioned for some time, and I can imagine it is a long process to get such an event organized. What do the people in Oman find attractive about MXGP and are they looking at this being a long-term event?

Giuseppe Luongo: Yes, when dealing in the Middle East you need time and patience, it’s in their culture and it’s something I like and respect a lot.  Many love the off-road and they like going into the desert with their bike, quad or 4x4 to enjoy themselves.  They are interested in MXGP for the wonderful show our sport offers, but also for the interest and media coverage MXGP offers them so it’s a win-win situation for all: to bring the sport and MXGP culture to the country to show to its people and in the meantime to make the promotion of their beautiful country all around the world via our media.

MXlarge: Is there any word from the government of Oman for allowing the GP paddock into the country if things remain as they were for this year?

Giuseppe Luongo: The goal is to hold the Grand Prix event even if COVID 19 is still around, and with 2020 we have proven our professionalism with respecting the protocol, but naturally under the condition we are able to travel in and out of Europe, but now is the time to think positively and with the progress the medical system is doing with the vaccine I am very optimistic.

MXlarge: The calendar is a nice mix of old school and newer circuits. We have spoken before how important it is that the history of our sport is kept, but also know that many old school circuits are being closed. How important are these road racing facilities for our future?

Giuseppe Luongo: Both are important.  The road race circuits with its facilities are much easier for all the accommodation but we have to build the track, the permanent MX circuits are necessary for the training of the riders and to keep the roots of our sport.  The perfect combination would be a permanent MX track within a road race structure, in this way there would be all the infrastructure and the riders could practise during the week and there would not be the cost of having to build the track for the Grand Prix event and then to take it away and clean everything again.  This would also help with all the problems linked to the environment because those venues in general have the necessary licences.  Naturally we want to continue with the maximum possible of traditional MX tracks, our sport is always looking to the future while maintaining a big respect of its roots.

MXLarge: The Finnish and Russian rounds at Iitti-KymiRing and Igora Drive are both new, and both at road racing facilities, within a week of each other. Have these circuits been designed yet, and do you have more information about these two rounds?

Giuseppe Luongo: Yes, KimiRing in Finland was already on the 2020 calendar but unfortunately due to COVID it was not possible this year, and it’s been more than 1 year we have been in negotiations with Igora Drive in Russia.  Both Finland and Russia are ready and eager to welcome MXGP, they will be 2 outstanding events in special venues, and we will be going there in a great moment of the year for these regions.  Don’t forget it’s already been several years we have been going to Russia and it’s always a wonderful event, and naturally the National Federation will bring all its experience to Igora Drive.

MXlarge: The Monster Energy Motocross of Nations will go ahead at Imola and not Maggoria as originally though. Why is this?

Giuseppe Luongo: The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be going to Imola for a question of space and authorisation.  At the last MXoN in Maggiora there was a huge public success and on the backstage the Organizer and us had a lot of problems, the first being the space within the venue and all around, and unfortunately Maggiora simply doesn’t have the space needed.  The second problem were the local political authorities, instead of supporting the event they created many obstacles and problems.  At Imola it is the opposite, the venue has all the space we need, we are able to build a fantastic track, we are able to welcome all the fans and offer them great visibility of the track and comfort and in addition the local political authorities are very supportive of the event are happy to help the organizer and us - and all this makes a big difference.

MXLarge: The MXoN will be run before the championship ends, is that just a precaution if the season is similar to this year and is it possible it will end the season as was always the case if the COVID-19 cases drop dramatically?

Giuseppe Luongo: The calendar which has been presented is for sure for a COVID-free situation, so if the pandemic is under control this will be the calendar, and we cannot make the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, the most important race of the year, at the end of the Championship in November, it is too great of a risk in terms of weather conditions, and we cannot start the Championship earlier in order to finish in September for the risk of still have COVID-19 present and on top of that the riders need  a rest after finishing so late in the year this year.  Of course, if things return to normal in 2021 then for 2022, we will also return to the normal timing of the calendar, so starting in February and finishing at the end of September.

MXLarge: Is a British GP a possibility if another Grand Prix is cancelled?

Giuseppe Luongo: MXGP of GB and Steve Dixon are always and will always be a part of the MXGP world, they are always on the first row and I believe in the end they will be on the calendar as usual.