NEW DELHI: The inaugural MotoGP Bharat has run into troubled waters after visa-related issues cropped up on Tuesday. Many riders and paddock personnel, including six-time premier class world champion Marc Marquez, were scheduled to fly to India on Tuesday but couldn't board their respective flights having not received the necessary visa.
Referring to the chaotic situation, Marquez posted a picture of him on his mountain bike and wrote on his social media handle: "Flight delayed due to lack of visa for India, so we are going to pedal for a little while."
The Spaniard will now be able to board the flight to India after his visa arrives. The first practice session of MotoGP Bharat is scheduled for Friday, while the second practice and the two qualification races as well as the Sprint Race are going to be held on Saturday. The main race is slated for Sunday.
Marquez and his Repsol Honda teammate Joan Mir were scheduled to visit the Honda India factory in Manesar on Wednesday, but now that visit too stands cancelled. Like Marquez, Mir is still in his home country Spain. "The riders are yet to reach India due to visa issues. So there was no option left but to cancel the event," a source said.
A Moto3 rider, Filippo Farioli of Italy, also has had a similar experience. "Unfortunately, the visa to enter India has not been issued by the government yet. Unfortunately, I have not been able to leave. We'll see how the situation evolves," Farioli posted on his social media handle.
TOI also got to know that some Moto3 and Moto2 team members were also unable to travel on their originally booked flights due to delay in visas. More than 2000 people, including riders, paddock personnel, team authorities, and other world championship professionals were slated to receive visas for the event.
According to a source, the "unsavoury situation" has developed due to the agencies that were put in charge to make the relevant arrangements for a seamless issuance of visas.
"There are European as well as Indian agencies involved in the entire process. There was a tender process involving agencies of repute, but the agencies selected goofed up. This resulted in complete chaos. By the time the problem got noticed, things had already become late," a source told TOI.
The organisers of MotoGP Bharat also named as Grand Prix of India, came up with a statement later in the day.
"We regret the unforeseen delays in the visa issuance process. Please understand that this is not a reflection on our dedication and hard work. It's an unforeseen technical glitch that is part and parcel of the challenges faced during inaugural events like this. We are happy to announce that many visas have already been processed, with many more on the horizon. Our teams are tirelessly working around the clock to ensure that every participant, from riders to technical officials, receives their visa promptly. We recognize the significance of a smooth experience for everyone involved and request patience and cooperation. We are fully committed to ensuring that all race personnel arrive in India as planned, safe and sound," the statement read.
