Mandatory safety considered for MotoGP

In an effort to improve the safety elements and reduce the amount of injuries suffered by the MotoGP riders Dorna are evaluating advanced protection technologies.

The idea of the special commission is for the introduction of mandatory safety protection with one of the focus points on the agenda is the use of airbag suits and with Alpinestars and Dainese supplying the majority of the MotoGP classes, the mandatory use of the inflation systems in the leathers of riders will reduce injuries to the neck, shoulders and collarbones. All common injuries that the racers are deal with - especially this season.

Also on the agenda is the use of lever guards in a bid to stop crashes caused by the front brake slamming on. The most memorable of these is the first turn pile-up at Catalunya in 2006, when Sete Gibernau tagged the front brake lever of Loris Capirossi, catapulting the Italian over the bars and causing a domino effect bringing multiple riders down at the first corner.

It always appears to be the case that most riders are competing at less than 100% fitness and with the majority of the field seeking surgeries in the month gap between Jerez and Estoril the talks with gear manufacturers comes at the perfect time.

With the compulsory use of these rider protections it will ultimately improve the road safety gear as more manufacturers develop their own systems, offering more products for the street rider.