Moto3, will the punishment inflicted on Deniz Oncu have an effect?

Deniz Oncu will not compete in Moto3 at Misano. Or at the Algarve GP in fact. As we know, the Turk is paying a heavy price, but one deemed necessary. His moves during the Austin race led to a terrible accident. Just the latest in a series during what has been a 2021 season to forget.

Or perhaps a 2021 to remember, so that certain events don’t reoccur. We have seen some ferocious battles all year long, reminiscent of what we see in Supersport 300 races, but is this now behind us? We hope so.

But how can we be sure? We’ll have to wait for the next races and will already get some idea come Sunday. Oncu pays the price, but will it have an effect? If we’re honest, it wasn’t just the number 53 Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider who overdid it at the start of the American race and this is a cause for concern.

The one who pays is often the only one to learn. We hope we’re wrong

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This is why the law punishes - to ensure that the individual in question doesn’t repeat the crime. If only this were true in real life, we’d have a lot less dishonest folk around. It can work in the racing world, not always of course, but only time will tell in this case.

When Deniz Oncu returns for the last round of the season at Valencia, he’ll have the eyes of the stewards panel on him. And not just them. But, without naming names, there are also other riders who have a less than glowing reputation.

If a rider has been left at home, it means something needed to be done. And quickly. To him, sure, but likewise for other riders. So we’ll see if the punishment inflicted on one of Kenan Sofuoglu’s pupils will be effective or not. When it’s time to race, you race. But we hope, that beyond the adrenaline, there’s also an abundance of common sense.

Translated by Heather Watson

MotoGP: a heartfelt tribute to Simoncelli and Gresini at Misano