MotoGP riders could get what they want, and fast, if only they would stand together

'Nobody listens to us anyway, so it doesn't matter what we think.' 

That hybrid quote serves to sum up the kind of attitude you get from the MotoGP riders when you ask them about assorted off-track matters. Most recently, this defeated spirit came out to play when news of the new 2027 format first emerged at the Austrian Grand Prix last month.

It's a strange notion when you think about it. These are the stars without which there would be no show at all. The nature of their job means not that many are waiting in the wings. If nobody is listening to these most essential of players, they must be something of a pushover.

MotoGP's main spokesman, Carlos Ezpeleta, has pushed back at that apathy of late, saying the MGPSEG's (formerly Dorna) door was always open and that, anyway, the teams should be the ones canvassing rider views. Given how few riders even bother going to the safety commission meetings, he has a point. 

Then again, some riders used to attend such meetings but began to stay away when the frustrations of group decision-making became apparent. More on those in a moment. But the general vibe, rightly or wrongly, is that talking is a waste of time. 

In recent weeks, however, at least one rider has broken out with something new. He has decided actions may achieve more than words. And what makes that significant is that the rider in question has clout like no other: Marc Marquez. 

From missing promotional events to subdued celebrations to skipping kart races, Marquez has not been afraid to push back of late. That seemed to have sparked a reaction from authority in Indonesia: more on that later, too.

Fan commitments are becoming a bone of contention for the riders

Photo by: Mark Wieland / Getty Images

Judging by the riders' comments, most understand exactly where Marquez is coming from even if they themselves don't feel quite so empowered to take a stand. While a GOAT candidate tends to feel somewhat more secure in their job, regular folk worry about getting in trouble. 

But as Marquez brings the issue of promotional appearances into the spotlight alongside the long-flogged horses of event formats and safety, you get the feeling something may be brewing among the riders. Even if only to shut up journalists and their endless questions about a union.

Unions aren't just for MotoGP riders - but they're tricky for anyone

While MotoGP is an exclusive little industry, riders taking a stand is something a lot of ordinary working folk can identify with as artificial intelligence hovers with job-stealing menace. People who never gave a thought to the dynamics of group action and unionisation are beginning to ponder exactly those topics.  

Worker protection laws passed in California earlier this month show that unions and/or the fear of angry unemployed mobs can still shape the playing field. But it's natural that most people worry about joining the ranks of any resistance. They may be right in considering themselves a lot more replaceable than a MotoGP specialist, and inclined to think that protesting AI will only put them at the top of the list to be swapped out for a machine.

It's possible that the riders (or at least Marquez) and organisers may trade blows over promotional appearances in the weeks to come. Ultimately, however, the consequences of that are only felt by those paying for seats at the circuit

But fear is not the only thing that stops groups standing together to achieve a given outcome. There's apathy, inertia and the fact that this month's rent is usually the more pressing challenge. And, for many, there's the simple reality that they don't have the time or bandwidth. 

Then, if you'll bear with me for another paragraph before I get back to MotoGP again, there's the matter of competitive advantage. If XYZ go on strike, for example, ABC might be inclined to sit tight and earn brownie points with the bosses. There might be a promotion if the rest get fired! In a large enough group, there will always be those who prefer to look out for number one. More so if there's a feeling that bargaining power is low anyway. 

Why a MotoGP union is a special challenge

Can the full grid of riders agree on a collective way forward?

Photo by: Qian Jun / MB Media via Getty Images

One the one hand, unionisation should be a no-brainer for elite sportspeople like the MotoGP riders. They must surely be aware that they cannot all be summarily dismissed, regardless of what contracts might say. That's thanks to the simple fact that taking charge of one of these 1000cc motorcycles is exceedingly specialised work.

It only takes a handful of injuries to the regulars to remind us that the substitutes' bench isn't all that busy a place. Look at Honda: this mighty corporate is scratching its head to find a test rider for its big-money 850cc project. They can count the number of people qualified to ride MotoGP bikes on the fingers of an average family's hands.

Also, the numbers are more manageable. You might never get all of California's workers onto the same page, but surely a group of just 22 can work their way through some of the challenges mentioned above?

You'd think so, but weighted against that is the fact that the competitive advantage thing is that much more intense among men whose entire lives centre around winning. If XYZ were to go on strike in MotoGP, ABC would be tempted to start working out how many points they could gain as a result. Especially if they've qualified on the front row.

MotoGP riders aren't immune to using time pressure as an excuse either. Enea Bastianini did just that at Mandalika, basically saying there wasn't the bandwidth for unions when you were tied up with trying to be the best at said specialised work.

It's also possible, though not a given by any means, that some riders know they have a job many would give an arm for. (Come to think of it, Marquez has pretty much done just that.) It's not nice being labelled as spoiled brats, which is guaranteed to happen in comments sections up and down the internet if riders begin pushing back harder - particularly if they try to get out of signing autographs. 

While those throwing barbs online should probably be quiet unless they've done 27 MotoGP laps of tropical Mandalika in a leather suit, a fear of such criticism would be understandable. 

Could the new fines be a tipping point?

The Hero Walk is among the marketing tasks riders are beginning to question

We've established that unionisation or group action isn't as easy as it sounds, even when the workers can't actually be sent packing. But there's always a tipping point at which people cry enough and find that they do, after all, have time for action if the matter becomes personal, emotional or important enough. If you're not aware of the ongoing daily 'flamingo protest' in Albania, there's a fine example.

When news of €5,000 fines for riders missing Sunday promotional gigs landed in team inboxes at Mandalika, riders were understandably not impressed. The idea is clearly to show the riders that getting big ideas will cost them - but could the organisers playing hardball be the very thing that gets them together?

After all, if you want personal, emotional and important, throwing money into the mix is a great way to achieve it. Money, let's not forget, has become a measure of respect like no other. Elite sportspeople aren't immune to that.

A union would still take some initiative, time and cat-herding to do the setting-up. A little sacrifice in a world that's all about snatching every edge you can

Oh, and if the issue of promo commitments wasn't enough, Mandalika also served as a reminder that more pressure wouldn't hurt when it comes to safety issues. That came in the form of a recurrence of certain gravel trap issues that were highlighted a year ago.

How far could rider power go?

It's possible that the riders (or at least Marquez) and organisers may trade blows over promotional appearances in the weeks to come. Ultimately, however, the consequences of that are only felt by those paying for seats at the circuit. And that's a fraction of the audience. 

If riders could overcome all of the obstacles and take a united stand whilst the live TV broadcast is running, that's when things would get really spicy. That's when any demands would hurtle to the top of the priority list.

The most extreme case you can imagine is the broadcast cutting pre-race intro sequence to the sight of all the riders walking off the grid. No show until demands are met, that sort of thing. Who would have the bargaining power then, do you reckon? How many minutes would it take for agreements to be reached?  

Imagine Carmelo Ezpeleta's face if the riders staged some kind of strike...

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images

It's a fascinating thought experiment but nobody wants it to come to that. Nor should it need to. It should be enough for the riders to flex their muscles threateningly, showing that they know they're the show. 

Even sitting out of a few minutes of a practice session en masse might ruffle a few feathers and offer a hint of how far the riders could go if they don't get what they want.

Any such action needs a formal structure for legitimacy. The competitive environment makes it essential that a 'neutral' leads the union. That person, or people, would have to do a lot of the legwork, planning and talking because, yes, the riders do have races and championships on their plates. 

A riders' union need not demand too much of the competitors once it is up and running. It's about finding a leader with a voice, time and an interest in making things better. Casey Stoner springs to mind right away. A professional from outside the bubble could be invited to help. Or both. 

The only trouble with that would covering costs. Ideally, the riders would cover it themselves, but it's hard to imagine that happening in practice. But these are people with big platforms in a big-money world: surely their managers can help swing a deal?

So yes, a union would still take some initiative, time and cat-herding to do the setting-up. A little sacrifice in a world that's all about snatching every edge you can. But maybe, just maybe, we're getting nearer the time when more riders think it's worth putting a few hours into the matter...

Stoner is a man who knows all about balancing fan work and chasing world titles

Photo by: Ducati Corse