MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports has unveiled energy firm Enel as the title sponsor of the MotoE World Cup, a new all-electric motorcycling championship set to debut in 2019.
The deal, which was announced at a launch event in the Italian capital of Rome by representatives from the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), Dorna and Enel, will also see the company become the sustainable power partner of MotoGP, which the new series will run alongside.
As part of the agreement, Enel’s logo will feature on all MotoE motorcycles and on riders’ leathers. In return, the Italian company will provide smart and fast charging and advanced energy services to power the Energica-manufactured motorbikes.
Enel FIM MotoE World Cup races will feature 18 riders competing over ten laps. Its inaugural season in 2019 will stage five races at five of the European circuits on the MotoGP calendar.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of Dorna Sports, said: “We are satisfied with the commitment and values Enel encapsulates, as they perfectly highlight the principles that the new FIM Enel MotoE World Cup is founded on. We are very proud to work with such a global, innovative and far-reaching company such as Enel and look forward to the collaboration which also involves IRTA, the MotoGP independent teams and the excellent Energica bike. You can be sure that together we can make the cup a resounding success.”
Francesco Starace, chief executive and general manager of the Enel Group, said: “Today’s announcement of our partnership with Dorna underlines once again Enel’s commitment to champion the continued advancement of electric mobility globally.
“Our contribution of industrial solutions to both MotoGP, the leading motorcycle racing series, and MotoE, an exciting new frontier in the world of competitive motorsports, will allow Enel to continue to explore technology innovation in the world of sustainable transportation.”
FIM President Vito Ippolito added: “We are delighted to announce this new Dorna-Enel partnership, with Enel having shown a solid plan in the development of renewable energy generation technologies.
“We are absolutely confident that the partnership between Dorna, Energica and Enel will ensure that within the sports sector, we are contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, especially those related with affordable clean energy.”