It Looks Like the Gresini Team and QJ Motor Have Parted Ways

In the wake of the Manuel Gonzalez on-grid incident from Japan, where the Gresini Moto2 rider wore a hachimaki headband on the grid, it seems like the Gresini Moto2 Team and it’s title sponsor, QJ Motor, have parted ways.

Since the incident unfolded on the Motegi grid, rumours around QJ’s sponsorship of the team have swirled, although this morning it seems as though that question has been answered. All QJ Motor branding that formally adorned the Gresini Moto2 team website has been removed. Additionally, the QJ Motor Racing pages of the title sponsor's website have been taken down. When searching for racing news via the website, you are simply greeted by a message that reads “There’s no more…”

The hachimaki, a Japanese item of clothing that dates back to the samurai era, was heavily used during World War Two by the Japanese military, most notably by kamikaze pilots while flying suicide missions.

The hachimaki, a Japanese item of clothing that dates back to the samurai era, was heavily used during World War Two by the Japanese military, most notably by kamikaze pilots while flying suicide missions.

Japan's invasion of China occurred two years prior to the start of the war in Europe and is recognised by historians as one of the world’s most brutal conflicts. It resulted in the death of around 20 million Chinese citizens.

Gonzalez wearing a hachimaki led to a huge controversy in China, so much so that QJMotor allegedly released a statement calling for the immediate release of Gonzalez with four rounds of the season remaining.

The statement, allegedly from QJMotor said:

"Gonzalez, a racer of the cooperative team Gresini, was invited by the organiser before the start of the race and privately wore the host country's "Bojumaki" decoration and spread it on social platforms.

"Although it was an unintentional act because he was a European player and did not understand Chinese history, this behaviour has hurt the national feelings of Chinese riders and the Chinese people.

"After the incident, Qianjiang Motorcycle immediately conducted solemn negotiations with its partner Gresini team, demanding that the relevant pictures and video content be removed immediately, and that the team immediately terminate its cooperation with the rider."

But Gresini later poured cold water over the legitimacy of the statement by admitting it was checking the authenticity of the comments.

“We know the controversy caused by this statement, whose origin we are currently verifying,” a spokesperson told PaddockGP.

“Nothing has reached us officially, and we are analysing the source. While we understand the disappointment coming from China, whoever wrote this note, we insist that the pilot has no responsibility in this matter. Hachimaki is available throughout Japan."

Gresini has committed to conducting a full investigation into the matter because it appears as though the content within the message does not appear to know the contractual terms.

Now though it seems as though the squabble has been settled, and as far as we can tell the Gresini Moto2 bikes will have a very different look when they roll onto the grid at Phillip Island.

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