All bikes from MotoGP support series MotoE destroyed in Jerez fire - autosport.com

The nascent all-electric MotoE championship has had its whole roster of Energica Ego Corsa bikes destroyed by an overnight fire at Jerez.

The MotoE field has been at the circuit for three days of pre-season testing, but all 18 bikes that had taken to the track on the opening day on Wednesday were burned.

The fire is thought to have began around 12.15am local time, completely engulfing the MotoE paddock structure that hosted the Ego Corsa machines.

"A fire in the newly-built E-paddock has destroyed the majority of material for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup," a statement from the organiser, Dorna, read.

"The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

"Fortunately there have been no injuries. An update will follow in the coming hours regarding the exact causes of the fire and any subsequent changes to the calendar."

The championship was launched last year as a new support category for MotoGP that would put on shorter races of around 10 laps on grand prix weekend Sundays from 2019.

The governing body responsible for MotoE, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme [FIM], also issued a statement via its president, Jorge Viegas: "It is a terrible blow but I am sure that all those working for this exciting new venture will find the strength and motivation to overcome this unfortunate occurrence and make the Championship a success.

"We look forward to putting this behind us and are confident in the future."

A total of 12 teams - including MotoGP outfits Tech3, Pramac, LCR, Avintia, SIC Racing (which runs the Petronas Yamaha outfit) and Gresini (which operates Aprilia's works team) - signed up, and the rider roster includes the likes of Sete Gibernau, Bradley Smith and Xavier Simeon.

The opening day of the Jerez test was topped by Avintia's Eric Granado.

The championship's inaugural five-round season was set to kick off during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at Jerez on May 3-5.

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