Gossip: MotoGP to keep grid girls

-“Like removing the miners from the mine” is how Vicky Valdazo, manging director of a Madrid-based model agency, described Formula 1’s decision to stop using grid girls. MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta has confirmed he will not follow F1’s move to drop grid girls (Marca)

-Marc Marquez has picked up his gold medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit award for his achievements as a six-time motorcycle world champion (AS)

-Carmelo Ezpeleta was also honoured by receiving the “Casco de Oro” for his services to Spanish and International motorcycle racing (Speedweek)

-Johann Zarco wants to copy Jorge Lorenzo’s riding style sticking with the 2016 Yamaha YZF-M1 ahead of the new MotoGP season (GPone.com)

-Forward Racing has unveiled its 2018 livery and riders Stefano Manzi and Eric Granado in Milan ahead of the Moto2 world championship (MotoGP.com)