When Dorna and GoPro began launched a partnership to provide behind-the-scenes access into the world of MotoGP->ke5142, it probably had something like this in mind.

Now I’ve seen my fair share of behind-the-scenes videos in MotoGP, but I’ll be the first to say that I haven’t seen it from the perspective of a race marshal. It’s often said that referees are at their best when nobody talks about them, but watching this video made me realize that race marshals don’t fall under the same category.

These people are tasked to be the eyes of the entire race, chronicling everything that happens for the entire weekend. We see them dressed up in those bright orange uniforms and sometimes, we don’t even notice them at all.

But every time something eventful happens, marshals are always the first on the scene. We see it pretty clearly in the video as a marshal wearing a GoPro camera sprints to a rider who had just crashed. They’re the ones that are responsible for securing the bike and more importantly, making sure that the rider is ok. Should there be a serious crash, marshals are the ones who assist EMTs in helping a fallen rider.

It’s far from a glamorous job and often times, people don’t always give them their just dues. But this video shows just how important marshals are in any race. You can make a case that doing all the dirty work is an unheralded part of the job.

But for those who understand MotoGP and the entire racing industry, we know just how important marshals are in keeping everything in order.

Whatever needs to be done, they’re the ones doing it. That fact alone makes them some of the most invaluable people in any race, including MotoGP.

Why it matters

Imagine participating in a race where there are no marshals. Can you picture how chaotic that must be?

Nobody’s going to assist you if you need any kind of help. Nobody’s going to make sure that the track you’re racing in is in tremendous shape. Most of all, nobody’s going to provide the kind of every-second assistance these men and women are capable of giving.

Sure, they don’t get nearly the same amount of credit as they should. But that doesn’t mean they’re not important to the overall success of a race.

This video paints a great picture on how important marshals are to a MotoGP race. It’s also proof that as fans, maybe it’s time to give these guys their just due.

They won’t win any awards but that’s not why they do what they do. They’re in it to serve and help whoever it needs that it needs assistance and they do it without complaint or apprehension.

So, yeah, thank you marshals, for keeping every race as safe as possible. And when the time comes that a rider needs your assistance, it’s nice to know that you can spring to action like the professionals that you are.