MotoE: Fire destroys entire fleet of electric bikes ahead of championship

A major fire has destroyed the entire roster of electric bikes ahead of the MotoE World Cup – the electric spin off of MotoGP.

The blaze ripped through the newly-built paddock after the first day of preseason testing in Jerez, Spain, with all the 18 bikes caught up in the damage.

MotoE executive director Nicolas Goubert confirmed a prototype charging station caused the inferno that “destroyed the majority of material.”

“Fortunately there have been no injuries,” a MotoGP statement read. The fire is thought to have broken out at 12.15am local time at the Circuito de Jerez.

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The all-electric series was planned to serve as a supplement to MotoGP and race on the same weekend, with 12 teams signing up for the MotoE World Cup last year.

The entire field had attended the test day ahead of the championship’s scheduled start at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 5.

MotoE confirmed the championship will still take place in 2019 but a revised calendar will be announced in due course. However, the competition will not race at the Circuito de Jerez.

Formula E 2018/19 —

The 2018/19 Formula E season proved to be a thriller, with the exciting new Gen2 cars boasting top speeds of 280km/h. Eight different drivers won the first eight races in a season that went down to the wire.

Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne became the first double champion in the sport's history, defending the title he won last season thanks to three race victories.

Robin Frijns won his second E-Prix of the season, storming to victory in the final race of 2018/19 in New York.

Former world champion Sebastian Buemi claimed his first victory of 2018/19 at the first of a double-header in New York.

Jean-Eric Vergne strengthened his grip on the title with his third victory of the season in Bern, extending his lead to 38 points at the top of the championship.

Berlin, race 10 —

An ecstatic Lucas Di Grassi celebrated in style after dominating the Berlin E-Prix to close the gap at the top of the drivers' championship.

Formula E finally got its first repeat winner of the season in race nine, as Jean-Eric Vergne led from pole to finish to secure his second victory of the season.

Dutch driver Robin Frijns claimed victory in Paris on the day his country celebrated its national King's Day. The Envision Virgin Racing man was the eighth different driver to win the eight races so far this season.

Mitch Evans victory at the Rome ePrix was Jaguar's first in motorsport since 1991. The Kiwi is the only driver to score points in the seven races so far this season.

Sanya, race six —

Jean-Eric Vergne put an end to a miserable run of form that saw him go pointless for three straight races by taking victory in Sanya, the first time the championship had visited the south China city

Hong Kong, race five —

Edoardo Mortara backed up his third place in Mexico by claiming top spot in Hong Kong, Venturi's first ever victory in Formula E. Sam Bird had initially crossed the line in first place but after a four-hour investigation, was demoted for smashing into the back of race leader Andre Lotterer.

Mexico City, race four —

Former world champion Lucas Di Grassi celebrates his victory at the Mexico ePrix, arguably the most thrilling race in the sport's five seasons. Race leader Pascal Wehrlein's battery died just meters from the line, allowing Di Grassi to swoop past on the inside and snatch victory.

Santiago, race three —

On a sweltering afternoon in Santiago, Chile -- the hottest ePrix in history -- Sam Bird stormed to victory at the Parque O'Higgins Circuit. After finishing third overall last season, the Briton will have hopes of coming out on top this time around.

Marrakesh, race two —

Jerome d'Ambrosio followed up his podium finish in Saudi Arabia with victory in Marrakesh -- his third in Formula E -- to take an early lead at the top of the championship.

Ad Diriyah, race one —

The season got off to a thrilling start in Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, as Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa edged out Jean-Eric Vergne and Jerome d'Ambrosio to claim the second Formula E win of his career.

The 2018/19 Formula E season

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The bikes used for MotoE are adapted from the standard MotoGP bike design, much like what Formula E has done with its race car.

“We already started talking to Energica (company who build the bikes) to find out what the potential is to rebuild 18 bikes, because we lost 22 bikes in that fire, all parts and everything,” former MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi, who has been helping MotoE with its electric bike development, told CNN.

“For our side we think we don’t want to cancel anything but we have to find out if we can start the championship in Jerez (May 5).”