After much speculation the Dutch TT in Assen has officially been postponed.
Pencilled in as the provisional MotoGP season-opener, the June 28 date came under threat when the Dutch government announced an extension on its nationwide ban of mass gatherings in an attempt to quell the spread of coronavirus.
The round joins Thailand, America, Argentina, Spain, France, Italy, Barcelona and Germany as events all having been postponed. The Qatar Grand Prix was cancelled indefinitely back in March.
If the Dutch TT cannot go ahead this year, it will be the first time since 1949 that a Grand Prix motorcycle race has not been held at Assen, making it the oldest event on the MotoGP calendar.
“Unfortunately, the recent measures announced by the government mean that the 90th TT Assen will be postponed until the autumn or until next season,” read the official statement.
“We are in discussions with [MotoGP] organiser Dorna Sports about this. Tickets that have already been purchased will remain valid.
“Of course, the TT Circuit Assen organisation is very disappointed, but despite that we do fully support the government’s decision. The health of the fans and all other parties involved is our highest priority.”
The new provisional season-opener is the Finnish Grand Prix slated to be contested at the newly-built KymiRing on July 12. But the round is also in doubt as the Covid-19 crisis has meant the circuit cannot be approved by series organisers.