• Latest
  • Trending

MotoGP opener cancelled due to coronavirus threat

April 9, 2020

Palmer the one to beat heading to Rally Waitomo this weekend

September 17, 2025

TRS and Formula Pacific cars running under exciting new format for 2025/26 season

September 17, 2025

Nick Cassidy to race with Citroën in Formula E while balancing WEC drive with Peugeot

September 17, 2025

Cormac Buchanan battles through tough Misano weekend in Moto3 rookie season

September 16, 2025

Ryan Yardley and David Musial Jr. claim victory in Porsche Endurance Challenge at Road Atlanta

September 15, 2025

Tough weekend at the Bend for Giltrap and Osborne in Porsche Carrera Cup

September 15, 2025

Scott McLaughlin secures historic podium for JMR at Suzuka 1000km

September 15, 2025

Kiwis – Born to Fly 3. First trailer drops and final phases of shooting commence.

September 15, 2025

Kostecki and Hazelwood win The Bend 500 as Payne delivers podium for Kiwis in Enduro Cup opener

September 14, 2025

Christopher Bell wins as Van Gisbergen’s playoff dream ends at Bristol night race

September 14, 2025

Feeney Earns Pole, Wood and Payne Starting in Top 10 at The Bend

September 13, 2025
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
VelocityNews
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time updates on Kiwi drivers, events and much more!
Subscribe to New Alerts
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

MotoGP opener cancelled due to coronavirus threat

by Josh Revell
April 9, 2020
in International, Motorcycle Racing, News
0

The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and MotoGP have announced that the 2020 MotoGP season opener in Qatar has been cancelled due to the travel restrictions brought about by the coronavirus outbreak.

The first cases of the disease have been confirmed in Qatar in recent days, whilst neighbouring Iran has been one of the worst-hit countries outside of China. With confirmed cases of coronavirus spiking in both Italy and Japan – where most of the teams are based – procedures were implemented from Dorna to grant permission to MotoGP personnel from those countries to access the country.

However, owing to the situation surrounding the disease, the FIM and Dorna have reached the decision to cancel the event. The Moto2 and Moto3 races will go ahead, as both series’ were already in the country for their pre-season testing.

The FIM released a statement reading…


“Due to Qatar travel restrictions brought into force affecting passengers from Italy (amongst other countries), the premier class will not race at Losail.

“FIM, IRTA and Dorna regret to announce the cancellation of all MotoGP class sessions at the Grand Prix of Qatar, including the race.

“The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries. As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past 2 weeks, will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Italy clearly plays a vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel premier class competition.

“As the teams and riders of the Moto2 and Moto3 classes were already in Qatar for the three-day official test at Losail International Circuit earlier this week, the races of both categories will be possible. The lightweight and intermediate classes will therefore compete in their season opener from the 6th to 8th March.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

error:
No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.