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The hotly anticipated MotoGP season opener at Qatar has suffered a major setback due to the Coronavirus epidemic. FIM, IRTA and Dorna have regretfully announced the cancellation of the premier class race which was due for the 8th of March at the Losail International Circuit. Moto2 and Moto3 will go on as planned though.
The opening race of the 2020 season was one of the most anticipated ones in recent years. The trends at the Qatar test went on to show what a hotly-contested season 2020 was shaping up to be. At least 5-6 riders looked all set to challenge for the first step of the podium. But, we'd like to add inevitably, the racing has also fallen prey to the Coronavirus epidemic.
Escalating travel restrictions in response to the Coronavirus outbreak is the main reason for the cancellation of the MotoGP class race. But Moto2 and Moto3 will go ahead according to the schedule as all riders and teams are already in Qatar, having concluded their final pre-season test at the same Losail circuit earlier yesterday.
Previously, MotoGP had arranged an exemption from some of Qatar's increasing entry restrictions for passengers from Italy and Japan. But Qatar announced its first recorded case of Coronavirus on Saturday and therefore, forced to impose a blanket two-week quarantine on any passengers that have recently visited Italy.
Statement from FIM:
'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 the 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. The same will apply to the Asia Talent Cup, which will have two races during the Qatar Grand Prix as originally planned. Stay tuned for a revised schedule.'
This announcement also puts the following rounds of MotoGP at risk as well. Most notably, the Thai GP which was to take place from March 20-22 can also be postponed. The American GP (COTA) and the Argentina GP is also seemingly at risk. It all depends on entry restrictions (or a ban on large gatherings) imposed by the Thai, US and Argentinean governments.
Thailand is keen for Buriram to go ahead to help its tourism industry albeit with 'rigorous screening' of spectators and teams, but might the US (69 Coronavirus cases) take a dim view of passengers that have recently been in either Italy (1,128 cases) or Thailand (42). Argentina is yet to record a case.
Logistics could also be an issue, with some personnel from Italian teams Ducati and Aprilia unable to enter Qatar to help pack their equipment (already at Losail following the MotoGP test) and send it on to Thailand. As such, it would not be a shock if the first MotoGP race is not until the start of the European season at Jerez, due to be held in early May. Unless the event is moved forwards to fill a void in the revised calendar...
It is assumed that any Grand Prix would be immediately shut down by the authorities if a case of coronavirus was discovered among the crowd or paddock during an event, but the scale of the resulting quarantine is unclear.
Although no mention was made of the Qatar World Superbike round, since it is only one week after the MotoGP it seems inevitable that it will be (at best) postponed.
The opening race of the 2020 season was one of the most anticipated ones in recent years. The trends at the Qatar test went on to show what a hotly-contested season 2020 was shaping up to be. At least 5-6 riders looked all set to challenge for the first step of the podium. But, we'd like to add inevitably, the racing has also fallen prey to the Coronavirus epidemic.
Escalating travel restrictions in response to the Coronavirus outbreak is the main reason for the cancellation of the MotoGP class race. But Moto2 and Moto3 will go ahead according to the schedule as all riders and teams are already in Qatar, having concluded their final pre-season test at the same Losail circuit earlier yesterday.
Previously, MotoGP had arranged an exemption from some of Qatar's increasing entry restrictions for passengers from Italy and Japan. But Qatar announced its first recorded case of Coronavirus on Saturday and therefore, forced to impose a blanket two-week quarantine on any passengers that have recently visited Italy.
Statement from FIM:
'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 the 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. The same will apply to the Asia Talent Cup, which will have two races during the Qatar Grand Prix as originally planned. Stay tuned for a revised schedule.'
This announcement also puts the following rounds of MotoGP at risk as well. Most notably, the Thai GP which was to take place from March 20-22 can also be postponed. The American GP (COTA) and the Argentina GP is also seemingly at risk. It all depends on entry restrictions (or a ban on large gatherings) imposed by the Thai, US and Argentinean governments.
Thailand is keen for Buriram to go ahead to help its tourism industry albeit with 'rigorous screening' of spectators and teams, but might the US (69 Coronavirus cases) take a dim view of passengers that have recently been in either Italy (1,128 cases) or Thailand (42). Argentina is yet to record a case.
Logistics could also be an issue, with some personnel from Italian teams Ducati and Aprilia unable to enter Qatar to help pack their equipment (already at Losail following the MotoGP test) and send it on to Thailand. As such, it would not be a shock if the first MotoGP race is not until the start of the European season at Jerez, due to be held in early May. Unless the event is moved forwards to fill a void in the revised calendar...
It is assumed that any Grand Prix would be immediately shut down by the authorities if a case of coronavirus was discovered among the crowd or paddock during an event, but the scale of the resulting quarantine is unclear.
Although no mention was made of the Qatar World Superbike round, since it is only one week after the MotoGP it seems inevitable that it will be (at best) postponed.
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