Japanese MotoGP at Motegi latest to be cancelled

The 2020 Japanese MotoGP at TwinRing Motegi has become the latest MotoGP event to be cancelled due to anticipated difficulties in getting around international travel bans.

Though the event wasn’t due to take place until October 16-18, organisers are expecting the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis to linger on to prevent teams and personnel from being able to make the overseas trip to Japan.

The first time since 1986 that the Japanese MotoGP round won’t feature on the calendar, it is a blow to the locally based manufacturers of Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.

“Mobilityland has been preparing for this year’s MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix, however the situations in Japan and Europe are unpredictable and the extension of the international travel ban is expected,” Kaoru Tanaka, President, Mobilityland Corporation said. 

“As a result of our discussions with Dorna, the managerial body of the series, we agreed that we have no choice but to cancel the Japanese GP in order to complete the season.

“We understand that this is a great disappointment for fans and all related parties. We thank you for your understanding.”

The Japanese MotoGP is the third event – together with the British and Australian rounds – to be cancelled in recent days.

The flurry of new announcements is seen as an indication that Dorna is preparing to reveal a brand-new schedule in the coming days, one that will be predominately held on mainland Europe so as to allow for easier logistics by road.

So far seven rounds have now been cancelled entirely, together with Qatar, Germany, Netherlands and Finland.

The season is expected to start on July 19 at Jerez