Germany returns to 2020 WorldSBK calendar at Oschersleben

One of motorcycling’s best-loved Superbike venues is returning to the 2020 WorldSBK Championship calendar after it was confirmed Oschersleben will be on the schedule.

The venue hosted WorldSBK in 2000 when it replaced the soon-to-be-revamped Hockenheimring before dropping off the schedule again in 2004 in favour of the Lausitzring and then Nurburgring but is well-known in Superbike circles for hosting a round of the Endurance World Championship.

Located in east Germany 30 miles from the city of Magdeburg – between Berlin and Hanover - Oschersleben is a well-used venue for various German domestic series’, with its fast, flowing nature making it a popular draw for riders.

Contracted until 2022, it will be the first German round of WorldSBK since 2017 when a brief return to Lausitzring came to a conclusion at the end of 2017.

The 2020 WorldSBK Oschersleben race will take place on July 31 to August 2nd.

“I am very happy to see the FIM Superbike World Championship return to Oschersleben, it is a place I have fond memories of and some good results,” said Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla.

“This area of Germany as enthusiastic about motorcycle racing and providing the fans with a world-class spectacle such as WorldSBK is an honour. I look forward to the round in front of the German audience and can’t wait to see the racing action unfold in Germany for the first time in three years

WorldSBK tightens up calendar with Oschersleben return

Though WorldSBK is yet to confirm its 2020 calendar, this is already the second alternative venue to be announced ahead of the new season.

Following on from the Circuit de Catalunya – which will host WorldSBK for the first time next season – Germany’s return means at least two current venues are due to drop off the schedule as communications confirm next year will be contested over 13 events.

One is expected to be Thailand after MotoGP assumed its place in the annual calendar with a March event, though it remains to be seen which the other will be.

Interestingly, the late July/early August date for this suggests WorldSBK is committing to tightening up its maligned long summer break. This year the break between action ran for seven weeks following Laguna Seca on the weekend of July 13/14 to Portimao on 7/8 September.

While this means it could run deeper into September - the Circuit de Catalunya runs from September 18-20 – many would hope it is coming down to no more than five weeks this time.