MotoGP News: Japanese GP cancelled as overseas races on hold until mid-November

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced MotoGP to go on hiatus since the beginning of March, when it was only able to run the Moto2 and Moto3 races in Qatar after cancelling the MotoGP event.

Since then, six further races have been cut completely for 2020, with the Japanese GP following the British, Australian, Dutch, German and Finnish GPs on the cancellation list.

MotoGP has put plans in place to begin its delayed season with back-to-back races at Jerez on 19 and 26 July pending Spanish government approval.

With MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports keen to run as many races as possible this year, it has decided the season will remain European-based until mid-November, with any flyaway races taking place after that if possible to do so.

Commenting on the loss of the Japanese GP for the first time since 1986, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said: "The MotoGP family is working very hard to be able to restart the racing season and hold as many events as possible, and in the safest way possible.

"For this reason, the FIM and Dorna, in consultation with IRTA [Teams' association] and MSMA [Manufacturers' association], have decided that, until mid-November, MotoGP will remain in Europe to do as many European MotoGP events as we are able to.

"Therefore, overseas events, if at all possible, should be scheduled after mid-November - which would be too late in the year for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan to be held.

"For this reason it has been decided, in consultation with Mobilityland, that the Motul Grand Prix of Japan cannot be held in 2020.

"I very much thank Mobilityland for the support given to MotoGP.

"On behalf of Dorna, I would also like to thank all the fans for their understanding and patience as we wait for the situation to improve.

"We very much look forward to returning to Motegi next year."

Should MotoGP be able to take in any overseas races this season, they will be in any of Malaysia, America, Argentina and Thailand as the remaining flyaway events not cut from the 2020 schedule.

However, doubts over the US Formula 1 GP in Texas make a visit to the Circuit of the Americas for MotoGP unlikely this year.