2021 Isle of Man TT cancelled due to COVID-19 uncertainties
The 2021 Isle of Man TT has been cancelled due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the development of the COVID-19 pandemic

The 2020 TT was cancelled due to the pandemic, marking the first time the event hasn't been held since 2001, when an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the UK forced it to be scrapped.
The TT followed the cancellation of the majority of national road races in Ireland and the international North West 200, as well as the Macau GP due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
The Ulster GP in Northern Ireland was also cancelled, but as a result of a financial crisis with event organisers, following a record low turnout for the 2019 event.
Dates for the 2021 TT were unveiled not long after the 2020 edition was cancelled.
But, with continued uncertainty surrounding the development of COVID-19, despite the imminent arrival of vaccines, organisers have taken the decision to cancel the 2021 event.

Manx enterprise minister Laurence Skelly said: "Be patient with us here, we are going to have a TT that will come back bigger and better than ever.
"However, those who are booked [for 2021] I want you to be patient with your accommodation provider and your tour operators whilst they work through this.
"We are providing a support package for them to allow them to hopefully roll on their bookings, or if they have to refund it we are providing loan facilities as well.
"So do bear with us fans, because as I say TT will be back, but we need to bear that in mind."
Skelly added that a decision to delay the TT to another date was considered, but the scaling up of certain infrastructure and the complexities of accommodating two weeks of racing and an influx of tourism for the local population made this impossible.
"We evaluated all possible options including moving the TT to a date later in the year," he said.
"But there are complexities and risks, including scaling up of certain infrastructure and critical delivery elements of the TT, as well as existing resident and visitor travel in late August, which would cause further disruption to thousands of people."

Skelly also pointed towards the risk involved in facilitating the thousands of volunteers needed to run the TT, as well as the thousands of fans who make the annual pilgrimage, was too great in current times.
Though vaccines to combat COVID-19 are nearing mass production and distribution, no timeline for when this will take place has been given.
This is the first time since the Second World War the TT has been cancelled in consecutive years.
No decision has been made regarding the Classic TT and the Manx Grand Prix, which run in August.

Previous article
TT winner Hickman joins new FHO team for 2021
Next article
Hickman "surprised" Isle of Man TT cancellation call came so early

About this article
Series | TT |
Author | Lewis Duncan |
2021 Isle of Man TT cancelled due to COVID-19 uncertainties
Trending
How the world's fastest road racer is helping Britain's motorcycling future
Britain has dominated motorcycle racing for three decades, but its representation at the top table is in decline. Looking to provide fresh energy and opportunity in the junior ranks, the world's fastest road racer Peter Hickman may have found a solution
The far-reaching impact of cancelling motorcycling's greatest race
The coronavirus-induced cancellation of the Isle of Man TT was unavoidable, but as thoughts turn to its return in 2021, the ramifications could be felt for a long time yet
How the IoM TT's greatest race was won
In our final feature looking back at the major motorsport moments from the 2010s, we recall a day at the 2018 Isle of Man TT that featured broken records and the making of a new star of the motorbike road racing scene
The law keeping a circuit 'better than Spa' alive
Like the Isle of Man TT, the Ulster Grand Prix has thrived after losing world championship status decades ago. But unlike the TT, Ulster walks a fine line to survive through an innovative bit of legislation
What went wrong with McGuinness's TT comeback
John McGuinness targeted scoring a podium "at least" with Norton at the Isle of Man TT, but his return to the island - in the major classes at least - could scarcely have gone worse. What next for the veteran after his most disappointing TT?
What the TT means to those who have braved it
OPINION: The Isle of Man TT is an event like few others in motorsport - and it has a reputation for being incredibly dangerous. But to those involved in the competition, it has a completely different standing
The unavoidable headache challenging TT organisers
For much of the 2019 Isle of Man TT fortnight so far, the weather has dominated the headlines as rain has forced a series of delays and cancellations. This may be frustrating to fans, but stems from the unique challenge that makes the event a motorsport gem
The importance of short-circuit racing for TT success
Isle of Man TT riders using short-circuit races to warm up for the main event is nothing new, but the success of some relative newcomers to the TT in recent years has resulted in a more seismic shift in preparations