MotoGP catches a cold as coronavirus sweeps the planet
Grand prix calendar thrown into disarray with the cancellation of the opening two rounds due to escalating travel restrictions
By MCN Sports Desk MOTOGP TEAM
MotoGP has been plunged into crisis after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of this weekend’s season-opener in Qatar and postponement of the forthcoming Thailand round. And with the first two races now coronavirus casualties there are fears of further severe disruption, with next month’s races in America and Argentina also under serious threat. That would mean Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Fabio Quartararo not competing until Jerez at the beginning of May at the earliest because of the global public health emergency. Dorna, the FIM and IRTA (the International Race Teams Association) were dragged into the coronavirus crisis on Sunday. A significant increase in COVID-19 cases in northern Italy resulted in a sudden escalation on travel restrictions imposed by Qatari authorities on passengers arriving from the country. Any individual entering Doha on a direct flight from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past two weeks, would be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days. That would impact star riders including Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci, Franco Morbidelli and Pecco Bagnaia, but would also hit dozens of staff from Ducati and Aprilia, as well as other key paddock members. MotoGP management had been in hourly contact with authorities and, until as recently as Friday, contingency plans were in place to ensure Italian and Japanese nationals would be exempt from Qatar’s heightened restrictions. But the blanket quarantine on such a vast number of key MotoGP personnel meant Dorna had no option but to cancel Sunday’s scheduled 22-lap MotoGP clash. Qatar’s Moto2 and Moto3 races will proceed as planned, as riders and teams were already in Qatar after completing a three-day test at the Losail track on Sunday. On Sunday evening a Dorna and FIM statement said: ‘Italy clearly plays a vital role in MotoGP,
● ‘It’s outside our decision. It’s Government’
on track and off, therefore the decision has been taken to cancel premier class competition.” But worse news was to follow on Monday when the Thai Public Health Ministry confirmed the Buriram race was also postponed for an “indefinite period”. Dorna is now desperately trying to reschedule the round later in the season, with a September or October slot seeming most likely. Last week Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “We’re talking to the local authorities. It’s outside our decision. It is a government decision everywhere.” But as MCN went to press on Monday he added: “There will absolutely be a 2020 MotoGP season. We will try to continue with everything and stay aware of the situation because it’s changing day by day, but our wish is to do all the races in the 2020 season.” Suzuki team boss Davide Brivio added: “Obviously It’s a big shame to have to cancel this first race as we were all ready to start and so were the fans. But the most important thing is safety and we have to respect the decision made by the local authorities and by the MotoGP officials.”
● ‘It’s a big shame to cancel the first race as we were all ready to start – but the most important thing is safety’