Japanese MotoGP round cancelled due to Virus

MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta announces cancellation

Japan will not have a MotoGP round for the first time since 1986 after organizers on Monday cancelled the Oct. 18 race at Motegi due to the virus pandemic that will keep the series in Europe until mid-November.

The race is a home one for champions Honda as well as manufacturers Yamaha and Suzuki. It is the sixth on the 2020 calendar to be cancelled.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of promoters Dorna, said in a statement that the championship would focus on doing as many races as possible in Europe until mid-November.

“Overseas events, if at all possible, should be scheduled after mid-November — which would be too late in the year for the Grand Prix of Japan to be held," the Spaniard said.