MotoGP: Moto2 and Moto3 WILL race at Qatar but MotoGP race CANCELLED for the desert outing

This in from MotoGP bosses at Dorna for this coming weekend’s opening round of the MotoGP championship at the Losail circuit on Qatar – whilst we’re not going to see the big bikes in action (because they’re not at Qatar yet) we will get to see the middle and lightweight classes bashing fairings in anger (because they are already there following their two-day Qatar test).

Travel restrictions from Italy, where an outbreak of the Coronavirus is being isolated and an attempt to contain it to the geographic region is being made by the authorities there, means that key people, kit and teams haven’t been able to fly out.

Dorna says this:

Due to Qatar travel restrictions brought into force affecting passengers from Italy, the premier class will not race at Losail.

FIM, IRTA and Dorna regret to announce the cancellation of all MotoGP class sessions at the Grand Prix of Qatar, including the race.

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries. As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past two weeks, will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Italy clearly plays a vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel premier class competition.

As the teams and riders of the Moto2 and Moto3 classes were already in Qatar for the three-day official test at Losail International Circuit earlier this week, the races of both categories will be possible. The lightweight and intermediate classes will therefore compete in their season opener from the 6th to 8th March. The same will apply to the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, which will have two races during the Qatar Grand Prix as originally planned. Stay tuned for a revised schedule.