The MotoGP calendar has once again been revised as the threat of coronavirus has forced the postponement of the Austin and ceding the season opener status to Argentina.
The calendar had been revised twice previously after the cancellation of the season opener in Qatar and the postponement of the Thailand round. Coronavirus-related travel restrictions has been the catalyst for the calendar changes.
The race in Austin was put into doubt after the city declared a “state of disaster” regarding the threat of coronavirus. The resulting restrictions on public gatherings imposed by the city meant that unless the organisers could prove that appropriate measures were put in place to mitigate the spread of the disease, the event would have to be postponed or cancelled.
Earlier this morning, MotoGP promoter Dorna confirmed the COTA race weekend would be delayed until November “due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak”. The season opener status has now been assigned to Argentina’s Termas de Rio Hondo on April 19.
The Valencia finale has been pushed back a week to make way for the rescheduled COTA round. The post-race test in Valencia has already been cancelled, and the calendar reshuffle could place the Jerez test into question as well.
