Photo via Autosport
MotoGP’s opening pre-season test of 2021 due to be held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) next month has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Official Sepang Test and the Shakedown Test were scheduled to take place from February 12th to 21st, but after the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Selangor as well as the national state of emergency, organisers were obliged to call it off.
“We are truly disappointed with this cancellation and I’m sure this is sad news for MotoGP fans in Malaysia and all over the world. We were looking forward to watching the action from the Official Test before the season starts. However, with the recent COVID-19 spike, the safety and wellbeing of those involved remain our top priority and we can’t afford to risk the health of others,” said CEO of SIC, Azhan Shafriman Hanif.
Aside from race bike testing, riders use winter testing to polish skills and reacquaint themselves with their race machines, but the second winter test at the Losail Circuit in Qatar looks set to go on from March 10th to 12th.
Meanwhile, all activities and events at SIC during the MCO period till January 26th will also be postponed until further notice.
MotoGP is set for a 20-race calendar in 2021, after its plans for a schedule of the same length had to be scrapped last year due to COVID-19.
The season will to begin on March 28th in Qatar and end in November in Valencia, Spain.
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
