MotoGP calendar changed again after Argentina is delayed
The FIM and Dorna Sports have announced that the MotoGP Argentine Grand Prix has been postponed a day after it was confirmed as the new season opener.
The outbreak of coronavirus and ever-tightening travel restrictions led to MotoGP having to cancel its original season opener in Qatar, with Thailand and Austin subsequently postponed in the week following as Italy placed all of its citizens under quarantine until at least April 3.
Just hours after a new calendar was issued confirming the Argentina race as the new season opener when Austin was moved back to November 15, the Rio Hondo race was plunged into doubt when Argentina announced a ban on all international sporting events due to coronavirus.
On Wednesday, Motorsport.com reported Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta confirmed a race to replace Qatar prior to Argentina was being considered.
In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the FIM has confirmed Argentina has been moved to November 22 – taking the slot of Valencia, which was pushed back a week to accommodate Austin's new date.
The Valencia finale will now take place on November 29, which means two triple-header runs of races to end the season, with Austin, Argentina and Valencia following the traditional Japan, Australia, Malaysia triple-header – which, in turn, follows back-to-back events in Aragon and Thailand.
The statement also notes that dates for the post-season Moto2 and Moto3 tests in Valencia and the three-day MotoGP test at Jerez will be announced "once the season is underway".
Pending a possible Qatar replacement, the season is now due to start on May 3 with the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.
Revised MotoGP 2020 calendar:
| Date | Event | Venue |
| March 8 | Qatar - Moto2 and Moto3 only | Losail |
| May 3 | Spain | Jerez |
| May 17 | France | Le Mans |
| May 31 | Italy | Mugello |
| June 7 | Catalunya | Barcelona |
| June 21 | Germany | Sachsenring |
| June 28 | Netherlands | Assen |
| July 12 | Finland | KymiRing |
| August 9 | Czech Republic | Brno |
| August 16 | Austria | Red Bull Ring |
| August 30 | Great Britain | Silverstone |
| September 13 | San Marino | Misano |
| September 27 | Aragon | Motorland Aragon |
| October 4 | Thailand | Buriram |
| October 18 | Japan | Motegi |
| October 25 | Australia | Phillip Island |
| November 1 | Malaysia | Sepang |
| November 15 | GP of the Americas | COTA |
| November 22 | Argentina | Termas de Rio Hondo |
| November 29 | Valencia | Ricardo Tormo |
Previous article
Ducati still plans private test despite Italy lockdown
Next article
Ducati: MotoGP disruption benefits Honda and Marquez
Why Quartararo’s suit penalty highlights a wider issue in MotoGP
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo racing with his leather suit open and subsequent penalty has been the main talking point of the Catalunya MotoGP weekend, which has highlighted a wider issue with MotoGP’s stewarding that risks a negative precedent going forward.
How MotoGP’s “beast” tamers bounced back at Catalunya
The expectation on KTM to replicate its winning form from 2020 this season made its difficult start to the new MotoGP campaign even more disappointing. But a key update has seen KTM's fortunes reversed over the last week and returned it to the top step of the podium in Barcelona
The signs that point to Rossi's MotoGP retirement
It's not been a happy start to 2021 for Valentino Rossi at the Petronas SRT satellite squad, with performances that are a shadow of the rider that utterly dominated MotoGP at the start of the new millennium. At the age of 42, how much longer can he go on?
Why the most significant Le Mans MotoGP performance wasn't Miller's
Hot on the heels of his first MotoGP win in five years, Jack Miller made it two from two with a commanding French Grand Prix victory at Le Mans despite two long-lap penalties. Impressive though it was, it was an expectation-defying performance from an anticipated title rival that was the real standout.
The impossible problem Honda faces with its 2021 MotoGP bike
Honda hasn’t enjoyed an easy start to the 2021 MotoGP campaign, despite gains last season which looked to have carried over into the pre-season. Now admitting it does have issues in serious need of resolving, it faces an almost impossible task in doing so.
How Jerez underlined MotoGP's speed problem
The brutal nature of a series of crashes at Jerez has reopened the debate about whether current MotoGP speeds are beyond the safety limits of the tracks. But even if riders are supportive of the move, getting the manufacturers to find a consensus on how speed reductions should be achieved may be altogether harder
How a Crutchlow helped Miller to Jerez MotoGP redemption
Jack Miller’s tough start to life as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider left him mentally battered and bruised, but a pep talk and positive reinforcement from a surprising source aided the Australian to show his full potential with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
