MotoGP: Thai GP Cancelled Amidst Rising Covid-19 Cases

After cancelling the Australian Grand Prix from the 2021 MotoGP calendar, MotoGP organisers have now dropped the Thai Grand Prix that was scheduled to take place between October 15-17. This is for the second consecutive year that the Thai round of the premier-class championship has been cancelled in the wake of the rising Covid-19 cases in the country. MotoGP officials said that an updated 2021 race calendar will be published very soon.

Also Read: Australian Formula 1 And MotoGP Races Cancelled For 2021

In a statement, MotoGP said, "The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the cancellation of the OR Thailand Grand Prix, which was set to take place at Chang International Circuit from the 15th to the 17th of October. Despite the best efforts of all parties involved, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions have obliged the cancellation of the event. The FIM MotoGP World Championship looks forward to returning to race in front of the incredibly passionate Buriram crowd in 2022. A replacement event is currently under consideration and any updates regarding a possible substitute will be published as soon as available."

The Thai GP has been home to some epic battles over the years

The news will come as a disappointment for local fans of the sport given the race was cancelled last year as well. However, with travel restrictions and rising cases, it would be a logistical challenge to manage the race weekend even without spectators. In Australia too, the organisers were posed with a similar threat after being denied special access to the country for teams and riders.

With the absence of the Thai GP, there's a three-week window in the 2021 calendar between COTA scheduled between October 1-3, and the Malaysian GP between October 22-24. Organisers could look at a doubleheader to make up for the lost round. So far, Australian, Japanese, Finnish rounds have been cancelled owing to the pandemic. The Argentinean GP could be cancelled as well due to the Covid restrictions.