Sachsenring cancellation 'no impact' on German MotoGP future

Organisers of the German MotoGP have emphasised that the decision to cancel this year's race will have 'no impact' on the future of the event.

While all previous rounds since Qatar have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, MotoGP announced today that the 2020 races at Sachsenring, Assen and KymiRing are to be cancelled.

The decision was made after their respective governments recently extended restrictions on sporting events/public gatherings.

The possibility of holding the races behind closed doors is then thought to have been explored but ultimately ruled out.

'In view of the current ban on major events [in Germany] until August 31, the Motorcycle World Championship round originally planned from June 19 to 21, 2020 cannot be held,' said a statement from the ADAC.

'In the past few days, MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports and ADAC eV as the organiser have checked all available options.

'Ultimately, Dorna, in coordination with the ADAC, decided to suspend the Motorcycle Grand Prix this year and to hold the race in the summer of 2021. All tickets already purchased remain valid for the 2021 Grand Prix.

'The postponement of this year's race has no impact on the future of the German Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. ADAC eV has been in talks with Dorna since last year to extend the existing agreement beyond 2021.'

Assen and the KymiRing have likewise insisted that they will return to the calendar in 2021.

However, there are rumours that the financial aftermath of the coronavirus might well force alterations to next year's planned MotoGP line-up…