Assen cancels events until April 6, WorldSBK round in doubt
Assen has cancelled all its events for the next three weeks amid coronavirus prevention plans ordered by the Netherlands’ government and health authorities, which threatens the running of the Dutch World Superbike round later in April.
Under government guidelines the Dutch circuit has called off all its events until April 6 to limit the risk of spreading coronavirus to its tenants, volunteers and other personnel using the circuit.
Assen has cancelled all its events for the next three weeks amid coronavirus prevention plans ordered by the Netherlands’ government and health authorities, which threatens the running of the Dutch World Superbike round later in April.
Under government guidelines the Dutch circuit has called off all its events until April 6 to limit the risk of spreading coronavirus to its tenants, volunteers and other personnel using the circuit.
Assen is assessing rescheduling the meetings hit by the circuit closure, which are all national events or track days including the OW Cup motorcycle race, and provisionally will reopen on April 7.
“Unfortunately, the coranavirus keeps the Netherlands in its grip more and more,” an Assen statement confirmed. “The consequences of this are noticeable at all levels and intervene deeply in social life. Also when it comes to sports.
“As TT Circuit Assen, we follow the guidelines of the government and RIVM, which has consequences for day-to-day operations.
“In this way we try to contribute to the further limitation of the number of infections and at the same time limit the risks for our tenants and volunteers. Therefore, no events will be held until April 6 at the TT Circuit Assen.”
But if the closing period is extended by two weeks it will force the rescheduling or cancellation of the Dutch World Superbike round set to take place on April 17-19.
The World Superbike round at Assen remains one of the few international motorsport events still on before May amid the global coronavirus outbreak, but the latest Dutch government measures threaten to force a postponement of the event. The World Superbike championship has already seen its Qatar round postponed amid travel bans to the country.
Assen is currently set to host the second round of the 2020 WorldSBK campaign following the Phillip Island opener on February 28-March 1, which saw Alex Lowes become the early championship leader thanks to second place in race one, fourth place in the sprint race and victory in race two.
Assen is also set to host the Dutch MotoGP round on June 26-28.
