Lavilla: There's a point when WorldSBK cancellations the only option

World Superbike chief Gregorio Lavilla admits organisers are heading towards a point when it can no longer reshuffle rounds and “will have to consider cancellations as the only possible option” after calling off the Imola round.

In the latest shake-up to the 2020 World Superbike calendar, Imola has become the first round to be cancelled while both the Aragon and Misano rounds have been rescheduled to later in the year due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The Aragon round (August 28-30) has slotted in between the new Assen date (August 21-23) and the original Portimao schedule (September 4-6) which has created a triple-header for the first time in World Superbike history.

With the Misano round pushed back to November 6-8 as the new season finale, Lavilla, Dorna’s WorldSBK Executive Director for Sporting and Organisation, concedes any further demands to change the 2020 season schedule could trigger further cancellations.

“It all depends when we can restart; there is a point where it will not be possible to move the calendar anymore and we will have to consider cancellations as the only possible option,” Lavilla said following the announcement to cancel the Imola round.

“I want to be clear that the situation once when we restart, could face difficulties in our job but I think this is the worst scenario.

“My day by day focus is mainly keep everyone supporting our program and help everyone involved as much as possible. This are not easy times for anyone but everyone in the company is giving their best to achieve the best outcome.

“We are working tirelessly as well together with government officials, the FIM, and circuits to make sure that when the racing returns, it is suitable and safe for everyone. This is our priority and will come first.

“Given how close the first WorldSBK round was, the racing will be spectacular for the racing season when we resume.”

Lavilla says calling off the Imola round came as a painful decision given the circuit’s history in the championship while also being a fan-favourite.

“We regret to announce about Imola being cancelled. Plan A was the most ideal, where we ran all remaining rounds but every day that passes goes against our program and we have to understand that to compress the season to a difficult extreme is not possible,” he explained.

“Unfortunately, we had to announce the cancellation of the Italian Round due to the continuous COVID-19 situation. Also, with the already complex calendar forecasted today and the weather situation we may face going even later in the year, we agreed with the circuit that it is better to cancel.”

The updated World Superbike calendar will see a return to action at Donignton Park on July 3-5, subject to Qatar’s rescheduling slot which is yet to be confirmed, while ongoing delays could be forced by future coronavirus developments.