WorldSBK’s 2021 season is off to a rocky start, as we get word that the season-opener at Phillip Island has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
At the heart of the issue is the current status of Australia with its coronavirus outbreak, as the antipodes are slowly reopening their country after successfully tackling the pandemic.
The concern, of course, is that having a bunch of foreigners on their soil increases the chances of a new outbreak, and that events like a motorcycle race could become super-spreader incidents.
Accordingly, the venue, Dorna, and the Victorian government in Australia are working to find a new date for the iconic round on the 2021 calendar.
“We have been closely monitoring the situation in Australia and globally, and working with our stakeholders,” said David Bennett, General Manager of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
“We’ve delayed our decision as late as possible, but unfortunately with the uncertainty that exists in the world today, we are going to have to postpone our World Superbike round.”
“I know this means a longer wait for fans, but the world’s leading production riders and their bikes will return to the island for more spectacular racing and the wait, as always, will be worth it.”
There is no indication on when WorldSBK could be back at Phillip Island, and likely much of the 2021 calendar depends on pandemic levels and the chances for a working vaccine to COVID-19.
Source: WorldSBK
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