MotoGP | Official, the Top Class will not race in Qatar, only Moto3 and Moto2 will be on track

We anticipated it a few minutes ago and now it's official. The Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for March 8th will see only the riders of the Moto3 and Moto2 classes as protagonists. Below is the official press release.

MotoGP class canceled for Qatar Grand Prix

Due to travel restrictions brought into force for passengers from Italy (among other countries), the premier class will not compete at Losail.

FIM, IRTA and Dorna regret announcing the cancellation of all sessions of the MotoGP class of the Grand Prix of Qatar, including the race.

The current coronavirus outbreak has led to travel restrictions coming into force affecting passengers from Italy, among other countries. Starting today, all passengers arriving in Doha on direct flights from Italy or who have been in Italy in the last 2 weeks will be taken directly into quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Italy clearly has a vital role in the MotoGP championship and class, both on and off the track and therefore the decision has been made to cancel the Top Class competition.

Since the teams and riders of the Moto2 and Moto3 classes were already in Qatar for the three days of official testing at the Losail International Circuit earlier this week, races in both categories will be possible.

The light and intermediate classes will then compete in the season opener March 6-8. The same goes for the Asia Talent Cup, which will have two races during the Qatar Grand Prix as initially planned. Stay tuned for a revised schedule.