Friday, November 22Sports. Travel. Events

Sports events news 29 April: MotoGP, Tour de Yorkshire, Tokyo Olympic Games 

MotoGP cancels three races but aims for July start
MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports has announced that the German, Dutch and Finnish grands prix have been cancelled. 

The German GP was due to take place from 19-21 June while the Dutch GP and Finnish GP were scheduled for 26-28 June and 10-12 July respectively. 

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of these three important grands prix on the MotoGP calendar. 

“The German GP is raced on a truly unique track with an incredible history, and the KymiRing is an exciting new venue set to welcome Grand Prix motorcycle racing back to Finland for the first time since 1982. 

“The iconic TT Circuit Assen had the unique honour of being the only venue to have held a round of the motorcycle racing grand prix world championship every year, uninterrupted, since the Championship began in 1949. 

“On behalf of Dorna I would like to thank all the fans for their understanding and patience as we wait for the situation to improve. We very much look forward to returning to the Sachsenring and the TT Circuit Assen in 2021, and eagerly await the grand prix debut of the new KymiRing next season.” 

Even though the German, Dutch and Finnish races are off Ezpeleta remains hopeful that the 2020 season will start in July. 

He added: “Our idea right now is to start at the end of July. Where and when are still to be decided. We’re sure our initial program is to start in Europe and race from the end of July until November and see what’s happening, and if the non-European races will be possible after November.”

Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media

IOC hit by Olympic postponement costs
The one-year delay of the Olympic Games in Tokyo will cost the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “several hundred million dollars”. 

IOC president Thomas Bach said: “Although it is too early to give an exact figure, we already know that we have to shoulder several hundred million US dollars of postponement costs. This is why we also need to look into and review all the services that we provide for these postponed Games.”

The Tokyo Olympic Games will be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 and the Paralympic Games will be held from 24 August to 5 September 2021.

Tour de Yorkshire likely to now be in 2021
Welcome To Yorkshire chief executive James Mason admits that the sixth edition of the Tour de Yorkshire cycling event will probably take place in 2021. 

This year’s event, which was supposed to start on 30 April, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Mason told the UK Press Association: “The longer this goes on the more likely it is that it will be next year. The sensible thing now would be to look into where it would fit into the calendar next year because there are too many imponderables as to when mass sporting events can take place again and they’re all backing up.”

Image: MotoGP.com 

Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media

SPORTS EVENTS CALENDAR