Japanese MotoGP race postponed after earthquake

The Twin Ring Motegi MotoGP race, scheduled to take place on April 24, has been postponed following an earthquake and tsunami that caused widespread devastation in Japan last week.

MCN understands the race will now take place on October 2, so will not form a triple header with the Phillip Island and Sepang races as was expected.

Dorna had the option to move the Motegi date after consultation with circuit management because of a large break in the calendar after the Motorland Aragon race on September 18 and Phillip Island race in Australia on October 16.

Although the Twin Ring Motegi is believed to have escaped major damage in last week’s earthquake, which was a magnitude of 8.9, roads between Tokyo and Mito – the closest city to the circuit – have been damaged.

Mito is also the city where the vast majority of race personnel reside during the race weekend and there have been reports of some structural damage.

Earlier this week, Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said a decision on whether the race would go ahead would be left entirely to Twin Ring Motegi officials as Japan tries to recover from one of the biggest natural disasters in its history.

It is the second year in succession that the Japanese round of the world championship has been rescheduled.

Last year’s race was postponed from April to October following the Iceland volcano ash crisis that prevented most of the paddock from flying from Europe to the Far East.