MotoGP: 2021 Australian Grand Prix cancelled as Portimao returns

The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island has been cancelled for the second consecutive season due to ‘travel complications and logistical restrictions’ caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The race was set to take place on October 24, but fans will now have to wait until the 2022 season to see MotoGP action at the famous circuit. The Aussie round is the third to be cancelled this year, following the withdrawal of the Japanese GP (Motegi) and Finnish GP (KymiRing).

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Today’s news (July 6) will come as a big disappointment to the riders, teams and fans alike. Phillip Island has produced some of the most exciting and unpredictable races in recent memory, with large leading groups and several ‘bar-to-bar’ overtakes being made.

As a result of this latest cancellation, the Malaysian GP at Sepang has been moved forward a week and will now take place over the weekend of October 22-24. This takes place one week after the rescheduled Thai GP.

Portimão also returns for a second race this year. The Algarve GP will take place on November 5-7, with the season finale at Valencia taking place the following weekend. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo won the Portuguese GP at Portimao earlier in the season, whilst hometown hero Miguel Oliveira won the event in 2021.

The Argentine round at Termas de Rio Hondo remains postponed, with no new date given as of yet following the huge fire which destroyed large parts of the facility in February.

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