No Malaysian round for World Superbikes

The Malaysian round of next year’s World Superbike championship has been axed.

A race was due to be staged at Sepang on May 4, but the FIM confirmed last week that the calendar has been cut from 13 to 12 rounds.

They gave no reason for the decision, but said: “The race has been postponed. It should happen in 2004.”

The news has prompted more speculation about the future of Carl Fogarty’s Petronas team, which is one of the main reasons series bosses earmarked a race in Malayasia.

The new calendar now looks like this:

March 2: Valencia. March 30: Phillip Island. April 27: Sugo. May 18: Monza. June 1: Oschersleben. June 15: Silverstone. June 22: Misano. July 13: Laguna Seca. July 27: Brands Hatch. September 7: Assen. September 28: Imola. October 19: Magny-Cours.

What do you think about a 12-round championship? How do you think this will affect Foggy and Petronas? Post your thoughts on the World Superbike message board by following the link on the right.