Image: Supplied.

The MotoGP has been cancelled for Qatar’s opening round of the MotoGP World Championship this weekend due to the Coronavirus.

The ongoing outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries. As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past two weeks, will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

Italy clearly plays a vital role in the championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel premier class competition.

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

The lightweight and intermediate classes will therefore compete in their season opener from the 6-8 March. The same will apply to the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, which will have two races during the Qatar grand prix as originally planned.