by BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR – The 2021 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (GP) has been brought forward and will take place from Oct 22-24, a week earlier than previously scheduled (Oct 29-31), at the Sepang International Circuit.

MotoGP, in a statement today, said the latest change was made due to the cancellation of the Australian Motorcycle GP for the second consecutive year. This year’s Australian Motorcycle GP was supposed to be held at the Phillip Island GP Circuit from Oct 22-24.

“The FIM (International Motorcycling Federation), IRTA (International Road-Racing Teams Association) and Dorna Sports regret to announce the cancellation of the Australian Motorcycle GP.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting travel complications and logistical restrictions mean it has not been possible to confirm the viability of the event at this time, and it will therefore not feature on the 2021 calendar,” it said.

Last year, the 2020 Australian Motorcycle GP was also cancelled due to the pandemic.

In addition, the FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports also confirmed the addition of a second Portuguese round, the Algarve GP, to the MotoGP calendar on Nov 5-7. The first round was held on April 16-18.