Paris (AFP)

The Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, scheduled for October 22-24, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and will be replaced by a race held on the same dates in Misano (Italy), championship organizers announced Thursday.

"The Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions placed accordingly on entry into Malaysia force the event to be canceled," the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and MotoGP promoter Dorna said in a statement. .

The motorcycle speed world championship should therefore not return to Sepang, Malaysia, until 2022, after two seasons of absence.

This announcement comes in a series of cancellations of sporting events in Asia, notably under the effect of the Delta variant.

Among these cancellations are two races scheduled in Japan, on the Suzuka circuit, in October: the Formula 1 GP and the Suzuka 8 Hours of the Motorcycle World Endurance Championship (EWC).

A first motorcycle GP was already scheduled in Misano (which hosted two MotoGP rounds last year) from September 17 to 19.

These dates do not change.

Nineteen rounds are on the 2021 season calendar, including one at a location and date yet to be determined.

After eleven events, Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) leads the riders' standings with a 47-point lead.

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The updated 2021 Motorcycle Sprint World Championship schedule:

March 28: Qatar (Losail) - winner: Maverick Vinales (ESP / Yamaha)

April 4: Qatar (Losail) - winner: Fabio Quartararo (FRA / Yamaha)

April 18: Portugal (Portimao) - winner: Fabio Quartararo (FRA / Yamaha)

May 2: Spain (Jerez) - winner: Jack Miller (AUS / Ducati)

May 16: France (Le Mans) - winner: Jack Miller (AUS / Ducati)

May 30: Italy (Mugello) - winner: Fabio Quartararo (FRA / Yamaha)

June 6: Catalonia (Barcelona) - winner: Miguel Oliveira (POR / KTM)

June 20: Germany (Sachsenring) - winner: Marc Marquez (ESP / Honda)

June 27: Netherlands (Assen) - winner: Fabio Quartararo (FRA / Yamaha)

August 8: Styria (Spielberg) - winner: Jorge Martin (ESP / Ducati-Pramac)

August 15: Austria (Spielberg) - winner: Brad Binder (RSA / KTM)

August 29: Great Britain (Silverstone)

September 12: Aragon (Alcaniz)

September 19: San Marino (Misano)

October 3: United States (Austin)

October 24: San Marino (Misano)

November 7: Algarve (Portimao, Portugal)

November 14: Valencian Community (Ricardo Tormo circuit)

GP undated: Argentina (Termas de Rio Hondo)

© 2021 AFP