No replacement for Sepang test, Shakedown in Qatar
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Get MotoGP news in your inbox! By signing up to the newsletter you agree to receive emails from that may occasionally include promotional content Leave this field blank MotoGP riders are set to have just one Official test before the start of the 2021 world championship, following the cancellation of the Sepang outings.The new year traditionally begins with a Shakedown in Malaysia, featuring test riders, rookies and Concessions teams, followed swiftly by an Official Test (for all riders) at the same track.However, Malaysia recently declared a state of emergency and both Sepang events have been cancelled due to the ‘ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns’.IRTA CEO Mike Trimby told that, while the Official Sepang test will not be replaced (there had been speculation that a European venue might step-in), the Shakedown will now be moved to Qatar on March 5-6-7.Losail is then due to hold the lone remaining Official MotoGP test on March 10-12, followed by the season-opener night race on March 26-28.It means that the class rookies – Marco Bezzecchi, Luca Marini and Jorge Martin – will now start the season with only six days of MotoGP track time, instead of nine.Related ArticlesaccImages.createImage(); Crutchlow: Surprise winners will continue in MotoGP 2021accImages.createImage(); 2021 Sepang MotoGP pre-season tests officially cancelledAnd while all teams will now need to make technical decisions based on data gathered at just one track (with the unique desert and night race conditions), KTM is arguably the manufacturer to lose the most from the reduction in testing. Having started last season with technical Concessions – then lost them due to a stunning three wins and eight podiums – KTM is allowed to join Aprilia in updating its engine design for 2021.However, unlike Aprilia, KTM’s engine design will be fixed once racing begins, meaning any major issues with the new RC16 engine need to identified and solved during pre-season testing.Related ArticlesaccImages.createImage(); Yamaha, Ducati, Honda plan online launches, state of emergency in MalaysiaaccImages.createImage(); Aleix Espargaro ‘feels better than ever, 2021 crucial year for Aprilia’The special Covid technical freeze states that the other manufacturers – Suzuki, Ducati, Yamaha and Honda – must continue to use their 2020 engine designs until the end of 2021.Unlike in 2020, all manufacturers are allowed to update their aerodynamic package this season.The cancellation of the Sepang test also scuppers the planned team launch by the local Petronas Yamaha squad, which was due to present its new line-up of Valentino Rossi and reigning title runner-up Franco Morbidelli at the circuit on the eve of the event.”4The team told that they are still in discussions about a revised team launch.Provisional 2021 MotoGP CalendarRound”5DateRaceCircuit”6128 MarchQatar”7Losail211 April”8ArgentinaTermas de Rio Hondo3″918 AprilAmericasCOTA”1042 MaySpainJerez516 MayFranceLe Mans630 MayItalyMugello76 JuneCatalunyaBarcelona820 JuneNetherlandsAssen927 JuneGermanySachsenring1011 JulyFinland*KymiRing11 To Be Decided 1215 AugustAustriaRed Bull Ring1329 AugustGreat BritainSilverstone1412 SeptemberAragonAragon1519 SeptemberSan Marino e Della Riviera di RiminiMisano163 OctoberJapanMotegi1710 OctoberThailandBuriram1824 OctoberAustraliaPhillip Island1931 OctoberMalaysiaSepang2014 NovemberComunitat ValencianaRicardo Tormo
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