Motegi GP Postponed
Due to an interruption in international air travel from the volcanic eruption in Iceland, the MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi scheduled for April 25 has been postponed.
The Round 2 race at the TwinRing circuit near Tokyo was re-scheduled for October 3, between the new circuit on the calendar, Motorland Aragon in Spain (Sept. 19), and Sepang in Malaysia (Oct. 10).
"Due to the Icelandic volcanic eruption causing flight cancellations by aviation operators, we have decided to postpone the MotoGP scheduled for this weekend," Mobilityland Corporation President Hiroshi Oshima said in a statement from the company that operates the track. "Although the situation is beyond our control, we sincerely apologize to fans who have been eagerly waiting for the world’s top-level race."
Last Wednesday Iceland’s Eyjafjoell volcano erupted, spewing ash everywhere, canceling thousands of flights in Europe; the eruption affected air travel in 30 countries.
The only rider who may benefit from the rescheduling is Nine-Time World Champion Valentino Rossi, who is recovering from minor injuries he sustained while motocross training in his native Italy last Thursday.
FIM ANNOUNCEMENT – Postponement of the Grand Prix of Japan
The recent vulcano eruption in Iceland has resulted in an ash cloud cover infiltration. Air traffic space over Europe has stopped all international travel in and out of Europe.
This case of ‘force majeure’ has obliged the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau composed of the FIM President Vito Ippolito and Dorna C.E.O. Carmelo Ezpeleta, with the agreement of the Grand Prix Promoter, Mobilityland Corporation, to postpone the Grand Prix of Japan planned on 25 April 2010.
The Grand Prix Permanent Bureau proposed equally to the FIM to reschedule the Grand Prix of Japan on 3 October 2010.
