This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a significant change in the 2020 MotoGP season schedule. Originally set to begin on March 8 in Qatar, the season will now kick off on July 19 at the Jerez circuit in Spain.
Following the coronavirus lockdown, MotoGP organisers Dorna have announced a revised schedule with back-to-back races at Jerez. The season will feature a minimum of 13 races in Europe between July and November, with the possibility of four more races outside the continent later in the year.
Whether fans can attend the races will depend on each host country's coronavirus regulations. MotoGP has stated that all dates, events, and spectator attendance are subject to the evolution of the pandemic and government approval.
Spain will host seven races in total, including the Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona on September 27 and double-headers in Aragon and Valencia in October and November respectively.
The Czech Grand Prix will be the third race of the campaign on August 9, followed by two races at Austria's Red Bull Ring and two more in Italy at the San Marino Grand Prix track.
Le Mans will host the French Grand Prix on October 11, while possible races in the United States, Thailand, Argentina, and Malaysia will be confirmed by July 31.
Spanish star Marc Marquez will be bidding for his fifth straight top-class title and seventh in total. He expressed his eagerness to return to the circuits and start the action on social media.
