TOKYO (AFP) - The Japanese MotoGP was cancelled over the coronavirus on Monday as organizers said they would concentrate on holding as many races as possible in Europe this year.
The scrapping of the October 16-18 race in Motegi follows the axing of the Australian MotoGP, which was due to be held a week later.
The first 11 races of the MotoGP season have been either postponed or cancelled, and there have been discussions about how to preserve as much as possible of the European calendar.
At the moment, the sport hopes to resume with back-to-back races at Jerez, Spain.
The first, on July 19, would be the new season-opener, with Dorna suggesting slotting in the second race at the same circuit on July 26.
A round of the Superbike Championship was also proposed for Jerez on August 2.
The opening legs, if approved, are most likely to be held without spectators, and with restrictions on the number of people allowed in the paddock.
There have also been talks about holding the French MotoGP, which was scheduled for May, in October instead.