24h Motos
In light of the global Covid-19 health pandemic, the FIM Endurance World Championship has made the following changes to its 2019-2020 calendar: the 8 Hours of Oschersleben has been canceled, and the Bol d'Or will be held on 19-20 September after the 24H Motos at the Bugatti circuit on 29-30 August, and will serve as the season finale.
Eurosport Events, the championship's promoter, in agreement with the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), has modified the 2019-2020 FIM EWC calendar as a result of the Covid-19 health crisis-related government restrictions in place.
Initially programmed for 6 June in Germany, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben has been canceled, but will return to the calendar next year. The 2019-2020 FIM EWC season will now kick off on 19 July in Japan with the Suzuka 8 Hours for the Formula EWC class, so the Japanese race will no longer serve as this season's finale. Then, the EWC and Superstock teams will head to Le Mans and the Bugatti circuit for the 24H Motos on 29-30 August. The FIM and Eurosport Events have decided to make the 2020 Bol d’Or the fifth and final round of the season. Also, after having started at Le Castellet in September 2019, the 2019-2020 FIM EWC will finalize its classification at the Bol d’Or on 19-20 September.
For the economic benefit of the teams, the 24H Motos and Bol d'Or pre-tests will be canceled, but the Tuesday and Wednesday's free practice sessions for the two races will be extended to give more track time to the teams.
In support of private teams, Eurosport Events will compensate all non-official motorcycles that have participated in the 24Hs Motos and the Bol d'Or, up to € 1,500 per motorcycle.
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events: "After repositioning the 24H Motos at the end of August, we put forward a proposal to all the championship’s players to end the season with a great race at the Bol d’Or. Following a lengthy lockdown and so much frustration for motorcycle racing fans, I’m certain that ACO and Éditions Larivière will be capable of organizing two fantastic popular celebrations at Le Mans and Le Castellet. The revision of the calendar therefore means that the Suzuka 8 Hours will no longer be the finale of the world championship. Mobilityland, the organizer of this iconic race, understands the situation and shares our priority, which is to safeguard the interests of the FIM EWC in these very particular circumstances. The next season will therefore begin with Sepang and end with the Bol d’Or."
