Japan Motogp Hit By Ash Cloud

The Japanese MotoGP at Motegi has become the first major sporting victim of the air travel problems caused by the cloud of volcanic ash in Europe after organisers were forced to reschedule the race.

Organisers said the race scheduled for Sunday 25th April will now take place on 3rd October as championship round 14 before events in Malaysia and Australia.

The next round of the motorsport series will now be at Spain’s Jerez circuit on 2nd May.

While most of the freight will have been flown straight on from last weekend’s season-opener in Qatar, the cloud of ash has created a no-fly zone over much of northern and central Europe and made it impossible for many team personnel to reach Japan.

Mobilityland Corporation, the Japanese operator of the Motegi venue, north of Tokyo, said it hoped MotoGP fans could attend the event later in the season.