WorldSBK | Updated calendar includes Czech round on new track; Australia returns in 2022
The organizers of the World Superbike WorldSBK (FIM, Autodrom Most and Dorna WSBK Organization – DWO) announced an updated calendar for the 2021 season, with the inclusion of the Czech stage on a new track and the cancellation of the race in Australia, which returns in 2022.
The five-year agreement means that the Czech round will be included in the WorldSBK Calendar by 2025 with the announcement made at a presentation in Prague on Thursday, April 29.
The race in the Czech Republic will take place at the Autódromo Most, for the first time in the category. The debut is scheduled for August 6, with participation of all classes (including Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup).
Located near Prague, the Autódromo Most opened in 1983 and was then the first permanent motor racing complex in what was then known as Czechoslovakia.
The circuit has hosted many motorsport events, including national motorcycle championships, and will be a new and exciting addition to WorldSBK in 2021, while the championship site fits the circuit’s commitment to being part of the region’s sporting, social and cultural life. .
Australia round canceled
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting regulations, the FIM, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and DWO have agreed there will be no 2021 edition of the Australian Round.
They will now work for a return to the iconic venue in 2022 in the most successful way as the first event of the 2022 Championship.
Josef Zajicek, Autodrom Most Chief Executive Officer: “This is a milestone and a unique event during Autodrom’s history of almost 40 years. We are becoming organisers of World Championship races for the first time. This fact places demanding technical and organisational requirements on us. Nevertheless, we are happy to take up this challenge. Our objective is to open our complex to the general public, which is why we have to offer the best-quality events possible to our racing fans. And the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship indisputably belongs to such events. We will make sure that the riders, teams, partners, sponsors as well as spectators may be absolutely satisfied with us and look forward to the next edition of this fantastic display of powerful machines and brave riders.”
David Bennett, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, General Manager: “Phillip Island has hosted more World Superbike events than any other circuit in the world. We agree that now is the time to focus our efforts on the official test and season opening round in 2022. The decision not to run a round in 2021 will not adversely impact the continuation of the event. The event is secured for the Phillip Island Circuit until 2027.”
Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director: “We are thrilled to welcome the Autodrom Most to our calendar for the next five seasons. Today’s announcement that WorldSBK is set to return to the Czech Republic for the first time since 2018 reflects the continuing popularity of the Championship among the Czech fans. With Czech teams and riders within the paddock, this is a great opportunity to showcase the Czech Republic on a world stage and I trust the Autodrom Most will be hosting exciting events in the future. Regarding Australia, all parties involved decided that analysing the latest changes in all major motorsport events and with the current uncertainty related to the pandemic, the best solution was to move the Round to our usual start-of-the-season date in 2022. We look forward to returning there in 2022 with the Australian Round a key event of the Championship.”
For more info, access the WorldSBK website.