Revised calendar for NTC confirms date for WorldSBK in Assen

Michelle Liew

March 27, 2020

Apart from confirming a new date in Assen, there is a postponement in Austria round.

NTC calendar to have some changes this season | Photo credits: WorldSBK

Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the authorities have made a number of changes to the 2020 Northern Talent Cup calendar.

Just less than two weeks ago, the FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization made an announcement regarding the postponed of the Dutch Round of WorldSBK. IDM also made a subsequent announcement that they are to postpone the start of their season. As such, the NTC calendar has been revised.

The preseason test at Oschersleben, originally planned for the 4th to the 5th of April, will now be rescheduled. However, the format will be remains as usual. The day before the test, there will be a day of administrative verifications, briefings and photo/video shoots for the riders and teams, followed by two days reserved for track action. Authorities will make an announcement of a new test date with a minimum of two weeks notice. This will allow plenty of time for preparation.

The NTC Dutch round that was set to take place from the 17th to the 19th of April will still race alongside WorldSBK at the TT Circuit Assen, with the event now rescheduled for the 21st to the 23rd of August.

The NTC races at the Red Bull Ring, originally planned alongside the IDM on the 22nd to the 24th of May, will be rescheduled. Dorna is working with the IDM to either find a new date for the Austrian Round or to host that round of the NTC at another location.

As of today the first racing event for the NTC is to take place on the 3rd to the 6th of June at Oschersleben, alongside Speedweek. As previously confirmed, a test will take place beforehand as the first NTC round will not take place before a test has been completed.

Aided by the support of government health authorities, Dorna Sports is closely monitoring the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. As the situation remains in a state of constant evolution, it cannot confirm a new date for the test and the Austrian Round until it becomes clearer when exactly it will be possible to hold these events. The authorities will aim to publish a new calendar as soon as possible.

Dorna is making every effort to maintain the number of NTC events and the format of each event. Cancellation of the Northern Talent Cup is absolutely not an option at this time.