Image: Foremost Media.

A spike in coronavirus cases in Victoria and New South Wales has led Motorcycling Australia (MA) to delay its plans in announcing the 2020 Australian Motocross Championship calendar.

Former promoter Williams Event Management (WEM) exited the series in June and MA announced a fortnight ago that it would instead be taking the series in-house.

Those initial plans included five to six rounds taking place between September and November prior to an Australian Supercross Championship, however, COVID-19 has caused the sport’s governing body to hold on confirming a calendar for the moment. It is still anticipated that the gates will drop late in September.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MA has constantly and closely monitored the heath crisis developments and has regularly been in consultation with the national sporting body – Sports Australia – and government departments to receive the latest updates and advice,” a statement from MA read.

“The recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria and NSW over the past two weeks and the increasing restrictions being imposed have forced a reevaluation of the original September to November [schedule], although we are still hopeful of a late September start if possible.

“These circumstances have now resulted in a delay in announcing the 2020 Australian motocross calendar as MA, its partners and its host clubs work tirelessly to ensure a multi-round championship is possible for 2020.

“All efforts are still focussed on an east coast based championship, but any final decision and announcements will depend on government COVID-19 rules and regulations at that time. MA remains committed to communicating regularly with the national MX community as updates become available.”

Border restrictions and quarantine requirements currently in place between Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland highly complicate the process of launching a championship throughout the eastern states during the pandemic.