Motorcycle racing in Northern Ireland suspended until June due to Covid-19

In a statement, the MCUI (Ulster Centre) said the ‘unavoidable’ decision had been taken due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, the first tarmac race of 2021 is scheduled to be an Irish Superbike round at Kirkistown in Co Down on June 5.

The statement said: “The Directors and Management of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) Ltd have taken the unfortunate but unavoidable decision to suspend the start of the 2021 Sporting Event Calendar.

“Due to the current fluid situation with Covid 19 restrictions combined with pressure on our NHS, we believe this is the only responsible decision we can make at this time.

“We will review the situation as and when Government restriction is eased. Currently we are taking all guidance, advice from the Northern Ireland Executive, Minster of Health, Department of Communities and SportNI.”

The statement referenced the cancellation of the Tandragee 100 and North West 200, and said the Cookstown 100 was still scheduled to go ahead in September, with Armoy set to run as planned at the end of July.

It continued: “Earlier this week two of our flagship’s events were cancelled due to the pandemic, Tandragee 100 and the NW200.

“The Cookstown 100 are planning on running again in September as they managed to do in 2020. Armoy Road Race club are still hopeful of running on their end of July date.

“Our first tarmac event is now planned for 5th June at Kirkistown, the first round of the Ulster Superbike Championship (USBK) and with several more rounds planned between June & October.

“The Trials section had already planned to run into the summer months and will release more details in due course.

“2020 was almost a wipe out of all our events with only one Road Race and one short circuit managing to run between the restriction and only with authority from Government departments.

“This announcement will be very disappointing for our Licence holders, Clubs, and supporters, but we must do what is best to keep everyone in the communities safe.”

All Irish road races in the Republic of Ireland have been cancelled in 2021, with the exception of the Skerries 100.

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