Press Release | April 30, 2021
The 8 Hours of Oschersleben will not take place during the 2021 FIM EWC season.
This is a press release from April 30, 2021…
Despite the efforts of the FIM, Eurosport Events and the organizers of the 8 Hours of Oschersleben, it has not been possible to reschedule a new date for a German round of the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship.
A few weeks ago, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben race, which was initially scheduled for May 23, had to be postponed because of health restrictions in Germany.
Since then, the FIM, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, Eurosport Events, the promoter of the FIM EWC, and the organizers of the race in Germany have been working together to reschedule the 8 Hours of Oschersleben on the 2021 calendar.
Their priority was to offer teams a new calendar compatible with their logistical organization, which would take into account the other date changes, of the 24 Heures Motos (June 12-13) and the 12 Hours of Estoril (July 17), as well as the organization of the Bol d’Or on September 18-19 and the Suzuka 8 Hours on November 7.
The other priority was to find a date that would give the event the most international visibility after the end of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
In light of these requirements, the only suitable date was mid-August.
Despite these joint efforts, unfortunately the Oschersleben circuit was unable to cancel its previously undertaken commitments for that date.
As a result, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben will not take place during the 2021 FIM EWC season.
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events:“We genuinely regret being unable to include the 8 Hours of Oschersleben on the 2021 calendar. Oschersleben has been part of the FIM EWC races since 1999. It is also an important race for German and East European teams, of which an ever-increasing number are entering the championship.”
Jorge Viegas, FIM President:“Despite the fact we could not find an alternative date for the traditional 8 Hours of Oschersleben, we look forward to welcoming back this race next year. In the meantime, the remainder of the 2021 FIM EWC calendar will be run as is planned, but keeping in mind that we must maintain flexibility until we are over with the pandemic. We sincerely thanks everyone involve for the continuous efforts. Please stay strong!”
This is a press release from April 12, 2021…
There are two changes to the calendar of the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship. Initially scheduled for mid-April, the 44th edition of the 24 Heures Motos will now take place June 12-13 on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The 8 Hours of Oschersleben cannot be held May 23 in Germany. A later date is being sought.
Because of the current burden on hospitals, in early April the 24 Heures Motos organizer Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the International Motorcycling Federation FIM and Eurosport Events, the promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship, announced the postponement of the 24 Heures Motos, the opening race of the 2021 season.
The 24 Heures Motos 2021 has been rescheduled and will now take place June 12-13 on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The race will be held behind closed doors, as in 2020, because of the public health situation.
As a result of stricter health restrictions in Germany, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben cannot be held as scheduled on May 23. The organizer, the FIM and Eurosport Events are already looking at possible later dates in the summer so as to maintain the race on the 2021 calendar.
With the revision of the calendar, the 24 Heures Motos is once again the opening race of the 2021 FIM EWC season.
Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, organizer of the 24 Heures Motos: “Since the beginning of the crisis, our main objective has been to hold our races whenever possible. It is vital for the contestants and their partners and for the continuity of the championship that the race take place, even behind closed doors. We will once again do our utmost to ensure that this edition, which is set to be another very exciting race, gets maximum publicity.”
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events: “The new date for the 24 Heures Motos is essential for the FIM Endurance World Championship and for all the competing teams. Eurosport Events will go all out to make sure that the broadcast of this race behind closed doors is a thrilling experience for French fans as well as viewers around the world. We are also making every effort in Germany to find a later date for the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.”
Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM: “I would like to warmly thank the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, the promoter Eurosport Events and all the stakeholders involved for their continuous efforts to reorganise the dates of two major events in the FIM EWC. We really hope that it will be possible to postpone the 8 Hours of Oschersleben for as short a period as the health situation allows. We can’t wait for the season to start on 12-13 June at the Bugatti Circuit. This good news restores positive energy in these complicated times. The many registered teams will have another chance to fight soon for what promises to be an unforgettable edition of the 24 Hours Motos.”
The following is from a press release issued on April 4, 2021:
2021 Le Mans 24 Hours Motos will not take place on April 17 and 18
The 44th edition of the 24 Heures Motos, scheduled to take place April 17-18, has been canceled. A later date for the race during the 2021 FIM EWC season is currently being examined.
Following discussions with medical staff and in agreement with the Préfecture of Police, the organizer of the 24 Heures Motos Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the French and international motorcycling federations FIM and FFM and Eurosport Events, the championship’s promoter, have decided to cancel the event.
As a result of the health crisis and of hospitals being under considerable strain, hospitals in Le Mans and is environs are not in a position to provide the service required to ensure the safety of riders and teams during the race.
The organizer, sporting federations and promoter are already working to identify a future date for the 24 Heures Motos during the 2021 season. A communication to this effect will be issued over the next 10 days.
Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de L’Ouest: “Deciding to cancel the 24 Hours Motos was extremely difficult. Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic means we cannot uphold our usual organisational standards. My thoughts are with medical workers, who have had a very tough time over the past year or so. We are now doing our utmost to set a new date for the 44th 24 Hours Motos.”
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events: “Rider safety is a non-negotiable factor and the strain on hospitals both currently and in the coming weeks rules out the holding of the 24H Motos. As of today, we are working with the ACO to find a new date to ensure the organization of the FIM Endurance World Championship at Le Mans. All our efforts are being directed at this objective.”
The following is from a press release issue in December 2020
Five races are planned for the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship, starting in France with the 24 Heures Motos in mid-April.
Following the last race of the 2019-20 season in Portugal last September, the 2021 season of the FIM Endurance World Championship will open in France April 17-18 with the 24Heures Motos at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans.
Three major races return to the calendar in 2021 after being postponed in 2020.
The 8 Hours of Oschersleben is scheduled for Sunday, May 23 in Germany.
The FIM EWC will once again stage the Suzuka 8 Hours, to be held in Japan on Sunday, July 18 just before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.
The Bol d’Or will take place on the Paul Ricard Circuit at Le Castellet in France September 18-19.
As in 2020, the 12 Hours of Estoril wraps up the 2021 season in Portugal. The race will be held on Saturday, October 16 at the circuit near Lisbon.
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events: “We have not put the pandemic behind us as yet, but ensuring the sport’s continuity remains a priority for 2021. Every single race will take place as scheduled whatever the conditions of spectator attendance at the circuits, and the 2021 calendar will help teams keep their costs in check. All of the championship’s big classic races are back to offer fans an exciting show ahead of the first-ever 24H de Spa Motos in June 2022.”
Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM: “Once again we will do everything possible to ensure that the FIM Endurance World Championship has a worthy calendar, one that can offer all the protagonists a balanced and exciting competition. Even if the pandemic is not over, the FIM and Eurosport Events are continuing to work tirelessly to deliver an unforgettable show thanks to the ongoing support of the organizers and National Federations in each country.”
2021 FIM EWC Provisional Calendar
April 17-18 |
24 Heures Motos |
Le Mans, France |
May 23 |
8 Hours of Oschersleben |
Germany |
July 18 |
Suzuka 8 Hours |
Japan |
Sept 18-19 |
Bol d’Or (24h) |
Le Castellet, France |
*Oct 16 |
12 Hours of Estoril |
Estoril, Portugal |
* Race on Saturday
For more information, visit www.fimewc.com