In a near unheard of move, the 2018 MotoGP British GP at Silverstone was axed due to poor riding conditions.
Warm-up was completed and the twenty-lap MotoGP race had been moved to the start of the programme to avoid the worst of the forecast but the rainfall was relentless and after a sighting lap where the bikes were clearly aquaplaning the first of a day-long delay process began.
At 16.00 GMT Race Direction cancelled the event with track conditions deemed unsafe due to drainage issues, and with the rain itself failing to let off, the start was delayed repeatedly before the entire British GP was ultimately cancelled by the Race Direction.
Ducati Team Riders Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso had qualified at the front of the grid with Yamaha rider Johann Zarco in 3rd spot. Lorenzo was continuing his hot form to take pole position but was realistic about the decision not to race.“Yesterday’s weather forecast turned out to be right and it rained all day today, Lorenzo commented after the cancellation of the GP. We only managed to do the warm-up in dry conditions and then it didn’t stop raining and the track was in a bad condition. This confirmed that the asphalt wasn’t draining well and as time went by the situation didn’t improve. When it was late, the riders met with the Race Direction and we decided to cancel the race because the track didn’t offer the right conditions to race in safety.”
Marc Marquez continues to lead the championship with 201 points, followed by Valentino Rossi on 142 points, and Jorge Lorenzo on 130 points.
The last time a MotoGP race was cancelled was the 1980 GP at the Salzbergring in Austria.
