The British and the Australian MotoGPs were both cancelled on Friday as the coronavirus continued to cut a swathe through international motorsport.

The British race at Silverstone was scheduled for August 28-30, while the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was due to take place from October 23-25.

"We're saddened to have to announce the cancellation of these iconic events," Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports, said in a statement.

Organisers were unable to find a "way through the logistical and operational issues resulting from the pandemic and rearranged calendar", Ezpeleta said.

Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle said he was "extremely disappointed about the cancellation of the British MotoGP... but we support the decision that has had to be taken at this exceptional time".

Paul Little, chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, also expressed disappointment but backed the decision to cancel.

"We're very disappointed that MotoGP fans throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally won't get the chance to make the pilgrimage to see the world's best riders compete on one of the best circuits anywhere in the world, but the right decision has been made," Little said.

Globe-trotting MotoGP and Formula One have both been battered by the coronavirus shutdown, with their seasons yet to start and the prospect of a drastically rejigged schedule in the second half of the year.

The British and the Australian MotoGPs were both cancelled on Friday as the coronavirus continued to cut a swathe through international motorsport. The British race at Silverstone was scheduled for August 28-30, while the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was due to take place from October 23-25.

The British and the Australian MotoGPs were both cancelled on Friday as the coronavirus continued to cut a swathe through international motorsport. The British race at Silverstone was scheduled for August 28-30, while the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was due to take place from October 23-25. "We're saddened to have to announce the cancellation of these iconic events," Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports, said in a statement. Organisers were unable to find a "way through the logistical and operational issues resulting from the pandemic and rearranged calendar", Ezpeleta said. Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle said he was "extremely disappointed about the cancellation of the British MotoGP... but we support the decision that has had to be taken at this exceptional time". Paul Little, chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, also expressed disappointment but backed the decision to cancel. "We're very disappointed that MotoGP fans throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally won't get the chance to make the pilgrimage to see the world's best riders compete on one of the best circuits anywhere in the world, but the right decision has been made," Little said. Globe-trotting MotoGP and Formula One have both been battered by the coronavirus shutdown, with their seasons yet to start and the prospect of a drastically rejigged schedule in the second half of the year.

British, Australian MotoGPs cancelled over virus

Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez&#39;s gamble on using slick tyres paid off when he stormed to pole position for this weekend&#39;s Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, on a Repsol Honda, clocked the fastest lap of one minute 30.189 seconds amid threatening rain to start on the inside of the grid for Sunday&#39;s race.

It was Marquez&#39;s 37th MotoGP pole as he vies for his 30th career premier class win at Phillip Island.

British Honda rider Cal Crutchlow was second ahead of Spain&#39;s Monster Yamaha racer Pol Espargaro and both will start off the front row in Sunday&#39;s race.

The two-part qualifying session played out under the threat of heavy rain but Marquez, who clinched his third MotoGP world title last weekend in Japan, took the risk and ran with slick tyres on the dry track surface.

His gamble paid off when he reeled off four fastest lap times before finishing 0.792seconds ahead of Crutchlow at the end of Q2.

&quot;It was a little bit difficult because there was some rain coming off the sea and you could see the heavy rain was coming,&quot; Marquez said.

&quot;I thought I would take the risk because the track was completely dry and then I did some pretty fast laps and right at the end the tyre started to spin too much.

&quot;I am very happy with the pole position and we will see tomorrow if the track is dry because nobody knows yet about the tyres and how we are going to manage the race.&quot;

Marquez rode one of his greatest races to pip Jorge Lorenzo by just 0.249 seconds in last year&#39;s Phillip Island race and his Repsol Honda bike looks superior to the others this weekend.

Crutchlow, who topped the Q1 session to advance into the second qualifying session along with Lorenzo, ran with intermediate tyres and was always in the top three in the final session.

Lorenzo could only finish 12th in Q2, some 6.6 seconds behind Marquez, while his Movistar team-mate and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi failed to make it into the final qualifying session and will start 15th on the grid for Sunday&#39;s race.

(AFP)

Marc Marquez clocked the fastest lap of one minute 30.189 seconds despite slick tyres and heavy rain

Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez's gamble on using slick tyres paid off when he stormed to pole position for this weekend's Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island on Saturday. The 23-year-old Spaniard, on a Repsol Honda, clocked the fastest lap of one minute 30.189 seconds amid threatening rain to start on the inside of the grid for Sunday's race. It was Marquez's 37th MotoGP pole as he vies for his 30th career premier class win at Phillip Island. British Honda rider Cal Crutchlow was second ahead of Spain's Monster Yamaha racer Pol Espargaro and both will start off the front row in Sunday's race. The two-part qualifying session played out under the threat of heavy rain but Marquez, who clinched his third MotoGP world title last weekend in Japan, took the risk and ran with slick tyres on the dry track surface. His gamble paid off when he reeled off four fastest lap times before finishing 0.792seconds ahead of Crutchlow at the end of Q2. "It was a little bit difficult because there was some rain coming off the sea and you could see the heavy rain was coming," Marquez said. "I thought I would take the risk because the track was completely dry and then I did some pretty fast laps and right at the end the tyre started to spin too much. "I am very happy with the pole position and we will see tomorrow if the track is dry because nobody knows yet about the tyres and how we are going to manage the race." Marquez rode one of his greatest races to pip Jorge Lorenzo by just 0.249 seconds in last year's Phillip Island race and his Repsol Honda bike looks superior to the others this weekend. Crutchlow, who topped the Q1 session to advance into the second qualifying session along with Lorenzo, ran with intermediate tyres and was always in the top three in the final session. Lorenzo could only finish 12th in Q2, some 6.6 seconds behind Marquez, while his Movistar team-mate and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi failed to make it into the final qualifying session and will start 15th on the grid for Sunday's race. (AFP)

Australian MotoGP: Marquez achieves pole position

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British, Australian MotoGPs cancelled over virus

Australian MotoGP: Marquez achieves pole position