Phillip Island bosses have been forced to postpone the annual Classic meeting from its usual January slot with the multi-national Island Challenge cancelled altogether.

General Manager of the circuit, David Bennett, said the ongoing complexities and risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic had halted planning of the historic bike event.

“We had desperately hoped the situation would be different and would have loved to welcome everyone to another Island Classic. But the worsening situation overseas and the ongoing restrictions impacting the events industry locally, has led us to making this difficult decision,” said Bennett.

“We are hopeful of staging an Island Classic in 2021, but not in January. Scheduling though will be subject to state borders reopening, quarantine requirements being lifted and government restrictions easing sufficiently to run a viable event. We have to wait to see how the COVID situation evolves locally in the coming months.

“We will continue to review our options to host an historic race meet at some stage in 2021 and look forward to welcoming Australian riders, historic teams and race fans back to Phillip Island soon.”