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Austin's MotoGP Race Postponed Until November Due To Coronavirus Concerns

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The world championship motorcycle race in Austin was originally scheduled for April 3-5.

The Americas Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas has been postponed until November due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, MotoGP said.

The world championship motorcycle race was originally scheduled for April 3-5. Event organizers said on the MotoGP website that the race will now take place Nov. 13-15. The Austin race was to be the first race of the season after MotoGP canceled two other races due to coronavirus fears.

Now, with the postponement, Argentina will take COTA's placeat the front of the pack, and Austin moves to the second-to-last position.

While organizers no longer release attendance counts, the Austin American-Statesman reportedtrack officials estimated more than 130,000 people attended the race in 2016.

The decision to delay the race came on the heels of the cancellation of this year's South by Southwest festival, announced Friday. 

On Tuesday, Travis County decided to extend its state of emergency for large-scale events indefinitely. The declaration prohibits events that draw more than 2,500 people, unless event organizers have a plan to reduce coronavirus public health risks.

This post has been updated.

The world championship motorcycle race was originally scheduled for April 3-5. Event organizers said on the MotoGP website that the race will now take place Nov. 13-15. The Austin race was to be the first race of the season after MotoGP canceled two other races due to coronavirus fears.

The decision to delay the race came on the heels of the cancellation of this year's South by Southwest festival, announced Friday. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Andy Jechow is the audience engagement editor for KUT News. Got a tip? Email him at andy@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter at @AndyJechow.
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