Jorge Lorenzo will not make his MotoGP race comeback in 2020

Jorge Lorenzo will not return to the MotoGP grid as planned in 2020 after wild-card outings for all teams were axed as part of plans to limit attendance at circuits this year.

With Dorna busily preparing a much-revised calendar in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and working on a proposal to ensure racing can take place safely behind closed doors, sacrifices are being made where possible.

Among the changes is a regulation that prevents any team from running any more than their two nominated race riders. It means teams will be unable to enter a third bike at any events this year

As such, Lorenzo’s plan to return to the MotoGP grid in his role as Yamaha development rider has been put on hold. The three-time champion, who retired from racing at the conclusion of the 2019 season before re-joining Yamaha, was entered for the Catalunya MotoGP race to compete alongside Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales.

The event would have marked Lorenzo’s first Yamaha race outing since the 2016 Valencia MotoGP round, an event he won before going on to join Ducati.

Though the race has already been postponed from its original scheduled date, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is expected to feature on the revised calendar with a new mid-summer slot.

As well as Lorenzo, it means other regular wild-card entries will face a year on the sidelines, including Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli, Honda’s Stefan Bradl and Ducati Michele Pirro. It also potentially scuppers Lorenzo Savadori’s hopes of making his MotoGP debut as part of his current new Aprilia test rider deal.