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Motor Cycle Union of Ireland urges Cookstown 100 organisers to ‘please consider cancelling this event’ as Covid-19 cases rise in Northern Ireland

by bishopscourtcircuit / Saturday, 29 August 2020 / Published in Blog / News, Motor Bike Racing, Road Racing

By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter.

The Motor Cycle Union of Ireland has called upon the organisers of the Cookstown 100 to cancel the race in September.

In a letter obtained by the News Letter, the sport’s governing body said the ‘risks in organising events at present are all too obvious’, against the backdrop of a rise in Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland.

The letter, which was signed by MCUI President Jimmy Walker and Honorary Secretary Andrew Campbell, said: “In view of the recently enhanced Covid-19 restrictions together with the news that infections are on the increase, we are of the opinion that the Cookstown Club members should reconsider their present plans to promote their 2020 road race. There will be more opportunities to come.

“The risks in organising events at present are all too obvious and many sporting events are being severely restricted both for participants and spectators while others are taking place behind closed doors or cancelled.”

Highlighting a warning from Health Minister Robin Swann, who said last week that immediate action was needed to halt the further spread of the virus, the letter said the Cookstown Club should ‘seriously consider cancelling this event’.

“Considering the information and warnings emanating from Stormont and the efforts and sacrifices made by the public services and numerous individuals to keep us all safe, we call on the Cookstown Club to please seriously consider cancelling this event.”

New restrictions were introduced in Northern Ireland last week, with the number of people permitted at outdoor gatherings reduced from 30 to 15. However, the revised guideline does not apply to sports events, where spectators are permitted as long as the required risk assessments are carried out, social distancing is applied and hygiene facilities are available.

All Irish national road races in 2020 were cancelled with the exception of the Cookstown 100 and Tandragee 100, which were postponed from April and May respectively.

The Cookstown event is due to take place from September 11-12.