Baja TT do Pinhal, round one of the 2020 FIM Cross-Country Bajas World Cup has moved dates due to fire risks locally in Portugal – new race dates just one week later on September 19-20.

The opening round of the 2020 FIM Bajas World Cup was set to mark the return to off-road motorcycle rally competition in Europe after the interruption caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In the end it was a local fire risk that has caused issues for the Baja TT do Pinhal organisers.

Originally scheduled for September 12-13, the event has had to be postponed just one week due to the extension of a fire risk alert situation put in place by the local authorities in Portugal.

An FIM statement explains: “After consultation with the teams, riders and all stakeholders involved and with the agreement of the local authorities, the FIM, the motorcycling federation of Portugal, and the local organiser Escuderia Castelo Branco have decided to postpone the event to 19 / 20 September 2020.”

The news arrives in a week when Covid restrictions in Portugal “takes a step backwards” due to rising cases following children returning to schools and subsequent return to work for many Portuguese residents.

Fingers crossed the situation allows the event, not to mention the EnduroGP back-to-back rounds during November in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal to take place.  

Stay up-to-date on the FIM Baja and Rallies Facebook page.