Earlier this month, the coronavirus pandemic forced organisers of the Intermot motorcycle trade show to cancel the 2020 edition of the biennial event. Now, organisers have announced that EICMA 2020 has been cancelled as well. This means two of the biggest motorcycle shows will not take place in this calendar year.

The 78th edition of EICMA was scheduled to take place between November 3-8, 2020, in Milan, but has now been postponed to November 9-4  2021. In a press statement, the organisers said, “The value and international leadership of our exhibition-event has convinced us not to wager on the evolution of the health situation linked to the COVID-19 emergency and, above all, to listen to and protect the whole of the two-wheeler industry. Responsibility has been imposed on us and makes us act on a wide scale in the interest of the exhibitors and our visitors, postponing the 2020 show with a solid convergence of intentions.”

EICMA is a major event and attracts thousands of visitors, making it an unsafe environment considering the current situation. Another reason behind pulling the plug on this year's event could be the economic impact on motorcycle manufacturers across the globe. The pandemic has caused sales to plummet and companies such as Triumph Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson have also been forced to cut jobs. In the midst of financial constraints, it would've been difficult for manufacturers to participate in the event.