A NEW motorcycle road race is planning to launch on the Isle of Wight later this year.

Organisers of Isle of Wight Road Races today announced they are on target to host an elite-level motorcycle road race.

Plans are well developed, they said, but it will depend on coronavirus restrictions being relaxed later this year.

The news comes just days after the inaugural Diamond Races was postponed to 2022.

A spokesperson for IW Road Races said: “All live events have been severely affected by the pandemic and we’re no exception.

"We’ve used the past six months to build important relationships locally and in the world of motorcycle racing.

"We’re determined to keep the Isle of Wight firmly on the UK’s motorsport map.”

The latest lockdown has seen changes to the event team and aspects of the race itself.

Full details of the revised plans will not be announced until local consultation has been undertaken.

The spokesman continued: “In some ways we need to start over, but while plans have been disrupted, our resolve is as strong as ever.

"There’s been an amazing level of support shown on and off the Island. Our aim is that the Isle of Wight and its community can sit at the centre of this event, which has safety at its heart.”

The proposal is likely to go before the Isle of Wight's Safety Advisory Group.