• Event had originally be scheduled for next month
• Race will now take place on 2 October

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan have caused next month's round of the MotoGP world championship to be rearranged for 2 October.

The event was originally scheduled for 24 April at the Motegi circuit 90 miles north of Tokyo, but has been postponed following a request from the promoters to the FIM, the sport's governing body.

The FIM confirmed a combination of the problems caused by the natural disasters and radiation leaks from nuclear plants had caused the race organisers to reschedule.

A volcanic eruption in Iceland and the subsequent chaos caused to air travel forced last year's race to be put back to October.

The new MotoGP season is due to get under way at Losail in Qatar on Sunday when Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo will begin the defence of his title.