MotoGP to host races in India, Kazakhstan next year

MotoGP will make its debut in India and Kazakhstan in 2023 on a calendar which boasts more races and countries than ever before, it announced on Friday.

The 2023 season will begin with the Portuguese GP on March 24-26 and wrap up in Valencia on November 24-26, according to the 21-race provisional calendar released by MotoGP.

Kazakhstan will become the 30th country to host a motorcycle grand prix since 1949 when the race takes place on July 7-9 at the Sokol International Racetrack, northwest of Almaty.

The Indian GP will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi from September 22-24, while Le Mans will host the 1,000th Grand Prix at the French GP on May 12-14.

“India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world,” Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of commercial rights holders Dorna Sports, said in a statement on Friday.

The 5.14km track on the outskirts of New Delhi held Formula One races between 2011-13 before it was dropped from the calendar.

The Kazakhstan and Indian grands prix are subject to contract and certification, MotoGP said.

PROVISIONAL 2023 MOTOGP CALENDAR

March 26 — Portugal

April 2 — Argentina

April 16 — US

April 30 — Spain (Jerez)

May 14 — France

June 11 — Italy

June 18 — Germany

June 25 — Netherlands

July 9 — Kazakhstan **

August 6 — Britain

August 20 — Austria

September 3 — Spain (Catalunya)

September 10 — San Marino

September 24 — India **

October 1 — Japan

October 15 — Indonesia

October 22 — Australia

October 29 — Thailand

November 12 — Malaysia

November 19 — Qatar *

November 26 — Spain (Valencia)

** Subject to contract and homologation

* Evening race