Valencia (Spain) (AFP)

The 2021 MotoGP championship will have 20 races, according to a provisional calendar published on Friday by its organizer who said that three circuits were registered in reserve in case a scheduled round is canceled.

"All dates and circuits, as well as the possibility of welcoming the public, are subject to the evolution of the pandemic (of coronavirus) and to the approval of governments and local authorities", it was stressed. same source.

"We are trying to get back to a normal situation and we have spoken to all the promoters to establish a timetable because it is important to block the dates and to know exactly which days there will be Grand Prix", underlined Carmelo Ezpeleta, the CEO. de la Dorna which organizes the championship.

It is scheduled to begin as usual in Qatar on March 28 with a night race and end on November 14 in Valencia (Spain).

The location and date of an event have yet to be announced.

This year, the coronavirus pandemic has shaken the schedule.

Almost all the events outside Europe were canceled with the exception of Qatar where only the Moto2 and Moto3 races could be held.

The MotoGP championship now has 14 rounds this season - several taking place on the same circuits - and will end on November 22 in Portugal.

Most of the events were also held behind closed doors.

"We hope that we can stick to it. Obviously there is a lot that we don't know yet and that's why we put three Grand Prix in reserve so that they can take place if necessary taking take into account the meteorological conditions of the different countries ", underlined Mr. Ezpeleta.

Among these three circuits are two newcomers, the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia and the Igora circuit in Russia near Saint Petersburg.

Provisional calendar of the MotoGP 2021 championship:

March 28 Qatar (Losail, night race)

April 11: Argentina (Termas de Río Hondo)

April 18: United States (Austin)

May 2: Spain (Jerez)

May 16: France (Le Mans)

May 30: Italy (Mugello)

June 6: Catalonia (Barcelona)

June 20: Germany (Sachsenring)

June 27: Netherlands (Assen)

July 11 Finland (KymiRing), subject to homologation

August 15: Austria (Spielberg)

August 29: Great Britain (Silverstone)

September 12: Aragon (Alcaniz)

September 19: San Marino (Misano)

October 3: Japan (Motegi)

October 10: Thailand (Buriram)

October 24: Australia (Phillip Island)

October 31: Malaysia (Sepang)

November 14: Valencian Community (Ricardo Tormo circuit)

The place and date of a 20th event have yet to be announced.

It will probably be held after the Finnish GP on July 11 and before the Austrian GP on August 15.

Races registered in reserve:

Portugal (Portimao), Indonesia (Mandalika) and Russia (Saint Petersburg)

© 2020 AFP