2016 MotoGP Schedule | Indy Canceled, Austria Added
Story updated by Ultimate MotorCycling February 10 after finalization by Dorna, the governing body of MotoGP
The official MotoGP Schedule 2016 was released Wednesday, and once again features 18 rounds. But it arrives with some sad news for stateside fans – after eight years of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, MotoGP will not return to the Indiana circuit in 2016.
This was decided after Dorna – the governing body of MotoGP – and officials at Indianapolis Motor Speedway decided to cancel the Red Bull Indy MotoGP.
“Bringing MotoGP to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been a tremendously rewarding experience,” says Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports Chief Executive Officer. “The historic track, professional staff and welcoming host community produced an annual event that was enjoyed by all. While both sides recognize it’s the right time to pause this relationship, the door is not closed on future collaborations together should current circumstances change.”
The USA once had three stateside races: Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. But California’s Laguna Seca was diced from the schedule for 2014, and now Indy for 2016. The only stateside circuit remaining is the Circuit of the Americas, which is set for April 3.
Replacing Indy MotoGP, which usually kicked off the second half of the season after the summer break, is the Red Bull Ring in Austria – a new circuit for MotoGP. This will be the first time Grand Prix motorcycle racing has visited Austria in 19 years. Once known as Österreichring, the Spielberg circuit was rebuilt and reopened in 2011 as the Red Bull Ring. Repsol Honda uses the circuit for testing.
All other 17 rounds remain the same on the 2016 MotoGP schedule. The season opener is set for March 20, 2016, under the lights at Losail International Circuit in Qatar, and the 2016 MotoGP Calendar concludes Nov. 13, 2016, at Valencia.
MotoGP Schedule 2016
Round | Date | Grand Prix | Venue |
1 | March 20 | Qatar* | Losail International Circuit |
2 | April 3 | Argentina | Termas de Río Hondo |
3 | April 10 | Americas | Circuit Of The Americas |
4 | April 24 | Spain | Circuito de Jerez |
5 | May 8 | France | Le Mans |
6 | May 22 | Italy | Autodromo del Mugello |
7 | June 5 | Catalunya | Barcelona-Catalunya |
8 | June 26 | Netherlands | TT Circuit Assen |
9 | July 17 | Germany | Sachsenring |
10 | August 14 | Austria | Red Bull Ring – Spielberg |
11 | August 21 | Czech Republic | Automotodrom Brno |
12 | September 4 | Great Britain | Silverstone Circuit |
13 | September 11 | San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini | Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli |
14 | September 25 | Aragon | MotorLand Aragon |
15 | October 16 | Japan | Twin Ring Motegi |
16 | October 23 | Australia | Phillip Island |
17 | October 30 | Malaysia | Sepang International Circuit |
18 | November 13 | Valencia | Comunitat Valenciana – Ricardo Tormo |