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MotoGP’s Kazakhstan GP has been punted from the Grand Prix list, removing the country from being the 30th to participate in the iconic Grand Prix Motorsports efforts – and Dorna Sports, MotoGP’s commercial rights’ holder, is citing “ongoing homologation works at the circuit” and “current global operational challenges” as their reason for cutting the round out of the MotoGP calendar.
Lorenzo visiting the Sokol Racetrack. Media sourced from MotoGP.
To be fair, we’ve been keeping an eye on the Russo-Ukraine War for a while now; Kazakhstan has been left in a purportedly “precarious position,” having to “cautiously navigate political change both domestically and in its foreign policy” (via coverage from the European Council on Foreign Relations).
It stands to reason, then, that MotoGP (and Dorna Sports) would be playing safe in any relevant contract negotiations – especially when the word is that Kazakhstan still has relatively strong ties to Russia (via Dustin Wheelen in an article off RideApart)
A view of the Sokol International Racetrack in Kazakhstan. Media sourced from Asphalt & Rubber.
“As summer swiftly approaches, the series opted to abandon regulatory endeavors of the 2.8-mile, 13-corner circuit,” states Wheelen.
“The country’s Sokol International Racetrack previously stood to become the 74th venue to hold a Grand Prix since 1949… Schedule coordinators won’t replace the race either, reducing the total number of 2023 Grands Prix to 20.”
A view of the Sokol International Racetrack in Kazakhstan. Media sourced from GPOne.
Our good MotoGP may only have 20 rounds for his season, but we’ve heard that all eligible parties are looking forward to “visiting Sokol International Racetrack in 2024.”
Fingers crossed for Kazakhstan during this time, and all the best to our good riders!
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Lorenzo visiting the Sokol Racetrack. Media sourced from MotoGP.
To be fair, we’ve been keeping an eye on the Russo-Ukraine War for a while now; Kazakhstan has been left in a purportedly “precarious position,” having to “cautiously navigate political change both domestically and in its foreign policy” (via coverage from the European Council on Foreign Relations).
It stands to reason, then, that MotoGP (and Dorna Sports) would be playing safe in any relevant contract negotiations – especially when the word is that Kazakhstan still has relatively strong ties to Russia (via Dustin Wheelen in an article off RideApart)
A view of the Sokol International Racetrack in Kazakhstan. Media sourced from Asphalt & Rubber.
“As summer swiftly approaches, the series opted to abandon regulatory endeavors of the 2.8-mile, 13-corner circuit,” states Wheelen.
“The country’s Sokol International Racetrack previously stood to become the 74th venue to hold a Grand Prix since 1949… Schedule coordinators won’t replace the race either, reducing the total number of 2023 Grands Prix to 20.”
A view of the Sokol International Racetrack in Kazakhstan. Media sourced from GPOne.
Our good MotoGP may only have 20 rounds for his season, but we’ve heard that all eligible parties are looking forward to “visiting Sokol International Racetrack in 2024.”
Fingers crossed for Kazakhstan during this time, and all the best to our good riders!
*Media sourced from The Astana Times, GPOne, and Visordown*
The post MotoGP Scraps Kazakhstan Round appeared first on webBikeWorld.
Continue reading...
