Video: Which circuits should be on MotoGP calendar?

Wiℱth the 2020 MotoGP sea⛦son delayed due to the coronavirus crisis, the calendar is set to undergo a major reshuffle.

But in an ide𒀰al world, which circuits would you like to see on the grand prix calendar?

We've listed some of our suggestions in the🦩 video below:

Portimao

Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, 2008 United States MotoGP, Laguna Seca,
Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, 2008 United States MotoGP, Laguna Seca,
© Gold and Goose Photography

With the 2020 MotoGP seas🌄on delayed due to the coronavirus crisis, the calendar is set to unde♏rgo a major reshuffle.

But in an ideal wo༺rld, which circuits would you like to see on the grand prix calendar?

We've listed s꧙ome of our suggestions in☂ the video below:

Portimao

Of all the venues on this hypothetical list, this circuit is the most likely to become a reality for MotoGP given circuit officials are already in talks with Dorna, while provisional plans are taking shape to see the circ♐uits across the Iberian peninsula share calendar slots over a five-year period – guaranteeing each circuit thr👍ee races in that timeframe.

The Portuguese circuit holds top grade licences from both the FꦛIA and FIM as it looks to restore itself as a venue for premier class motorsport.

Constructed in 2008, the motorcyc෴le layout of 4.658km offers a rollercoast♈er-style ride which remains incredibly popular since returning to the World Superbike championship calendar in 2017.

With its extensive hotel complex, close proximity to an international airport and suitable climate, the Algarve track has oft𓄧en been a favourable venue for both racing and testing, while it also offers up a new Grand Prix venue for the sport given its history in the country has stuck exclusively to 𝔍Estoril.

The circuit also provides undulat💫ing straights and corners which on the current MotoGP calendar are in short supply, therefore providing both rider𝓰s and teams new challenges.

Bathurst

Another circuit which offers plenty of climbs and drops is Australia’s iconic Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, and while it st🎃ill remains a popular venue for closed cockpit car racing, it was originally created 🦋for motorcycle racing in the 1930s.

Largely unalte🅰red since then, the Mount Panorama circuit is a public roads course 6.213km long with a 174-metre difference between its highest and lowest points to provide a stunning backdrop.

Across the 1970s and 1980s Bathurst remained a key fixture on the racing calendar over Easter weekends each year to enjoy the last of the Australian autumn sunshine, which g🏅ained comparisons to the Isle of Man TT pitting a varieꦇty of motorcycle productions against each other.

A number of famous riders have also competed at Bathurst, either as legends of the sport or youngsters cutting their teeth, including a certain Mick Doohan who won the 19❀88 1000cc Australian Grand Prix held in a TT format which helped lead him💫 to the world championship Grand Prix arena the year after.

With the tight and twisty road sect🐎ion at the top of the mountain posing a particularly high safety hurdle, the circuit is unlikely to be welcoming the MotoGP paddock anytime soon, but the raw speed and sights would make Bathurst a spect𓆉acular venue.

Laguna Seca

A circuit with a relative🙈ly short MotoGP record but it remaꦬins home to arguably the most famous overtakes in the sport’s history.

Having hosted the 500cc and 250cc classes between 1988 to ဣ1991, before briefly accommodating the full paddock in 1993 and 1994, MotoGP ret♚urned with the premier class only from 2005 to 2013.

From Nicky Hayden’s maiden MotoGP victory to Valentino Rossi vs Casey Stoner in 2008 featuring the iconic Corkscrew overtake, Laguna🌜 Seca’s final Grand Prix saw Marc Marquez pull off a Rossi-style Corkscrew move but this time on the Italian himself.

Back in 2013 it was one of three MotoGP venues in the United States alongside th🌊e new Circuit of the Americas and Indianapolis Motor Speedway meaning the stateside fixtures had become oversaturated, while safety concerns also grew at Laguna Seca.

But with The Brickyard no longer a stop-off point on the MotoGP calendar and COTA receiving mixed reviews at best from the riders, Laguna Seca would be a popular inclusion on the calendar for all involved thanks to its stunning high-speed sections punctuated 🐭by the tighter cornerꦇ complexes and iconic Corkscrew drop.

Spa-Francorchamps

30 ye๊ars ago, Spa-Francorchamps was an almost ever-present circuit on the ꧅motorcycle Grand Prix calendar stretching all the way back to 1921.

But during a calendar fallout in 199🦂0, Spa-Francorchamps was lost t♑o Grand Prix racing as its deal coincided with falling attendances while Formula 1’s Belgian GP at the same venue remained very popular.

Once again, safety concerns have halted any hopes of MotoGP returning to the track, while it also does not have a sufficient FIM circuit lice🎐nce, but discussions on track improvements have begun to give light towards a potential MotoGP comeback. Last year it was also reported Spa’s local government is willing to financiꦑally back a move to see MotoGP return to the Belgian track from 2024.

While many of the circuits MotoGP currently shares with F1 have lost popularity over the years, on 🐬paper Spa actually suits two-wheels with its combination of fast, flowing and undulating layout offe𝔉ring sections of track which would play to the different strengths of each manufacturer.

Salzburgring

While MotoGP’s return to Austria has been a welcomed addition on the current calendar at the revamped Red Bull Ring, many still dream of heading back to anothe🍒r of the classic Grand Prix venues.

Th🍬e Salzburgringℱ happily hosted 24 Grand Prix weekends between 1971 and 1994 and became an all-time favourite thanks to its old-school layout deep into the Austrian forests.

With rapid straights connected by high-speed ꦅchicanes and banked bends, Barry Sheene described it as like “threading a motorcycle through the eye꧃ of a needle at 180mph” all while battling for position in between the armco barriers.

While the 💟circuit remains in use, mainly for four-wheel motorsport, the 4.225km track has somewhat fallen by the wayside with the big money-backed Red Bull Ring taking its place as the home of the Austrian GP by offering its own version of high-speed wheel-to-wheel action.

Read More