Design & Development

MotoGP cancels inaugural Kazakhstan race due to delays

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This year’s planned MotoGP motorcycle-racing series race in Kazakhstan has been cancelled following delays in development work at the Sokol International Racetrack near Almaty.

The event was scheduled to take place over the weekend of July 8-9 after MotoGP announced last September that the circuit had struck a five-year deal to bring the series to Kazakhstan for the first time.

The latest news was confirmed with a joint statement by the series’ promoter Dorna Sports, the sport’s global governing body the FIM, and the IRTA teams’ association.

“Ongoing homologation works at the circuit, paired with current global operational challenges, have obliged the cancellation of the 2023 event,” the statement read.

“MotoGP looks forward to visiting Sokol International Racetrack in 2024 to welcome a new region to the calendar. The event will not be replaced in 2023.”

The brand-new motorsport complex is being designed by Herman Tilke and, with a track of nearly 4.5km, is set to be a Grade 2 circuit under motorsport’s global governing body, the FIA.

With MotoGP set to stage its first race at the circuit next year, Kazakhstan will become the 30th country to host a motorcycle-racing grand prix since 1949.