2001 calendar confirmed.

Motorcycle racing's governing body has ratified next year's grand prix campaign, confirming the schedule over which Kenny Roberts Jr will defend his crown.

Motorcycle racing's governing body has ratified next year's grand prix campaign, confirming the schedule over which Kenny Roberts Jr will defend his crown.

The FIM released the 16-race calendar over the weekend, but has not included any surprises in terms of venue or date. The Malaysian GP is one of the biggest movers in the schedule, transposing from the beginning of the year in 2000 to the penultimate round in 2001. The switch mirrors that which the Sepang circuit will make in next year's Formula One GP calendar, and completes a four-race flyaway section at the end of the campaign.

Otherwise, mush is as it has always been, with the season starting in the Orient, at Suzuka, and South Africa, at Welkom, before transferring back to Europe for its summer run. Spain retains three rounds - at Jerez, Barcelona and Valencia - for the bike-hungry population, while Estoril retains its autumn spot after a promising debut this season.

The now traditional mid-season break occurs between Germany in late July and the Czech Republic in late August, but the most noticeable other change to the schedule is the late finish it has in Brazil. While the 2000 campaign had been completed by the end of October, the vagaries of the calendar means that next year's season will run to the first weekend on November.

Several venues require their homologation certificates to be reconfirmed, but none are thought to be in too much danger of losing a slot on the calendar.

MotoGP calendar 2001.

April 8 Japanese GP Suzuka*
April 22 South African GP Welkom*
May 6 Spanish GP Jerez de la Frontera*
May 20 French GP Le Mans*
June 3 Italian GP Mugello
June 17 Catalunya GP Barcelona
June 30 Dutch TT Assen
July 8 British GP Donington Park*
July 22 German GP Sachsenring*
August 26 Czech Republic GP Brno
September 9 Portuguese GP Estoril
September 23 GP de Comunitat Valenciana Valencia*
October 7 Pacific GP Twin-Ring Motegi
October 14 Australian GP Phillip Island*
October 21 Malaysian GP Sepang*
November 4 Brazilian GP Jacarepagua*

[* denotes circuit requiring renewal of homologation certificate]

Read More