KymiRing welcome if 'more races, less tests'

MotoGP riders Marc Marquez, Danilo Petrucci and Fabio Quartararo all welcome the addition of the KymiRing to the 2020 MotoGP calendar, provided it means less testing.

As long as the necessary construction work is completed and next month's MotoGP test goes smoothly, the Finnish circuit is set to join the world championship next season.

KymiRing welcome if 'more races, less tests'

MotoGP riders Marc Marquez, Danilo Petrucci and Fabio Quartararo all welcome the addition of the KymiRing to the 2020 MotoGP calendar, provided it means less testing.

As long as the necessary construction work is completed and next month's MotoGP test goes smoothly, the Finnish circuit is set to join the world championship next season.

While there are rumours the KymiRing might replace Brno - the August test date is expected to replicate its place on the race calendar - if all current venues do remain it will mean a record 20 grands prix next year.

"It looks like they will be ready," said Honda's reigning world champion Marc Marquez, referring to the recent inspection of the KymiRing circuit by FIM and Dorna staff. "Of course now they are not yet 100% but we saw some photos already and the space, everything, looks very, very nice.

"Then of course the asphalt will be very important because in winter time it gets very cold and then it will need to be perfect for the summer when we will be there. Of course, Dorna need to confirm all the information after the test.

"But it looks like every year we are going to more and more races and less testing, which for me is the right way."

Ducati's Danilo Petrucci is also happy to see a different country join the calendar, especially if it is at the expense of a test.

"We just saw the layout and some photos, we don’t have any other information. For sure the important thing is that the track and the structure is good for MotoGP.

"I think it's good to bring MotoGP to many other nations. I think every rider is happy to go racing in some new parts of the world and, yes, maybe we will have the chance to have a test less and race more on the calendar."

"Like Danilo and Marc, for me more races and less tests is good," agreed rookie Fabio Quartararo. "We saw some pictures of the layout and I just hope we go in the summer!"

MotoGP currently holds two pre-season tests (Sepang and Qatar), followed by post-race tests at Jerez, Barcelona and Brno, a standalone in-season test at Misano and finally post-season tests at Valencia and Jerez. 

It is thought that, as the calendar grows to a rumoured 22 rounds, MotoGP would like to cut out all in-season testing and leave only Valencia and Sepang as winter tests.

The KymiRing test, which will only be for MotoGP test riders, takes place on August 19-20.

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