The provisional calendar for the MotoGP World Championship planned for next season is generally very similar to what we know, apart from the withdrawal of the Czech Republic Grand Prix in Brno. However Portimão, Indonesia and the Igora Drive circuit in Russia are on the list of 'reserve Grand Prix venues'. Let's focus a little on these so-called reserve circuits.
Portimao – Portugal
From 2000 to 2012, Portugal was on the calendar, with the GP taking place in Estoril. However, the circuit most likely to host the future Portuguese GP will be the Algarve International Circuit located north of Portimao, where the 2020 season ended.
Although designed in 2002, this track opened in 2008. Plans were not presented until February 2008 and the circuit was built in just seven months. It covers an area of 300 hectares and can accommodate more than 100 spectators, including a grandstand that can accommodate 000 people.
It is a 4700 meter track running clockwise, with between 15 and 16 curves, most of them to the right, with a width of approximately 14 m. The main track is approved by the FIM for competitive use in World Motorcycling Championship events and has hosted WSBK races in the past, as well as various four-wheel competitions such as WTCC, GP2, Le Le Mans Series or the A1GP. Additionally, it was used as a test track for F1.
But it's not just a speed circuit, since we find other tracks that can be enjoyed by motor sports fans: karting, dirt track and motocross. Additionally, as you would expect for such a resort, it has a luxury hotel, apartments, restaurant and convention centers.
Mandalika/Lombok Tour – Indonesia
Indonesia has already hosted two races counting towards the World Motorcycling Championship. These took place in 1996 and 1997 on the Sentul track. The new GP track will be located in the south of the island of Lombok in Indonesia. The integration of this street circuit into the MotoGP championship promises unparalleled sensations in terms of riding skills and sensations.
Its construction, between hills and beautiful beaches, will include a tourist complex that will offer a wide range of accommodation options next to the circuit. It will also offer entertainment spaces, covering a total of 131 hectares. Its grandstand capacity will be 50 and it will be able to accommodate more than 000 spectators in other areas.
The 4320-meter temporary track will have 19 turns – 13 right and 6 left – and will have a counterclockwise trajectory. As a temporary track, when not in use for motorsport competitions, it will be used as part of the region's road network, much like the 24h of Le Mans racing circuit.
Igora Drive – Russia
The Igora Drive complex, located near St. Petersburg, is the latest modern racetrack facility to spring up in Russia, and perhaps the most impressive. Boasting a speed circuit with multiple possible configurations, alongside karting, motocross, rally tracks, a driving training center and conference rooms, it is a large-scale dedicated complex to the mechanical sport that emerged. It can accommodate up to 50 spectators.
The main circuit layout, which measures 4086 meters, resembles more than a little the design of Motorland Aragon, which is not a bad thing, as it is one of the most successful designs to have great racing , and the designer is none other than Hermann Tilke. However, the Igora Drive circuit does not seem to benefit from the same level of elevation observed on the Spanish site. It has 15 turns – 6 right and 9 left – and runs counterclockwise.
