Official: No Hungarian MotoGP in 2009.

As previously rumoured, the new Hungarian round of the MotoGP World Championship - due to take place in 2009 - has been postponed until 2010.

Reports in February had cast serious doubt on whether the new Balatonring circuit would be finished in time for its debut event.

The official announcement stated that a request for a one year postponement had been made to Dorna by the event promoter due to 'a delay in the construction process that means that the circuit would not be complete in time for the September 20th race, a result of harsh winter weather and the current financial situation that has hit Hungary and affected the funding process.'

The Hungarian round was added to the 2009 MotoGP calendar at the expense of Shanghai, in China. Motorcycle grand prix racing is very popular in Hungary due to the success of 2007 125cc world champion Gabor Talmacsi.

Hungary last played host to a motorcycle grand prix back in 1992, when Eddie Lawson took victory from fellow Americans Doug Chandler and Randy Mamola. That race was only the second held in the country, with the first having taken place in 1990 - both were held at the Hungaroring near Budapest.

The loss of Hungary reduces the 2009 MotoGP calendar to 17 rounds.

The impressive new Portimao circuit in Portugal had been touted as a possible replacement for the Hungarian round, but that would probably require a calendar reshuffle since Estoril is due to host the Portuguese Grand Prix directly after the cancelled Balatonring event on October 4.