Qatar double, Portimao on 2021 MotoGP calendar update

The 2021 MotoGP World Championship will now start with back-to-back rounds in Qatar while reserve circuit Portimao has been called up as host for round three, following the official 'postponement' of the Americas and Argentina events.

The updated provisional calendar retains March 28 for the initial Qatar season-opener, with the new 'Doha Grand Prix' added the weekend after. Both will be evening races.

Portimao, which made its MotoGP debut as last year's season finale, now returns on April 18 with Jerez, traditionally the opening round of the European season, retaining it's May 2 race date.

The previous 'To Be Decided' mid-summer event, reserved for Brno, has now been removed, meaning no Czech Republic round. The circuit required a costly resurfacing as a condition of returning for 2021.

Termas de Rio Hondo and Texas are officially postponed 'until the last quarter of 2021' but no new dates have yet been allocated.

Nonetheless, the Qatar double and addition of Portimao means the revised calendar still stands at 19 rounds, which is only one less than the stated maximum of 20 for the year.

The Portimao race leaves Indonesia's Mandalika track as the remaining 2021 reserve circuit, with Russia's Igora Drive Circuit no longer on the updated reserve list.

Last year's world championship featured 14 rounds, all in Europe, with five tracks (Jerez, Red Bull Ring, Misano, Aragon and Valencia) hosting back-to-back events.

With Sepang dropping from the 2021 pre-season testing schedule, Qatar will now host five days of Official tests in early March.