Catalunya signs up for shared MotoGP rounds from 2023-2026

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has joined Valencia in signing a new MotoGP contract extension which does not guarantee an event every year.

The new agreement gives the Catalan round a place on the 2022 calendar and a minimum of two more events between 2023 and 2026, when the circuit will 'alternate with other venues on the Iberian peninsula'.

That mirrors the deal signed by Valencia in 2020.

The rotation of the future Spanish (Jerez, Catalunya, Aragon, Valencia) and Portuguese (Portimao) rounds is being done as a compromise to make room for new countries to join the MotoGP calendar, while the existing Iberian circuits at least get to host MotoGP every 2-3 seasons.

All five Spanish/Portuguese venues are listed on the provisional 2022 calendar, with the rotation system set to start from 2023.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been part of the MotoGP World Championship since 1992; first as the European Grand Prix (from 1992-1995) and later the Catalan Grand Prix (from 1996).

The provisional dates for the 2022 event are June 3-5.

Roger Torrent, Catalan Minister of Business and Labour, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya President said: "We are very pleased to continue hosting the most important competition in the world of motorcycling.

"This is great news for the fans of our country, for the international projection of Barcelona and Catalonia, and for the objective of turning the circuit into a strategic piece for the economic and social development linked to the green mobility industry."

The MotoGP contract extension was announced alongside a new F1 deal for the track, for the same 2022-2026 period, but without any rotation clause.

The F1 announcement added that, 'As part of the new agreement, improvements to the track and facilities will be made ahead of the race on 22nd May 2022, including upgrades and improvements towards the circuit’s ambitious sustainability plans.'