MotoGP News: Jerez secures deal to host two races in July

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced the opening 11 rounds of the season to be scrubbed from their original slot, with the Qatar, Dutch, German and Finnish Grands Prix cancelled outright for this year.

Dorna has been working towards setting a 10-12-race revised calendar centred in Europe, with it initially aiming to get the campaign going at the start of August with the Czech and Austrian Grands Prix.

However, following a virtual meeting on Thursday, Dorna has agreed a two-race deal with Spanish GP venue Jerez - which was due to stage its round last weekend - to begin the season on 19 July with the Spanish Grand Prix, and the Grand Prix of Andalusia on 26 July.

Should the Spanish Government approve the proposal, it will then need to be signed off by MotoGP's governing body the FIM.

"In the morning of today (Thursday) the Andalusian Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, the Jerez City Council and the Dorna company, have reached an agreement to hold two rounds of the MotoGP World Championship in the Jerez Circuit, on 19 and 26 July", explained the vice president of the Andalusian Government, Juan Marín.

"From this moment on, we have to transfer, both to the government of Spain and, through the Dorna company, to the International Federation (FIM), the request to carry out all the actions and requirements necessary to guarantee security and greet all the participants and teams that will be in Andalusia this summer.

"I think it is magnificent news and we want to thank the City Council because we know the effort that is made in the organisation of these events, as well as Dorna for relying on the Jerez Circuit again."

Last month, doubt was cast on their being any races in Spain this year after the country's government mooted the possibility of a ban on tourism until next year.

Dorna has outlined a reduced paddock size of around 1600 personnel to cover all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams, as well as Dorna's on television crew.

It is also looking to buy 10,000 COVID-19 test kits to regularly monitor paddock personnel.

Jerez is also due to host the second round of the 2020 World Superbike Championship on 2 August.