Carmelo Ezpeleta sure Argentina's Termas de Rio Hondo track will be ready for 2013 MotoGP date

The venue is currently only used for domestic racing and will require a substantial upgrade before it can host MotoGP next year. The event organisers were present at this weekend's Dutch TT to provide an update on progress.

"The feedback we had so far on the work done at the track has been very positive and everything should be ready so we can hold a race there at the beginning of the 2013 season," said Ezpeleta.

Argentina's tourism minister Dr Carlos Enrique Meyer said the Termas de Rio Hondo venue would be a match for the established MotoGP tracks.

"It will be a very important event for Argentina and all of South America, due to its central location," he said.

"We have an agreement for three seasons starting from 2013 and we're preparing some first grade facilities to ensure the Termas de Rio Hondo track matches the standards of international racing.

"We've been learning by looking at other MotoGP venues and I think we'll deliver a great experience, for fans, spectators and riders alike, while building a gateway to a very attractive part of Argentina."

Argentina last hosted grand prix motorcycle racing in 1999 at the Buenos Aires circuit. MotoGP has not raced in South America since Rio's last event in 2004.