Portimao replaces Australian GP on 2021 MotoGP calendar

MotoGP has confirmed that a second Portimao race will effectively replace the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on the 2021 schedule.

It was confirmed earlier today that neither of the Formula 1 or MotoGP Australian GPs will take place this season, with both the events cancelled.

That's courtesy of Australia's strict closed border policy amid the global health crisis.

MotoGP has now confirmed two changes in the wake of the Phillip Island round cancellation.

The first is that the Malaysian GP has been moved into the old Australian GP date, 22-24 October, which puts it a week after the Thailand Grand Prix.

Portimao, meanwhile, has been drafted back in for a second time this season, with the circuit set to host the Algarve GP on the 5-7 November. The season will then conclude at the Valencia GP on the 12-14 November.

According to Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, the expectation is that Phillip Island will return to the schedule for the 2022 season.

“We are very sad to announce that we won’t be able to race at the stunning Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in 2021," he said.

"One of our truly emblematic venues that always delivers incredible racing, it’s a favourite for fans worldwide and everyone in the paddock.

“Unfortunately, we will have to wait another year to return to Victoria, but we very much look forward to seeing the Australian fans in 2022 and staging another fantastic event together – this time with two home heroes, Jack Miller and Remy Gardner, on the premier class grid when we return.”

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

MotoGP has already visited Portimao this season back in April, when the circuit hosted the opening European round after the Qatar double-header, with Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo taking victory ahead of Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.

The Algarve circuit made its debut on the MotoGP calendar last year, hosting the 2020 finale, as part of the reshuffled schedule due to the revisions enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. That race, which took place in late November last year, was won by Miguel Oliveira for Tech3 KTM.

Revised 2021 MotoGP calendar:

Date	Venue
28 March	Losail
4 April	Losail
18 April	Algarve
2 May	Jerez
16 May	Le Mans
30 May	Mugello
6 June	Barcelona
20 June	Sachsenring
27 June	Assen
8 August	Red Bull Ring
15 August	Red Bull Ring
29 August	Silverstone
12 September	Aragon
19 September	Misano
3 October	Circuit of the Americas
17 October	Buriram
24 October	Sepang
07 November	Algarve
14 November	Valencia