India to host Motogp race in 2023, MOU signed for seven years

paris: Motogp is hopeful India will soon be hosting a round of the world championship, promoter Dorna’s boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said on Wednesday.

Motogp commercial rights owner Dorna Sports S.L. and Noida-based race promoters Fairstreet Sports on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to host the premier two-wheel racing event in India for the next seven years.

Ridersfromasmanyas19countrieswillparticipate in the event, which will give a major push to trade and tourism in the country, besides generating employment. Ater a recent visit to New Delhi’s Buddh International Circuit, the likely venue to stage a Motogp, Dorna envisaged an Indian Grand Prix “in the near future”.

Noting the “hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles on its roads”, Ezpeleta said the arrival of the world championship would be “an incredible spectacle for our fans” and allow the sport to grow in the region.

“Racing in India would be a reflection of our commitment to open the doors to the sport as widely as we can, and would be an important achievement for the championship,” added the Spaniard.

“India could potentially be one of Motogp’s biggest markets in terms of viewership as well as revenue,” forecast India’s Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur.

The Buddh International track has already played host to Formula One, staging three F1 grands prix between 2011 and 2013. Motogp is seeking to enhance its global appeal and this month signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to bring the championship to the kingdom soon.

‘SUPER-HOT’ TITLE RACE HEADS TO JAPAN: A thrilling Motogp season moves to Japan this weekend ater world champion Fabio Quartararo crashed in Aragon to blow the title race wide open with five grands prix to go.

The Frenchman still heads the standings but his lead has been slashed to 10 points by hardcharging Italian Francesco Bagnaia and Spain’s Aleix Espargaro is also firmly in the title hunt.

Ducati rider Bagnaia had ramped up the pressure on Yamaha’s Quartararo by winning four races in a row going into last weekend at Aragon, Spain, where Quartararo made a spectacular and painful first-lapexitaterclippingthehondaofsix-timeworld champion Marc Marquez. Bagnaia was denied a fith win by Bastianini on the last lap ater a nervejangling duel, but second place was good enough to tighten the squeeze on the shaken Quartararo and the Italian now has all the momentum.