On-off, on-off. Even probably causing the Indian GP to be moved to an entirely different date. That is the saga with the proposed Kazakhstan MotoGP 2024. It has now been completely cancelled and will be replaced by a second outing at Misano.
Kazakhstan had been slated for 2023 but the Sokol International Circuit was deemed not ready. That pushed the round to this year. Unfortunately, an unprecedented flood hit the Central Asian region in May which forced the round slated to begin from 16 June to be cancelled indefinitely.
Then the Indian GP’s organisers threw another curve ball which put it on hold, too. Consequently, Dorna decided to replace the Indian GP scheduled to begin from 2oth September with the Kazakhstan GP. The Indian GP, on the other hand, was moved to March next year.
But that is not the end, as MotoGP issued a statement saying that the Kazakhstan round has been cancelled altogether owing to logistical issues that “have rendered the event impossible to run” after the flooding.
“The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports announce the cancellation of the Grand Prix of Kazakhstan,” the statement reads. “Operational and logistical issues arising from the earlier flooding across the region have rendered the event impossible to hold in 2024.
“Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli will instead host the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix from the 20th to the 22nd of September.
“MotoGP is excited to stage a second event at the iconic Adriatic venue, giving the passionate Italian fanbase a further opportunity to see the world’s most exciting sport in action.”
The revision creates an awkward situation as the World Superbike Championship will also run during the same weekend, albeit on another Italian track, the Cremona Circuit. The first Misano MotoGP round will be held from 6-8 September. So, Italy sees 3 rounds of motorcycle racing in two weeks.
