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Moto GP Bharat: MotoGP India Delayed to 2025

PTI

Bezzecchi in action in the MotoGP race at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida in 2023.
Bezzecchi racing at the Buddh International Circuit in 2023.

The India round of the MotoGP championship, originally scheduled for September, has been moved to March 2025, local race promoters informed PTI on Tuesday.

Reports had surfaced that the promoters hadn't paid all their dues to rights holders Dorna after the first race last year, creating uncertainty over the second edition planned for September 20-22.

However, in a meeting on Tuesday with all stakeholders – Dorna, co-promoters Fairstreet Sports, and the Uttar Pradesh government – it was decided to shift the race to an unspecified date in March.

"It was mutually decided to move the race to March next year. We are considering the first or second week of March. All stakeholders, including Dorna, agreed that September weather is not suitable for the race and is tough on riders and marshals as experienced last year," Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava told PTI.

When asked if the delay was due to unpaid dues, Srivastava clearly said, "No."

"All payments have been made, and whatever remains will be paid by next month. That wasn't a factor in shifting the race to next year. We also considered November, but that would have meant four back-to-back races, which would be tough on teams and riders," said Srivastava.

More than 50,000 fans attended the inaugural race at the Buddh International Circuit, filling half of the venue.

"We expect more fans in March as the weather will be better," said Srivastava.

The current season began in Doha on March 10, and the organizers can schedule the India round for the following week. Before the 2023 edition, Dorna and local promoters signed a seven-year deal to hold the race in India.

The Uttar Pradesh government, a sponsor last year, is now a co-promoter, raising hopes for the event's long-term future.

The 2023 MotoGP round in India, won by Marco Bezzecchi, was the biggest motorsports event in the country since the last Formula 1 race in 2013. Formula 1 lasted only three years in India due to financial and tax issues.