New date for 2012 MotoGP season opener

The 2012 MotoGP world championship campaign will kick off one week earlier than anticipated after the Qatar night race was moved to April 8.

The traditional season opening clash at the Losail International Circuit in Doha was scheduled to take place on April 15, but the FIM has announced today it will now be held over Easter weekend on Sunday, April 8.

The rest of the provisional calendar released earlier this year remains unchanged, with the first European race taking place at the Jerez circuit in Spain on April 29.

The Portuguese race scheduled for May 6 in Estoril and the German round due to be staged on July 8 at the Sachsenring remain subject to contract.

Here’s the updated provisional schedule:

8 April, Qatar*
29 April,  Jerez
6 May, Estoril (STC)
20 May, Le Mans
3 June, Catalunya
17 June, Silverstone
30 June, Assen**
8 July, Sachsenring (STC)
15 July, Mugello
29 July, Laguna Seca***
19 August, Indianapolis
26 August, Brno
16 September, Misano
30 September, Motorland Aragon
14 October, Twin Ring Motegi
21 October, Sepang
28 October, Phillip Island
11 November, Valencia

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class
STC (Subject to the contract)