Valencia returns on revised MotoGP winter testing schedule

While no venues are named in the updated list, the description of a one-day test “following the final event of [the] 2022 season, at the same circuit” means Valencia, which hosts the 2022 finale on November 4-6.

The update also points to the continuation of the Sepang tests, but cancellation of Jerez.

Until 2020, teams and riders remained at Valencia after the traditional season finale to take part in a post-season test, before a further outing at Jerez. But Valencia was then dropped from the winter schedule in favour of a single outing at Jerez, just before the start of the December testing ban.

That decision will now be reversed with Valencia hosting the only post-season 2022 testing action. The reduction to just one day means rookies and any riders switching manufacturers will get only a brief first taste of their revised machinery.

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The Qatar test was due to be removed from the pre-season schedule from 2021 but stayed in place for one more year due to last year's revised Covid calendar. It was then replaced by a one-off visit to Indonesia's new Mandalika circuit in 2022.

In between Valencia and the 2023 season opener will be the usual three-day Shakedown test - for rookies, test riders and any concession manufacturers - followed by an Official test. Again, no venue is listed, but Sepang is expected to remain as the venue. A second Official test will then be held before the season begins.

Just two days of official testing are allowed during the 2023 racing season (the first in-season test of 2022 takes place at Jerez on Monday).

The official press release from the Grand Prix Commission regarding the new official testing schedule can be seen below:

‘Recognising the impact of an increase in the number of events, approval was given to an agreement reached between the teams and Michelin to reduce the number of days of official testing permitted for the MotoGP class.

‘The revised test programme is:

'One 1-Day official test following the final event of 2022 season, at the same circuit used for the final event.

'One 3-Day “shakedown” test prior to the first official test after the winter test ban period. For factory test riders and MotoGP class rookie riders only.

'One 3-Day official test, after the winter test ban period and before the first event of the season.

'One 2-Day official test, after the winter test ban period and before the first event of the season.

'Two 1-Day official tests on the Monday or Tuesday after a GP event at circuits and dates to be agreed by the teams and Dorna/IRTA.'

Valencia voted 'Best Grand Prix' of 2021

In a separate announcement, Valencia was voted as the 'Best Grand Prix of 2021' by the teams' association IRTA.

Hervé Poncharal, President of IRTA, said: "It’s great to see Valencia gaining the award for best Grand Prix back! Valencia has always been a strong player in MotoGP, fulfilling all our requests and often hosting the final showdowns deciding our Champions – and the track is the perfect stage to allow the crowd to follow the fight corner by corner. 

"It is always an intense weekend and the circuit puts on a great show. In 2021, it was a full house once again and as one of the only races with no restrictions, it was always going to be a tough act for the rest to compete with!"