MotoGP announced Friday that it has postponed the Grand Prix of Kazakhstan to later in 2024 after severe flooding has impacted Central Asia.
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As a result of flooding in the region, Kazakhstan has declared a national emergency with over 40,000 members of the population reportedly displaced as a result of the extreme weather, said to be the worst case of flooding in 80 years. The Sokol International Racetrack was slated to host Round Eight of the 2024 MotoGP season on June 14-16 and a new date is unknown following the postponement.
This is the second year running that Kazakhstan’s place on the MotoGP calendar has been impacted. Originally the Sokol International Racetrack was supposed to make its two-wheeled GP debut in 2023, but the venue wasn’t ready in time for its July 09 debut and the event was pushed back a year.
June this year will now comprise the Italian GP at Mugello (May 31 – June 02), followed by the Mugello test on June 03 and the Dutch TT Assen on June 28-30.
“Unprecedented weather conditions have led to flooding across Central Asia, causing a national emergency in Kazakhstan and displacing much of the population,” began a joint statement by the FIM, Dorna and IRTA. “It would not be responsible for MotoGP™ to add any additional burden on the authorities or services as they work to help the tens of thousands of people affected across the country. Sokol International Racetrack will therefore not host MotoGP™ on the dates previously announced, and any further updates will be published once confirmed. As our utmost priority, MotoGP™ sends our condolences and support to the people of Kazakhstan and all those affected by the flooding in Central Asia. We hope the nation, region and communities affected can recover as soon as possible.”
