Cheste renews its contract and the continuation of MotoGP at Motorland from 2027 onwards is now a pipe dream

The Motorland Aragón circuit is finding it increasingly difficult to continue on the MotoGP calendar beyond 2026. A few weeks ago, during the announcement of the renewal of Montmeló (Catalonia) until 2031, Dorna’s top executive, Carmelo Ezpeleta, stated that starting in 2027, the number of world championship circuits on the Iberian Peninsula would be reduced to “two or three” in order to open up new markets. Now, this Tuesday, the championship management body and the Valencian Community have agreed to extend Cheste until that same year, 2031. 

For all these reasons, it seems very unlikely that the biggest two-wheeled motorsport competition will continue to travel to the Tierra Baja of Teruel once the contract expires in 2026. The Bajo Aragón track is competing, on paper and according to Ezpeleta’s statements, for a maximum of one place on the calendar with the other two Iberian circuits currently on the calendar (Jerez and Portimao). 

Even so, as reported by Aragón Press/Aragón Digital, the Government of Aragon is yet to meet with Ezpeleta himself to renegotiate Motorland’s position. Along these lines, the Minister of Tourism in the Government of Aragon and also president of Motorland, Manuel Blasco, called for calm, and the Director General of Tourism, Jorge Moncada, stated in an interview with this media outlet that he believed the aforementioned negotiations “would be successful .”

THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN CHESTE

The President of the Generalitat (Catalan regional government), Carlos Mazón, has announced the renewal of the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo until 2031, guaranteeing the holding of MotoGP in Cheste for at least five editions, compared to the three contemplated under the previous agreement. “MotoGP has made a solid commitment to Valencia,” the Valencian leader emphasized after signing the contract, stressing that the Grand Prix is ​​”one of the hallmarks of the Valencian Community.”  

The agreement, unanimously approved by the Consell Plenary Session, establishes that the Ricardo Tormo Circuit will host the Motorcycle World Championship in 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031, without being subject to alternation with other circuits. In this way, 2029 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Motorcycle World Championship and the 30th anniversary of the Cheste circuit, a milestone that Mazón has attributed to the prestige of the circuit and the passion of Valencian fans, key to overcoming the “difficult competition with other circuits.”  

The regional leader praised the role of motorsports fans, who “with their spirit of excellence, look to the future, something that runs through their veins and is part of our identity.” He also highlighted the event’s economic impact, estimated at around 40 million euros, and its ability to boost activity and employment in the region.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta expressed his satisfaction with the contract renewal, emphasizing that the Circuit Ricardo Tormo is “unique for the view it offers to spectators” and that the atmosphere created by the fans makes it a special event. “We’re looking forward to returning this season and hosting more spectacular Grands Prix until 2031”, he said.