Perhaps the most obvious is the omission of the U.S. Grand Prix and despite the goal of Youthstream wanting to expand the schedule to three non-European events for 2012 the plan currently involves planned trips to Brazil and Mexico only.
France will hold two events; St Jean D’Angely slated again after a busy 2011 in which they have had the GP and the Nations and Ernee, only several hundred kilometres up the road, in what is a strong market for motocross but not an unlimited resource.
The German circuit of Gaildorf seemingly only returns for one year (apparently a press conference will be held by the club this weekend in Teutschenthal) and Lierop comes back on the schedule with any Belgian event currently up in the air (as is the visit to Italy but this is a normal occurrence with the Federation normally rotating the GP among the clubs).
It is surprising to see La Banyeza back on the board, especially after the general level of indifference towards the suitability of the circuit for world championship level. I personally think this will be one of the first alterations as there are better venues available and the site in the Castilla and Leon region was a stop-gap for 2011 after the cancellation of the Catalan race at Bellpuig.
The British Grand Prix becomes an ambitious festival of motocross at which the shallow mud of Matterley Basin will be expected to entertain every major world and European series in a week of racing. It is a grand scheme but placed on one of the most problematic and costly stages in terms of set-up and event logistics.
As we are in the middle of a tough second stint of three back-to-back races thankfully no similar congestion of dates will occur in 2012 although this leads us to perhaps the most controversial of the planned changes; the ‘12 Motocross of Nations at Lommel in Belgium taking place between rounds fourteen and fifteen and not fulfilling its role as the traditional end of season ‘curtain-closer’. Even though teams and brands sanction the participation of their riders in non-GP (national) events during the season the disadvantages of which were seen recently with Clement Desalle’s dislocated shoulder while on domestic duty in Belgium. The Nations will become a ‘distraction’ for those few pushing for top five positions in the MX1 and MX2 classes. However nudging the event back beyond round sixteen, October 21st at the earliest is practically inviting a wet event at Lommel.
More reaction from this on the @OntrackOffroad twitter feed over the weekend in Germany.
Provisional 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship
April 8 Valkenswaard – Netherlands
April 22 La Baneza – Spain
April 29 Agueda – Portugal
May 13 tba – Mexico
May 20 Beto Carrero – Brazil
June 3 St Jean D’Angely – France
June 10 Teutschenthal – Germany
June 24 Kegums – Latvia
July 1 Uddevalla – Sweden
July 29 tba – Belgium
August 5 Loket – Czech Republic
August 19 Matterley Basin – Great Britain
September 2 Lierop – Netherlands
September 9 Ernee – France
October 7 Sevlievo – Bulgaria
October 14 tba – Italy
Motocross des Nations: September 23 Lommel – Belgium
