Story highlights
The 2012 MotoGP will start a week earlier than originally planned
Doha, Qatar will stage the year's first race on April 8
The season will come to a close in the Spanish port city of Valencia
The start of the 2012 MotoGP has been brought forward by one week, with the motorcycling’s elite championship now set to begin on April 8.
Australian world champion Casey Stoner and his fellow riders will begin next year’s campaign in Doha for the Qatar Grand Prix, before heading to the Spanish town of Jerez on April 29.
The Saschenring Circuit is also on the calendar, subject to a contract being signed between the venue and the sport’s organizers.
The Portuguese circuit of Estoril is due to stage a grand prix on May 6, but is also yet to sign a deal.
The Spanish port city of Valencia will host the season-ending race on November 11.
For the first time since 1986, a MotoGP world championship will begin without the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki on the grid.
Suzuki announced last month they were pulling out of the sport due to the current economic climate, but they plan to return to Moto GP in 2014.
2012 MotoGP season:
8 April - Qatar, Doha
29 April - Spain, Jerez
6 May - Portugal, Estoril
20 May - France ,Le Mans
3 June - Catalunya, Catalunya
17 June - Great Britain, Silverstone
30 June - Netherlands, Assen
8 July - Germany, Sachsenring
15 July - Italy, Mugello
29 July - United States, Laguna Seca
19 August - Indianapolis, Indianapolis
26 August - Czech Republic, Brno
16 September - San Marino & Riviera di Rimini, Misano
30 September - Aragon, Motorland
14 October - Japan, Motegi
21 October - Malaysia, Sepang
28 October - Australia, Phillip Island
11 November - Valencia, Valencia
