MotoGP finally returning to Indonesia?

Talks were held in Jakarta yesterday involving commercial rights holder Dorna Sports, the Indonesian Government and the Sentul Circuit.

The last Indonesian Grand Prix took place at Sentul in 1997. Despite MotoGP's huge popularity in the country, plus Indonesia's status as one of the biggest motorcycle markets in the world, subsequent attempts to bring world championship motorcycling back to the country (including a planned World Superbike round in 2013) all failed.

However Ezpeleta indicated that Indonesia will be granted a place on the MotoGP calendar from 2017 to 2021 if the necessary infrastructure requirements are met.

Malaysia currently holds the MotoGP round in South East Asia, but Thailand is also tipped to join the calendar - perhaps as early as next season - after a successful WSBK debut for the new Chang International Circuit.

CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta recently outlined Dorna's proposals for its next commercial contract with the MotoGP teams, from 2017. This included a maximum of 20 races, which is two more than the present calendar.

Austria is already confirmed as a new addition for next season, meaning if both Indonesia and Thailand arrive one of the exiting events will need to be dropped.

Quizzed at the end of last season about where they would like to see more MotoGP events, the manufacturers listed Asia and South America as their key markets.