MotoGP on Friday confirmed that it will race in India from 2023 with provisional dates set at 22-24 September, marking the return of a big ticket motorsport event in the country after Formula 1’s departure nine years ago.

The world’s premier two-wheel racing championship will be held at the Buddh International Circuit, which staged Formula 1 from 2011 to 2013.

After MotoGP announced that India will become the 31st country to host a motorcycle Grand Prix next year, a provisional calendar was released. India has been listed as the 14th round, to be held in September, in a 21-race calendar.

“We’re very proud to announce that Buddh International Circuit will be on the 2023 calendar. We have a lot of fans in India, and we’re excited to be able to bring the sport to them,” Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said in a statement.

“India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world. We very much look forward to racing at Buddh International Circuit and can’t wait to welcome the fans through the gates to see this incredible sport in person,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath added: It’s a matter of great pride for Uttar Pradesh to host such a global event. Our government will provide full support to MotoGP Bharat.

The track will need to be homologated by Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the global governing/sanctioning body of motorcycle racing, before the mega event which is expected to be a formality considering it has already hosted Formula 1.

Fairstreet Sports (FSS) COO Pushkar Nath told PTI that homologation process has already begun with FIM officials inspecting the BIC track.