Jerez confirmed for MotoGP 2013

Jerez, venue for the forthcoming Spanish MotoGP round, has announced that it will keep its place on the 2013 motorcycle grand prix calendar. The popular venue has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1987 and is traditionally the first European event of the year. However the 2012 event was thrown into doubt due to financial issues. A single-year deal for this season was finally agreed in late December, with Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta adding: "We'll now look ahead to the future of the event and focus on working together to reach an agreement up until 2016." Such a long-term agreement is yet to be reached, but a Monday posting on the official Jerez Twitter account reads: "Carmelo Ezpeleta has just confirmed that Jerez will host a Grand Prix in 2013." Jerez is one of four MotoGPs currently held in Spain, alongside Catalunya, Aragon and Valencia. The other three venues already have contracts until 2016, but the financial situation in Spain - and competition from new venues outside of Europe - means that at least one of those rounds is expected to depart well before its expiry date. Presently, Valencia appears the most vulnerable. Aside from Jerez, the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril - which has faced similar financial troubles and was the last venue to be confirmed for this season - also has a contract that expires in 2012. It is thought unlikely that an extension will be signed. New tracks in Argentina and Texas are due to join the MotoGP calendar in 2013, while India is also expected to make its debut.