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    Motorcycling - MotoGP remove Argentina race for 2013

    MotoGP have confirmed that there will be no Argentine Grand Prix on next season's race schedule.

    A three-year deal for MotoGP events to be held annually at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit was announced in December 2011 to begin from 2013.

    But after the arrangement was delayed in June for "safety reasons" following a dispute between the company and the nation's government, the passing of the November 18 scheduling deadline has left the race out in the cold for next season at least.

    In a press statement, MotoGP said: "The Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina, which was set to take place at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit early next year, has not been included on the 2013 calendar.

    On June 20th 2012, the Spanish government recommended that teams and riders sponsored by Repsol should not travel to the Republica Argentina due to safety reasons.

    "Therefore, the celebration of the 2013 Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina remained under suspension until such recommendation would be kept in force," the statement added.

    "The deadline for Dorna Sports, commercial rights holder of the MotoGP World Championship, to officially propose the 2013 MotoGP calendar to FIM was November 18.

    "On November 20, the Spanish government notified through email sent to Dorna Sports  the withdrawal of the above referred recommendation, when the time for the calendar presentation had already expired and therefore, there was no possibility to include a new MotoGP event.

    "Anyhow, Dorna Sports commits itself to include Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina on the 2014 calendar and onwards, to be approved by FIM subject to the homologation of the track which presumably shall take place within the first quarter of 2013.

    "Dorna Sports recognizes the Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina Promoter´s efforts regarding the satisfactorily termination of the construction works and the organization and promotion preliminary activities."

    The series last raced in Argentina when MotoGP's 500cc predecessor used the Buenos Aires circuit in 1998-99.

    Updated Provisional 2013 MotoGP calendar:

    Round 1: April 7 Qatar* Losail

    Round 2: April 21 Americas Austin

    Round 3: May 5 Spain (STC) Jerez

    Round 4: May 19 France Le Mans

    Round 5: June 2 Italy Mugello

    Round 6: June 16 Catalunya Catalunya

    Round 7: June 29 Netherlands** Assen

    Round 8: July 7 Germany Sachsenring

    Round 9: July 21 United States***Laguna Seca

    Round 10: August 18 Indianapolis Indianapolis

    Round 11: August 25 Czech Republic Brno

    Round 12: September 1 Great Britain Silverstone

    Round 13: September 15 San Marino Misano

    Round 14: 29 September Aragon Aragon

    Round 15: 13 October Malaysia Sepang

    Round 16: 20 October Australia Phillip Island

    Round 17: 27 October Japan Motegi

    Round 18: 10 November Valencia Valencia

    * Evening race

    ** Saturday race

    *** Only MotoGP class

    (STC) = Subject to Contract

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