MotoGP’s planned maiden visit to Kazakhstan this season is off after failing to meet homologation criteria in sufficient time.

The Central Asian country was due to host its first-ever Kazakhstan MotoGP event at the Sokol International Racetrack - close to the nation’s second largest city, Almaty - this season as one of two brand new events, along with India’s Buddh circuit.

Due to take place in July and represent the ninth round of the season, Dorna and the FIM have announced, however, that ongoing works and operational challenges have forced it to push the inaugural race back to 2024 instead.

The event won’t be replaced this season, reducing the number of rounds to 20.

“Ongoing homologation works at the circuit, paired with current global operational challenges, have obliged the cancellation of the 2023 event.

“MotoGP looks forward to visiting Sokol International Racetrack in 2024 to welcome a new region to the calendar.”

This isn’t the first time MotoGP has been forced to axe incoming events before they take place, with Finland’s KymiRing twice being delayed around COVID before its contract was annulled, while prospective events in Hungary, Brazil and Wales have also been announced before being quietly shelved.