Spain will again host four rounds of an expanded MotoGP world championship in 2013 despite the economic crisis gripping the country.
The International Motorcycling Federation on Friday published a provisional 19-race calendar, one more than in 2012, with races pencilled in for the Jerez, Barcelona, Valencia and Motorland Aragon circuits.
Jerez's race is subject to contract, however.
Portugal, which hosted a Grand Prix at Estoril in May, did not feature on the calendar which has two slots in April yet to be confirmed after the opening night race under floodlights in Qatar on March 31.
The opener will be a week earlier than this year.
Argentina and a new circuit in Austin, Texas, could fill the unconfirmed slots while India's new Buddh Formula One circuit has also been mooted as a possibility.
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will move from June to 1 September.
Italy will have two races, one of them the San Marino Grand Prix at the Marco Simoncelli Misano circuit recently renamed after the Grand Prix rider who was killed in a crash in Malaysia last year.
The season will end at Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit on 10 November.
Valencia also hosted a Formula One race this year, in the port area of the Mediterranean city, but is due to be absent from next year's F1 calendar as part of an alternation with Barcelona.
Cash-strapped local administrations in Spain are under pressure to make budget cuts as part of a central government austerity drive.
Spanish-based promoters Dorna hold the commercial rights to MotoGP and the sport is hugely popular in the country with Spanish riders well placed in the battle for all three world championships this season. - Reuters
PROVISIONAL 2013 CALENDAR
March 31- Qatar (Doha)
April 14- To be confirmed
April 21- To be confirmed
May 5- Spain (Jerez) Subject to contract
May 19- France (Le Mans)
June 2- Italy (Mugello)
June 16- Catalunya (Barcelona)
June 29- Netherlands (Assen)**
July 14- Germany (Sachsenring)
July 21- United States (Laguna Seca)***
August 18- Indianapolis
August 25- Czech Republic (Brno)
September 1- Britain (Silverstone)
September 15- San Marino (Marco Simoncelli Misano)
September 29- Aragon (Motorland)
October 13- Malaysia (Sepang)
October 20- Australia (Phillip Island)
October 27- Japan (Motegi)
November 10- Valencia (Ricardo Tormo)
*Evening Race
** Saturday Race
***Only MotoGP