MotoGP: Finland's KymiRing confirmed for 2019

The new KymiRing has been officially confirmed as joining the MotoGP calendar in 2019, bringing Grand Prix racing back to Finland for the first time since 1982, when it was last held at the famous Imatra road circuit.

The race has been provisionally on the calendar for a year, with an original first appearance scheduled for 2018, but that was subsequently moved back a year, and after a press conference today in Helsinki, Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has confirmed that it will become an addition to the season in two years’ time.

“It’s a big pleasure to announce the agreement we have with KymiRing and the works are now underway. We will propose to the FIM to have Finland in the MotoGP calendar for 2019. This is a great day as it´s so many years since the Imatra GP here in Finland and we are very proud to announce this new venue.

TOP STORIES

• 10 dream garage bikes
• We ride Ducati’s  1299 Panigale R Final Edition
• This steampunk Harley-Davidson stands out from the rest
• Great rides of the North: Part 1
• Top 7 retro picks

“Finland has been a traditional place for motorsport. It has had number of fantastic riders in MotoGP in the past. I remember Jarno Saarinen and recently Mika Kallio, and many other people have raced. Finnish people understand motorsport very well and I think KymiRing will be hosting incredible events in the future. The layout of the circuit is very nice, it’s fast and it’s safe, and we’re very happy to announce this today.”

Speaking at the launch, Timo Pohjola, KymiRing Project Manager, says that he believes that the new custom-built venue will bring a distinctly Scandinavian flair to the championship.

“This is something we’ve wanted for many years and now it’s true. I think the layout is based on Finnish racing experience – Finns loves motorsport and that’s why we want to make a special layout and track for MotoGP, something new. We are the only international circuit in northern Europe and that’s why so many other countries are interested in Kymiring. The first Finnish champion was Jarno Saarinen, then in Formula 1 we had Keke Rosberg and Mika Hakkinen and so on, but motorcycling has always been very popular in Finland.”

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.