Image: Supplied.

The MotoGP World Championship will be returning to Brazil from 2022, with a five-year contract with Rio Motorsports (RMS) securing the sport’s return to Rio de Janeiro until 2026.

The all-new Rio Motorpark, set for construction in Deodoro, will host the grand prix, which is back in Rio after 15 years.

Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro, have already staged some incredible chapters in the history of the sport, most recently in 2004 at Jacarepagua, which had hosted MotoGP since 1995. The development of a new venue to replace Jacarepagua, which was repurposed as an Olympic Park, makes for an exciting prospect for both the sport and the city.

“I’m very proud to announce that MotoGP will be returning to race in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s truly iconic cities and in such an amazing country,” said Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

“Brazil is an important market for motorcycles, motorcycle racing and motorsport, with a history to be proud of – and a future that I’m excited to see MotoGP play such a vital part as we return in 2022.”

Rio Motorpark is forecast for completion in 2021 and features a 4.5km layout of seven left and six right-handed corners, with an approximate MotoGP lap-time of 1m38s.