The Spanish circuit MotorLand Aragon will continue to host a round of the MotoGP world championship until at least 2016. Confirmation of the deal followed the circuit’s successful staging of a Grand Prix last year, when, as a reserve venue, it stepped in to host a race following problems with a proposed new circuit in Hungary.

MotoGP’s commercial arm Dorna Sports has agreed a deal with the circuit and the local government of Aragon that is likely to include an annual fee to the series organisers of up to US$4 million.

There are now four long-term MotoGP venues in Spain, home of the current world champions in all three Grand Prix classes, with Aragon joining the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, Jerez and Valencia as race venues.

Last year’s Aragon race was attended by 116,000 people over the weekend, including 70,000 on race day. That, plus the organisation of the event, which led to an award at the end of the year, convinced Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta to give the circuit a longer contract.

This year’s Grand Prix of Aragon is due to take place on Sunday 18th September. Spanish world champion Jorge Lorenzo begins his title defence in Qatar on Sunday 20th March..