MotoGP: 2012 schedule released, Rossi runs new aluminum chassis

Here’s a couple of interesting news items from MotoGP.

First up – Valentino Rossi has been having a tough go of it this year, and many have blamed it on his Ducati’s carbon-fibre chassis. The innovative frame has supposedly stiffened his bike’s front end up to the point that it’s become less responsive in the corners.

That may change this weekend at Aragon, though, as Rossi is going to be running a machine with a chassis from FTR, that we told you about last month. This is a big departure from Ducati’s original plans, but Rossi says he’s already seeing an improvement in practice laps, so carbon fibre may be out and aluminum back in.

MotoGP news isn’t all about Rossi, though. The race series’ provisional schedule for 2012 was released yesterday, with a few minor changes and no big surprises – yet.

A common-sense move was putting the two U.S. rounds back-to-back, which means teams and journos only have to schedule and pay for one trip to North America, not two.

There’s a couple question marks over the schedule; organizers haven’t pinned down a track to host the German GP yet, and Jerez is still reportedly facing financial problems, so both of those rounds may change. As we said, it’s only a provisional schedule … check it out below.

Date – Grand Prix – Circuit:
April 15 – Qatar* – Losail
April 29 – Spain (STC) – Jerez
May 6 – Portugal (STC) – Estoril
May 20 – France – Le Mans
June 3 – Catalunya – Catalunya
June 17 – Great Britain – Silverstone
June 30 – Netherlands** – Assen
July 8 – Germany (STC) – TBC
July 15 – Italy – Mugello
July 29 – United States*** – Laguna Seca
August 19 – Indianapolis – Indianapolis
August 26 – Czech Republic – Brno
September 16 – San Marino & Riviera di Rimini – Misano
September 30 – Aragon – Motorland
October 14 – Japan – Motegi
October 21 – Malaysia – Sepang
October 28 – Australia – Phillip Island
November 11 – Valencia – Ricardo Tormo Valencia

* Night Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class
STC – Subject To Contract
TBC – To Be Confirmed