FIM president Jorge Viegas has confirmed that Portugal’s Portimao track is on the list as a MotoGP back-up if there is a problem with any other venues next season - and it is likely to be on the calendar in 2022.

The Algarve venue has been a staple of the WorldSBK calendar since its completion in 2008 but hasn’t been able to find the money to pay the multi-million Euro sanction fee required to host a MotoGP round.

Viegas, who is from Portugal’s Faro, confirmed on Twitter that Portimao is on the slate for a blue riband class event in the near future.

“There is nobody who wants more the MotoGP back in Portugal than me,” said Viegas.

“There is a pre-agreement for 2022 but can be before if someone pulls out.”