The Victorian Government has secured the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island until 2016 with options to extend the contract until 2026.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation also announced today that Iveco (Industrial Vehicles Corporation) has signed a two year naming rights sponsorship agreement for the 2010 and 2011 Australian Motorcycle Grands Prix.

Victorian Tourism and Major Events minister Tim Holding said the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix was a great event and its rightful home was in Victoria.

“Victorians love their sport and securing the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix confirms Melbourne’s status as the sporting capital of the world,” Holding said. “We are proud to support major sporting events that place Melbourne and Victoria in the national and international spotlight and boost tourism to our state.”

Chief executive officer of Dorna Sports Carmelo Ezpeleta said Australia is a key territory in the worldwide scope of MotoGP.

“We are very pleased to continue our long-term relationship with the Australian Grand Prix and the Phillip Island Circuit,” Ezpeleta said. “The organisation of the Grand Prix has been improving year after year, and it will be a privilege to continue working with such professional people until 2016.”

Iveco, an international company that operates professional transport services globally has committed to an additional two years as the naming rights sponsor based on the success of its partnership with the event in 2009.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive officer Drew Ward said securing the event is a great outcome for Victoria and fans of the MotoGP event.

“We are delighted to be announcing the contract extension today and also to be partnering with Iveco as the major sponsor for the next two years,” Ward commented. “The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is regarded as one of the best events on the MotoGP calendar and we are very much looking forward to October.”

Iveco Trucks Australia manufactures and distributes light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles for the Australian road transport industry, manufacturing over 230,000 trucks in Australia.

Iveco managing director Giorgio Gallia said last year’s partnership with MotoGP was extremely successful for Iveco from a local and international perspective.

“Being an international company based in Victoria, we wanted to continue to support the Victorian economy by again partnering with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix for 2010 and 2011,” Gallia said.

The 2010 Iveco Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held at Phillip Island on 15-17 October.