World Motocross is officially set to be visiting Australia in 2011. Image: R Archer.

Australia has been confirmed as the opening round of the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship, the event set to be staged at Victoria’s Broadford State Motorcycle Sports Complex on 15 May, 2011.

The round will mark the first time since 2001 that Australia has hosted a round of the world championship, returning to Broadford after it was originally believed that Geelong’s Motorcycling Australia-owned Barrabool complex would be the venue for the season opener.

It’s believed that state governing body Motorcycling Victoria was instrumental in the Motocross GP’s return to Australia at its Broadford circuit, which is situated approximately an hour north of Melbourne.

Along with the premier MX1 (450) and MX2 (250) championship classes, it’s been revealed that the FIM Veteran’s World Cup will also be contested at the Broadford round.

Motorcycling Australia is yet to comment on the news released by the FIM this morning, featured on the provisional 2011 calendar for the series.

Also confirmed as previously reported, the United States will host another GP the week following Glen Helen’s round that will be contested on 11 September, however the track is to be advised (TBA).

PROVISIONAL 2011 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR:
Rd1 – 15 May – Broadford, Australia
Rd2 – 29 May – TBA, Netherlands
Rd3 – 5 June – TBA, Great Britain
Rd4 – 19 June – Teutschenthal, Germany
Rd5 – 26 June – Kegums, Latvia
Rd6 – 3 July – Uddevalla, Sweden
Rd7 – 17 July – Bellpuig, Spain
Rd 8 – 24 July – Agueda, Portugal
Rd9 – 7 August – Lommel, Limburg
Rd10 – 14 August – Loket, Czech Republic
Rd11 – 28 August – Campo Grande, Brazil
Rd12 – 11 September – Glen Helen, USA
Rd13 – 18 September – TBA, USA
Rd14 – 9 October – Sevlievo, Bulgaria
Rd15 – 16 October – TBA, Italy