World champion Antonio Cairoli will defend his MX1 World Championship in 2012.

The calendar for the 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship has been announced by Youthstream.

Still provisional at this point, the series will commence at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands on 9 April, spanning 16 rounds before concluding in Germany at Teutschenthal on 23 September.

The location of rounds eight and 15 are still to be finalised by the FIM.

Australia will have an increased interest in the GP series for next year, with Dean Ferris joining the MX1 ranks for the ICE1RACING Kawasaki team.

The FIM Motocross of Nations is scheduled for 30 September at Lommel in Belgium.

2012 FIM Motocross Grand Prix Calendar: