The 2021 MotoGP season will feature 20 races, according to a provisional calendar released Friday, with organisers hoping for a "return to normality" after a coronavirus-hit year.

Next year is scheduled to start, as usual, in Qatar on March 8 and round up Valencia on November 14.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP organisers Dorna Sports, said: "We try to return to normality, we talked to all the promoters and made the normal calendar because it's important to block the days and to know exactly on which days there will be the Grands Prix.

"We hope we can do it. Obviously there are many things we don't know yet, that's why we've included three reserve Grands Prix to be allocated wherever it's possible and also taking into consideration the weather considerations of each place."

Two reserves are in Europe, Portimao in Portugal and St Petersburg in Russia, and Mandalika in Indonesia.

Provisional 2021 MotoGP calendar

March 28: Qatar (Losail, night course) 

April 11: Argentina (Termas de Rio Hondo)

April 18: United States (Austin)

May 2: Spain (Jerez)

May 16: France (Le Mans)

May 30: Italy (Mugello)

June 6: Catalunya (Barcelona)

June 20: Germany (Sachsenring)

June 27: Netherlands (Assen)

July 11: Finland (KymiRing)

August 15: Austria (Spielberg)

August 29: Great Britain (Silverstone)

September 12: Aragon (Alcaniz, Spain)

September 19: San Marino (Misano)

October 3: Japan (Motegi)

October 10: Thailand (Buriram)

October 24: Australia (Phillip Island)

October 31: Malaysia (Sepang)

November 14: Valencia (Ricardo Tormo circuit, Spain)

Note: date and place of the 20th GP yet to be announced, but likely to be held between July 11-August 15

In reserve: Portugal (Portimao), Indonesia (Mandalika), Russia (St Petersburg)