The MotoGP motorcycling world championship has opted to shorten some of its races to enable broadcast partners to better plan their race day programming.
From 2018, the grand prix in Valencia, Spain will be trimmed by three laps, with the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez to be cut by two laps.
The French, Catalan, Czech and San Marino races will be one lap shorter, along with the Americas Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
In a statement, Dorna Sports, MotoGP’s commercial rights-holder, said: “This is to ensure that races have a similar duration at each venue on the World Championship calendar, enhancing event organisation and aiding television broadcasters to better structure race day programming.”
Moto2 and Moto3 races will also be trimmed over the course of the next two seasons. The transition will begin this season before final changes come into force in 2019.