AFL final bumps Aussie MotoGP

Australia's 2008 MotoGP round is expected to draw huge crowds to see high-flying Casey Stoner. Photo / Reuters

MELBOURNE - Next year's Australian round of the world MotoGP championship has been moved back a week to Oct. 5.

The provisional calendar released in July had the Australian race due to be held in the last weekend of September, at the same time as the Australian Rules Football grand final.

Australian officials asked for a schedule change to avoid a clash of events and organisers agreed to switch the dates with the Japanese round of the championship.

"We have been working hard behind the scenes to do all that we can to ensure that spectators were not put in a position where they were forced to choose between the two events," Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Drew Ward said in a statement.

"We would also like to pass on our thanks to the promoter of the Japanese Grand Prix for their willingness to accommodate this request."

The 2008 MotoGP season will comprise 18 races in 14 countries from March to October.

The Australian race is expected to attract massive crowds because of the growing interest in Casey Stoner, the Australian who is currently leading this year's championship.

- REUTERS