Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks says MotoGP must take bold risks to grow its American audience, warning the sport has historically been too slow to make big changes. The only American team owner in MotoGP, Marks called on Liberty Media to act decisively when opportunities arise, backing the series’ new owners to accelerate expansion with their three, five and ten year growth strategy.
Former team manager Livio Suppo believes Pedro Acosta’s expected move to Ducati in 2027 could rejuvenate Marc Marquez, comparing the dynamic to Jorge Lorenzo’s arrival alongside Valentino Rossi at Yamaha in 2008. Rossi rose to the challenge of Lorenzo and secured back to back MotoGP titles in 2008 and 2009. Acosta is widely expected to join Ducati on a two year deal from 2027, replacing Francesco Bagnaia.
Ducati admits it is playing catch up to Aprilia in 2026 but insists the title fight is not over. The Bologna factory debuted an Aprilia inspired wing at Austin as it scrambles to close the gap. Meanwhile, questions are growing over Gresini’s long term future with Ducati, with the satellite team having explored alternatives. After 88 straight podiums, Ducati’s grip on MotoGP is loosening fast.
Marc Marquez is blaming himself, not the Ducati GP26, for his troubled start to 2026. Still managing the shoulder injury he suffered at the 2025 Indonesian GP, Marquez admits he cannot ride naturally in the opening laps and has settled into an unnatural position on the bike. Carlos Checa says something is wrong, while Dovizioso fears there may be no permanent solution. Marquez sits fifth, 36 points adrift.
Fabio Quartararo heaped praise on Toprak Razgatlioglu after the three-time WorldSBK champion beat him to score his first MotoGP point at COTA. Quartararo said Razgatlioglu rode the entire weekend in impressive fashion, calling his style “really like Superbike” and admitting he was genuinely impressed by the performance. Razgatlioglu finished 15th as Yamaha’s top rider, though over 25 seconds behind race winner Bezzecchi.
Aleix Espargaro is in hospital after a serious crash during Honda’s private MotoGP test at Sepang this week. The Honda test rider suffered multiple contusions and fractured four vertebrae in the crash, confirming the news himself on Instagram from his hospital bed. Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami had been testing both the 2026 Honda and its 850cc prototype at Sepang.
Alex Rins hit rock bottom at the US Grand Prix, finishing last in Austin and over 10 seconds behind his nearest Yamaha teammate. All four Yamaha riders filled the final four places in the classification. Rins admitted he felt useless on the bike, saying: “What the hell am I doing here? It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed riding.”
Sachsenring has made run-off modifications ahead of the 2026 German MotoGP, directly triggered by last year’s Moto2 collision between Diogo Moreira and David Alonso. Grass verges at the Omega curve are being replaced with asphalt to allow riders to return to the track in a controlled manner. The German Grand Prix takes place on 10 to 12 July.
MotoGP is pushing manufacturers to introduce permanent reserve riders at every grand prix, taking direct inspiration from Formula 1. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi confirmed the promoter has raised the idea with manufacturers , but called it not currently viable. The plan would see one or two reserves travel to every round, ready to step in at factory or satellite level.
MotoGP’s Brazilian Nightmare Triggers Goiania OverhaulMotoGP’s long-awaited return to Brazil delivered drama, but not the kind anyone wanted. Now, the Ayrton Senna International Circuit in Goiania is undergoing targeted asphalt…