Marco Bezzecchi has won five consecutive MotoGP races and leads the 2026 championship with Aprilia now the reference bike ahead of Ducati. But his weakness is clear. He crashed out of the Sprint in both Thailand and Austin, leaving around 21 points on the table. That Sprint inconsistency could prove fatal to his title bid, just as it did for Bagnaia in 2024.
Aprilia’s MotoGP inspired X 250TH has sold out in just 14 days. The limited edition RSV4 special was revealed at the Austin MotoGP round, dressed in a stars and stripes livery to mark 250 years of American independence. Just 30 units were built. All gone in two weeks. The world’s first production bike with MotoGP spec carbon carbon brakes., and nobody could resist it.
Toprak Razgatlioglu says Jerez demands a completely different riding style to World Superbike, warning the Spanish round will be “very difficult.” The reigning WorldSBK champion scored his first MotoGP point at COTA, finishing 15th as top Yamaha, but all four M1s lost 25 seconds to race winner Marco Bezzecchi. Razgatlioglu admits his natural stop and go style does not suit the current MotoGP package.
Fabio Quartararo has told Yamaha he is stepping back from helping develop their 2026 V4 bike. The French rider revealed he is staying a “little bit out” of the development process as his frustration with the project grows. With his move to Honda confirmed for 2027, Quartararo says the extended break after the Qatar postponement will be good for him to switch off completely.
Brad Binder is running out of time in MotoGP. KTM boss Pit Beirer publicly declared Maverick Vinales his target for a second team leader role, a clear signal the factory no longer sees Binder as their man. The South African sits 12th in the 2026 standings with just 17 points after three rounds. His KTM contract expires at the end of this season.
Five time world champion Jorge Lorenzo believes Honda and Yamaha will return to MotoGP’s front row despite years of pain. The Japanese giants have not won a premier class title since 2021. Both sit at the bottom of the constructors standings. Lorenzo, now coaching Maverick Vinales at Tech3 KTM, pointed to Honda’s improved 2025 form as proof. “They always come back,” he said. “Because they have the power, the history, the budget.”
Ducati hit Misano this week for the first public shakedown of its new 850cc prototype. Veteran test rider Michele Pirro debuted the Desmosedici GP27 during a private event. The machine features simplified aerodynamics and zero ride height devices to meet 2027 regulations. Pirelli tyres also made an appearance. This move confirms the Italian factory remains ahead of the technical curve.
Alex Marquez remains a core part of Ducati development despite his confirmed 2027 move to KTM. The Gresini rider currently works on the GP26 machine to help the Italian brand catch a dominant Aprilia. Marquez believes his future switch will not limit his technical influence. Ducati continues to trust the 2025 runner up as they fight to regain the MotoGP crown.
Nicolo Bulega may find it difficult to secure a Ducati MotoGP seat for 2027 despite testing the brand’s future 850cc prototype and showing strong form in World Superbike. Most Desmosedici seats are expected to remain occupied under current contracts, leaving limited opportunities for the Italian rider to move into MotoGP in the next rider market cycle.
KTM boss Pit Beirer has launched a furious attack on MotoGP’s tyre pressure rules, calling them “simply absurd” after Pedro Acosta was dropped from third to eighth in the COTA Sprint with an eight second post race penalty. Beirer told Speedweek the rule “needs to be changed or abolished.” Even the FIM president admitted on the grid the rule needs immediate reform.