MotoGP 2026

[SaferRides]

Some interesting articles on Motomatters and Motorsport Magazine, not all of which are paywalled. Mat Oxley reckons the GP25 problems are because of too much engine inertia.

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...nage-a-crisis/

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[iYRe]

Interesting perspective here - some folks dont like him, but without him he competition is less
IF he had never raced, no one would know what they are missing

"Marc Márquez’s return to dominance has sparked debate not only among fans, but also among the most respected technical minds in MotoGP — and Chicho Lorenzo doesn’t hesitate to explain why Marc stands apart from everyone else.
🗣️ “Technically, Márquez is unclassifiable, because he’s not a refined, repetitive and robotic rider like Pedrosa or Lorenzo, but his creativity has no limits.”
According to Chicho Lorenzo, Marc cannot be analyzed using traditional technical patterns. His riding defies standard classifications and relies on instinct, imagination, and constant adaptation.
For Chicho, Marc’s influence goes far beyond lap times.
🗣️ “Everything revolves around him. Even his rivals are happy that Marc has returned to winning with such superiority.”
Márquez’s presence, he says, elevates MotoGP as a whole — drawing attention, excitement, and global relevance back to the championship.
Despite admitting he grew tired of Marc’s dominance at times, Chicho also recognizes what MotoGP loses without him.
🗣️ “I got bored with his dominance in some races, but I missed him when he couldn’t continue racing.”
That contradiction underlines Márquez’s unique role: overwhelming on track, yet essential to the spectacle.
In pure technical terms, Chicho highlights the key difference.
🗣️ “He likes to push the limits, and that’s something most riders hate.”
While others rely on precision and repetition, Márquez thrives in chaos — constantly flirting with the edge and finding lap time where others wouldn’t dare look.
For Chicho Lorenzo, Marc Márquez isn’t just a champion — he’s a phenomenon MotoGP simply cannot replicate."

[BMWST?]

Interesting perspective here - some folks dont like him, but without him he competition is less
IF he had never raced, no one would know what they are missing

"Marc Márquez’s return to dominance has sparked debate not only among fans, but also among the most respected technical minds in MotoGP — and Chicho Lorenzo doesn’t hesitate to explain why Marc stands apart from everyone else.
🗣️ “Technically, Márquez is unclassifiable, because he’s not a refined, repetitive and robotic rider like Pedrosa or Lorenzo, but his creativity has no limits.”
According to Chicho Lorenzo, Marc cannot be analyzed using traditional technical patterns. His riding defies standard classifications and relies on instinct, imagination, and constant adaptation.
For Chicho, Marc’s influence goes far beyond lap times.
🗣️ “Everything revolves around him. Even his rivals are happy that Marc has returned to winning with such superiority.”
Márquez’s presence, he says, elevates MotoGP as a whole — drawing attention, excitement, and global relevance back to the championship.
Despite admitting he grew tired of Marc’s dominance at times, Chicho also recognizes what MotoGP loses without him.
🗣️ “I got bored with his dominance in some races, but I missed him when he couldn’t continue racing.”
That contradiction underlines Márquez’s unique role: overwhelming on track, yet essential to the spectacle.
In pure technical terms, Chicho highlights the key difference.
🗣️ “He likes to push the limits, and that’s something most riders hate.”
While others rely on precision and repetition, Márquez thrives in chaos — constantly flirting with the edge and finding lap time where others wouldn’t dare look.
For Chicho Lorenzo, Marc Márquez isn’t just a champion — he’s a phenomenon MotoGP simply cannot replicate."

I agree with this view point. And the creativity goes beyond the track...ie his America GP gamble,and his ability to somehow judge the perfect time to change bikes in a flag to flag

[iYRe]

I agree with this view point. And the creativity goes beyond the track...ie his America GP gamble,and his ability to somehow judge the perfect time to change bikes in a flag to flag

Some experience, some good judgement and some good luck - good luck enhanced by the first 2 I expect

[F5 Dave]

I subscribe to the Oxley Bom podcast, well worthwhile. But I can't abide subscription to motorsport as id only be doing it for the Oxley blogs, brilliant as they are in don't give a rats about car stuff they pedal.

[jato]

you'd think if the crank was a kg or 2 too heavy with the throttle closed then an adjustments of the exhaust brake or a whisker more rear brake and you'd be back in the game...

[jato]

actually on a fine line at their level the extra gyro of the [backward spinning ?] crank could well be a hindrance

[SaferRides]

One thing for sure, you'd never want Marc as a teammate. I think even Alex was pleased to see him leave Gresini!

[SaferRides]

actually on a fine line at their level the extra gyro of the [backward spinning ?] crank could well be a hindrance

Yes, they all have backwards spinning cranks.

The story after the Sepang test was that the GP25 power delivery was stronger and smoother, but the engine braking was a step backwards. Because of this, Ducati reverted to the GP24 spec engine, but what exactly did they revert to?

During the season David Emmett found out that the GP24 and GP25 engines are not a straight swap in the frame, so Ducati may have had to homologate what was a GP24.5 engine with the GP25 mechanicals.

Ducati obviously aren't talking, Marc didn't care and Pecco said at one stage he was only saying what he was told to say!

Ducati can use either engine next season, so which one will be in the GP26? You could see the difference between the GP24 and 25 early in the season as Marc consistently pulled away from Alex on corner exits, so Marc may not want to revert to the older spec.

The 2026 Sepang tests should be very interesting!



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[F5 Dave]

Can they actually use any engine? There was talk of it being locked in for two years. Or do they give the 25 engine to satellite teams as the did in 22, apparently and use the 24 fir factory teams.

In podcast, not sure if in his blog, but compared races from 24 to 25. Corrected for weather or race length there were a few clear races. In six the 2024 times were faster than 2025. (Some were the same, I think 3 25 was faster)
Think about that for a moment. Martin and Peco were faster on GP24 than Marc on the 2025.

[iYRe]

Found another one today:
"Davide Tardozzi reveals the detail that proved Marc Márquez was already thinking like a Ducati rider — and it took him just three races.🗣️ “After just a couple of races with us, he already knew the names and the roles of all our engineers and he told me what he had learned from each of them.” — Davide Tardozzi
Marc Márquez didn’t just adapt to the Ducati Desmosedici — he absorbed the entire team structure around him.
Tardozzi explains that Márquez understands performance goes far beyond the bike itself. Engineers, mechanics, management, even personal surroundings — Marc studies everything that can make him faster.
🗣️ “He knows that the bike makes performance, and that the way the team works and helps him solve problems makes performance.”
This mindset is what stunned Ducati most. Within three races, Márquez had mapped the full Ducati ecosystem and was already feeding back what each person contributed.
🗣️ “In three f—— races! He’s so clever to see what’s going on, what can help him and who can help him.”
For Tardozzi, that was the moment he realised Ducati hadn’t just signed a champion — they’d signed a phenomenon.
Talent wins races. Intelligence builds dynasties. Marc Márquez has both."

[SaferRides]

Can they actually use any engine? There was talk of it being locked in for two years. Or do they give the 25 engine to satellite teams as the did in 22, apparently and use the 24 fir factory teams.

My understanding is that Ducati can use either engine as both were homologated for 2025. But they cannot change the engines at all and the riders cannot swap between them during the season, which is why Pecco could not race a 100% GP24 in 2025.

I expect the GP24 will go down as one of the great MotoGP bikes although it may only win one world championship.



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[F5 Dave]

If the Marc/Bez thing happened a touch earlier in the season,
- it would have. In the hands of his brother.