Anticipation couldn ' t be higher for MotoGP™ in 2026 as an intriguing title fight lights up the final year of the 1000cc bikes before a switch to 850cc machinery in 2027.
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez( Ducati Lenovo Team) started the year as favourite despite recently returning from yet another serious shoulder injury. The early rounds told the seven-time MotoGP™ champ something wasn ' t quite right. Having come back from further surgery to alleviate nerve issues, he is on the comeback trail after missing the Barcelona GP. Wins at Balaton Park, Brno and the Sachsenring have put him firmly back in the picture.
The year ' s biggest story to date has been the utter brilliance of Aprilia. Jorge Martin( Aprilia Racing) has been back to his best despite a troubled pre-season. Even though he missed the Sepang test through injury, the number 89 scored a brilliant Sprint™ / MotoGP™ race double in France.
Team mate Marco Bezzecchi( Aprilia Racing) was the early benchmark, winning the first three MotoGP™ races and leading every lap in the process. But a horrible run of races from Hungary to Germany has seen him lose vital ground.
No question, Ai Ogura( SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) is the surprise of the year. The Japanese rider scored three straight podiums before the summer break, including a brilliant first win at Assen, which has put him firmly in the world championship picture.
Ducati ' s other names shouldn ' t be discounted. Fabio Di Giannantonio( Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) has been the most consistent rider from the Italian stable and scored an epic victory in Barcelona. Pecco Bagnaia( Ducati Lenovo Team) had a tough 2025. But his podium in Barcelona showed he ' s still as fast as ever!
Excitement surrounds the potential of Pedro Acosta( Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in 2026 after a solid pre-season. The 21-year-old cuts a calmer, more mature figure than this time a year ago and scored a maiden Tissot Sprint victory in an epic Thailand fight with reigning champion Marquez.
And there is great interest at Yamaha as it brings its V4 YZR-M1 up to speed. There have been a few teething issues until now. But Fabio Quartararo( Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) came agonisingly close to victory here one year ago. Plus, rookie and reigning WorldSBK™ champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has been gradually getting up to speed.
Official Programme Silverstone Circuit