MotoGP Discussion (SPOILERS!)

[MUZ720]

Sorry to say I think he's done maybe the last two rounds if he's lucky, Real shame.

Since going from the Lusail circuit medical centre to Hamad General Hospital in Doha, Martin has remained there in the intensive care unit for treatment - but a new statement from Aprilia on Thursday says his condition is "showing a slow but steady improvement".

The initial diagnosis of pneumothorax has been upgraded to a hemopneumothorax, which means that, as a result of damage to the lung, there is not just air but blood in his chest cavity. He had also been diagnosed with 11 rib fractures.

Updates from the rider's personal Instagram account confirmed Martin is already on his feet, but also showed that he is still having to undergo artificial lung drainage on the right side "to allow lung re-expansion".

This is still in place as of Aprilia's latest update.

"To date, the situation is being monitored step by step," the team wrote. "It is essential that the lung is stably expanded; only then will it be detached from mechanical aspiration. After a further x-ray check, it will be possible to remove the drainage."

[OreoGaborio]

Holy smokes, that's pretty bad.

What little I saw of the crash, it didn't even look that bad... but the angle was kinda shit. Anyone get a better view of it?

[Paul_E_D]

This is the same exact injury profile Kerry had. She is almost 3 months out and feeling better, but they had to puncture her lung again 2 weeks ago to biopsy something they found in there. Without that complication, she could likely have started riding soon.

[loudbeard]

Again, collapsed/punctured lung and broken ribs is potentially very serious early on. There are complications that can come up during the healing process. That said, recovery is typically very straightforward. There will be A LOT of coverage about how serious it is, take it with a grain of salt. Remember how much Dorna likes to use the word “hero.” Seriously, hero.

George II will be racing in August, and they will lay the hero coverage on thick.

[MUZ720]

Liberty Media and Dorna will for sure will hype the Crap out of his recovery and return to Racing. Thats there job. It's been almost two weeks and he still in ICU. August?? Still late September is my guess.
They really can't rush him this time. His wrist injury was not 100% ready and, in some ways, may have been part of the reason he crashed again in the 1st place.

[JettaJayGLS]

The rumor mill is that Toprak is going to Honda WSBK next year, in prep for a switch to motoGP in 2027 when new rules kick in and they're on Pirelli tires. Will also allow him to test the 850cc bike.
Other rumor is that Honda is going to buy Acosta out of his KTM contract.

I hope both come true!

[loudbeard]

Interesting. If HRC acquire Acosta, I would not be surprised if we see Repsol back as the factory sponsor.

[JettaJayGLS]

They will sell so much merch if all 3 things occur.

[MUZ720]

Acosta to Honda sounds awesome in so many ways. Marketing wise its brilliant, it will make Honda better which is great for the sport. Not sure KTM well be around in 2026 although the Red Bull money may keep them in, but development will be non-existent, so it's a smart move on his part.

[union]

This is shaping up to be a fun race weekend.

[MUZ720]

Again, The sprit race is a mostly a single file race top six all Ducati, once MM gets to the front its over unless he Fs up. Great to see FQ get pole so cool. One-line racetrack if your wide its slick. He wasn't backing off.

[MUZ720]

He Feck up! OH Brother. So cool at home 1st W. FQ rode great also good to see a (dark) blue bike on the podium.

[Rada]

Excited for Gressini and Alex!! Great to see them get a W. The crowd there was nuts.


Finally! My boy FQ20 had a bike matched to the track and rode like a savage.. A couple more steps and he can be back in the hunt on the regular..

Seems like F Bag is getting a bit salty about being #3... Just judging by his body language.

It would be nice if the Sprint races got back to being exciting like they were at first. Feels like they race hardish for two laps then ride to the end to not get hurt

[loudbeard]

Good to see AM get his first, had to be pretty special for him here. Who knows if Marc would have had anything for him.

I’m wondering if Ai Ogura keeps performing if he would not be a favorite for a factory Honda seat. He’s been really impressive on the Aprilia and I gotta think he’d get the nod over Toprak.

[JettaJayGLS]

That settled it - whenever I get to a GP, its going to be Jerez. I don't recall ever hearing the crowd quite like that.

I thought Pecco was being a whiny bitch in qualifying when he made a comment about Marc rolling the lights. After seeing his actions in the first few laps, I would actually believe this is all a plan. Super proud of Pecco for not backing down and bringing it to Marc. He's done this before, for a polite dude he has a lot of fight in him. I like it.

Michelin front slick has got to go. Its likely why Marc crashed in traffic. Its exactly why Pecco was yo-yo-ing off the back of FQ. Likely why Maverick only could get so close to Pecco as well.
Its frustrating how good the racing could have been if they could have actually followed one another. FQ, Pecco, and MV were all on such similar paces.

I am genuinely happy for Alex. He 100% deserved that one. I nearly shat my pants when he almost bowling balled Marc & Pecco, but that really wasn't his fault or due to any form of aggressive riding.

[Paul_E_D]

That settled it - whenever I get to a GP, its going to be Jerez. I don't recall ever hearing the crowd quite like that.

I thought Pecco was being a whiny bitch in qualifying when he made a comment about Marc rolling the lights. After seeing his actions in the first few laps, I would actually believe this is all a plan. Super proud of Pecco for not backing down and bringing it to Marc. He's done this before, for a polite dude he has a lot of fight in him. I like it.

Michelin front slick has got to go. Its likely why Marc crashed in traffic. Its exactly why Pecco was yo-yo-ing off the back of FQ. Likely why Maverick only could get so close to Pecco as well.
Its frustrating how good the racing could have been if they could have actually followed one another. FQ, Pecco, and MV were all on such similar paces.

I am genuinely happy for Alex. He 100% deserved that one. I nearly shat my pants when he almost bowling balled Marc & Pecco, but that really wasn't his fault or due to any form of aggressive riding.

Yeah, I have a friend who grew up in Granada. She said in europe EVERYONE goes to Jerez. It's like a dead show, People abandoning broken down vehicles and hitch hiking to get to the race. Huge encampments with all manner of craziness going on. The only down side is dealling with 225 thousand people. That's a massive crowd.

[FriskyDingo]

is it just me, or would it appear, based on some of the results "after crash" that the MFGs may be wasting a ton of money on testing / implementing aero components?!? Seems the effect of them being torn off is minimal...

[Paul_E_D]

is it just me, or would it appear, based on some of the results "after crash" that the MFGs may be wasting a ton of money on testing / implementing aero components?!? Seems the effect of them being torn off is minimal...

I agree. It is largely redbull money driving this now. The new rules for 27 are designed to stop that kind of spending.

[union]

What a wild race. Zarco should get double points for that one. Marc had one hell of a race too with the long laps and the bike changes. Pecco is done for this year. 0 points is not going to cut it. Feel like he is turning into Maverick. Once his head is out of the game he might as well just park it.

[MUZ720]

Zarco out of nowhere, though the gravel at the start to avoid Pecco and the Beast crash. Staying on rains at the start was a Hugh call. His pace was quick he went faster at the end. Very cool for him and the Fans. Marc was his amazing self. FQ was the big disappointment that last corner took a lot of riders. Besides Pecco, Alex was the biggest loser. Rookie race is turning in Aldeguer's favor, Great weekend for him.

[Rada]

What a nailbiter. I was hoping the Old Frenchman would bring it home. So awesome to see it with his mom there in front of the home crowd.. Must have been so loud.

Bummed my boy FQ dropped it.. His qualifiing lap was impressive.

[loudbeard]

Super pumped for JZ on this one. The video of his dad in the garage right after he crossed the line says it all. Viva la Zarco!

[Stoneman]

Not sure if I'm late to the party, but MotoGP will be hosting a 6-race bagger series next year? 6-8 teams, all supported by Harley. No real word whether this is in conjunction with King of Baggers (Harley & Indian), or if this is going to be a MotoGP thing only and entirely separate.

[Paul_E_D]

I can't believe Harley is doing it. I heard they were tiring of the expense for KoB already.

[FriskyDingo]

Harley-Davidson and MotoGP Bringing Bagger Racing to the World
12 races across six Grand Prix rounds for 2026 season
https://www.motorcycle.com/bikes/new...world-44621965

Last November, Harley-Davidson and MotoGP promoter Dorna announced a "strategic partnership," that pretty much everyone expected to result in a new Bagger racing class to support Grand Prix racing. Well, it's now official, as a new spec racing series featuring the Harley-Davidson Road Glide will be debuting at select MotoGP rounds in the 2026 season.

The series will consist of 12 races held at six GP rounds across Europe and North America, with a grid of six to eight teams, each with two riders on race-prepared Road Glides.

Bagger racing has taken off in the U.S., with MotoAmerica's King of the Bagger series, so it will be interesting to see how well audiences in other markets take to seeing these 617-pound machines racing on the same circuits as MotoGP prototypes.

Begin Press Release:

Harley-Davidson and MotoGP Announce New Global Racing Series Launching In 2026
New Harley-Davidson championship series will race at six MotoGP weekends, pairing one of the world’s most iconic brands with the most exciting sport on Earth.

Harley-Davidson and MotoGP are launching a new global racing championship featuring Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, debuting in 2026. The twelve-race series will race at six Grands Prix across Europe and North America, with riders battling it out on race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycles in two races per round.

The machines – engineered by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing and built for head-to-head competition – weigh approximately 280 kilograms (617 pounds) and produce over 200 horsepower and 245 Nm (180 lb-ft) of raw torque, reaching speeds over 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph). Every bike will be identical, ensuring close competition. The grid is expected to comprise six to eight teams, each fielding two riders –supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing........