Senna Agius led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Circuit de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, Agius lapped the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) road course in 1:38.973, topping the field of 28 riders and breaking Deniz Oncu’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:39.564 from 2025.
Alonso Lopez was second-best with a time of 1:39.052 on his ITALJET Gresini Kalex.
Barry Baltus did a third-fastest 1:39.102 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer got fourth with a lap time of 1:39.194 and Daniel Holgado finished the session fifth on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team Kalex with a 1:39.214.
American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 17th with a best time of 1:39.748 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Agius smashes lap record to front Friday standings in Jerez. The COTA winner set a 1:38.973 to lead Lopez and Baltus into Saturday at the Spanish GP.
Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) is the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s action at the Spanish Grand Prix after the Austin race winner slammed in a new Jerez Moto2 lap record in Practice. The Australian’s 1:38.973 was followed closely by Alonso Lopez’s (Italjet Gresini Moto2) best effort, the Spaniard sits 0.079s away from Agius after the opening day, with FP1 pacesetter Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) third quickest.
It was Baltus who topped the times in the early exchanges before Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rose to P1 with what was briefly a new lap record, before Agius slotted in the fresh Pirelli rubber to move the goalposts in the closing stages. The #81 is the only rider to officially dip into the 1:38s in Jerez, and that time was only six tenths away from Alex Rins’ best lap in MotoGP FP1. Quite the performance.
It was the aforementioned Veijer who ended the session in P4 ahead of former World Championship leader Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), with Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) leaving it very late to climb into the top 14.
The rider second in the title race finished ahead of Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) in the top eight, with David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) P9 after the Colombian destroyed his Kalex-Triumph machine at Turn 13 in FP1.
World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) ended Friday in P10, 0.4s away from his teammate, so the Spaniard has work to do to bridge the gap over one lap ahead of qualifying on Saturday. Tune in for that at 13:40 local time!
Maximo Quiles led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. The Spaniard used his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM to lap the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) track in 1:44.078 to lead the field of 26 riders.
David Muñoz, piloting his Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP KTM, was second-best with a time of 1:44.119.
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:44.325.
Quiles rapid out the blocks with P1 on Friday. Moto3’s rumble at Jerez is underway and the Championship leader was straight down to business.
Perfection was the order of the day for Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) as the 18-year-old led the charge on the opening day of his home Grand Prix. P1 across both FP1 and Practice, the #28 has firmly laid down the gauntlet to the opposition ahead of Saturday’s qualifying sessions at Jerez.
Leading for the majority of the session, Quiles left it until late to assert his authority on Practice with a final flying lap seeing him complete a Friday clean sweep. David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) had a stellar return to action after missing the last two rounds, taking second and briefly leading the way a few minutes before the end of the session. A Spanish 1-2, Argentinean star Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) got himself into the top three with an impressive lap banishing any concerns he had after a difficult morning.
Behind the top three, it was a best Friday in more than a year for Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA), with the Italian having been P2 in the morning before securing fourth and a Q2 spot in the afternoon. A welcome return for David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) saw him round out the top five despite pain following on from his recent elbow fracture. Top Honda honours saw Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) in sixth place, just 0.405s adrift of Quiles in P1. There’s also a strong presence of full-time rookies in Q2, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P7, Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) in P8, Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in P10, Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in P11 and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) in P12.
Outside of the top 14 and needing to go through Q1 for a chance at pole, the most-recent new Grand Prix winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) is a big headline, along with Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and 2025 Spanish GP podium finisher Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing). Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) was a late crasher at Turn 9 but scraped through into Q2 in P14.
Fabio Di Giannantonio topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Michelin-shod Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26, the Italian rider turned a lap of 1:36.954 around the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) track and led the 23-rider field.
His teammate, Franco Morbidelli was second-best with a 1:37.242.
Alex Marquez was third with a lap of 1:37.332 on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Marco Bezzecchi got fourth on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 with a lap time of 1:37.347 and Marc Marquez finished the first practice session fifth with a time of 1:37.496 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Di Giannantonio rockets to P1 to lead VR46 1-2 on Friday morning at Jerez.The Spanish GP is off and running but it was the Italian contingency that took over in the opening session of the weekend.
Three weekends off but MotoGP action kicked back off with a bang in Jerez as we hit the Spanish circuit to start our lap of Europe. FP1 welcomed Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) to the top of the running, with the top Ducati in the Championship getting down to business right from the off.
‘Diggia’ was strong right through the session but it was his final run that saw him set his fastest lap time; a 1’36.954, the Italian was the only rider in the 1’36s. It was a return to form for his teammate too, with Franco Morbidelli making it a VR46 1-2, just what The Doctor ordered. Just shy of three tenths behind the #49, Morbidelli was back in good shape after a tricky trip to Brazil and the USA. 2025 Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was third at the flag, edging out Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounded out the top five and had a solid start to his home Grand Prix.
Sixth went to Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) on the new-liveried yellow RS-GP but the bigger highlight was just behind in seventh. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team) put the V4 Yamaha in the top ten on Friday morning, an encouraging start as the more familiar European tracks are likely to offer a better indication of it’s competitivity. Top KTM honours went to Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), just ahead of Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and current-P2 in the Championship, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing). The #89 did suffer a bizarre crash at Turn 3 of his out-lap during the Practice Start Session at the end and whilst he was OK, it was a far from ideal situation.
Out of the top ten, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was 11th whilst further down the order, mechanical gremlins struck Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), with the Turkish rider returning to a circuit he knows well from his time in WorldSBK. The problems didn’t slow him down though and ‘El Turco’ finished the session in P15 and the second Yamaha in the standings at the chequered flag.
Barry Baltus was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Pactice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Belgian rider covered the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) track in 1:39.525 to lead the field of 28 riders.
Celestino Vietti was the best of the rest with a 1:39.555 on his Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro.
Senna Agius was third-fastest with a 1:39.611 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP Kalex.
American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 20th with a 1:40.307 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Maximo Quiles was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Pactice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) road course in 1:44.833, topping the field of 26 riders.
Matteo Bertelle was the best of the rest with a 1:45.228 on his LEVEL UP – MTA KTM.
Quiles’ teammate, Marco Morelli was third with a lap time of 1:45.316.
Time is running out to join GP Motorcycles / Moto Forza / Triumph San Diego at our Chuckwalla Track Day for our May 4th track day at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. We’ll have 3 ride groups every hour throughout the day, with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced running in 20 minute sessions.
The cost is $225 per person per day OR $400 for both if you signup by April 30, 2026. All signups are done through GP Motorcycles’ online store.
As usual, we do a potluck style BBQ at the track the night before from 5-9pm if you want to come and meet new people and eat good food, bring a side dish or protein to toss on the grill.
We put on these track days because we love to ride! And, we like to have fun on our bikes with our customers and get away from the shop for couple days. There is a fair bit of planning and organizing that goes into making these events happen. In all honesty, these are not money-making events for us, and we can only continue do them with your support, so please signup today. As Bartles & Jaymes used to say, “Thank you for your support.”
KTM will be there and they are bringing several demo units that will be available on a first-come first serve basis, as well as raffle give-aways. Come out and meet Factory KTM Pro Racer, and Road and Flat Track Racing Manager, Chris Fillmore.
Mark McPerry from SPIDI Leathers will be joining us again and to celebrate SPIDI’s 50th Anniversary, SPIDI will be raffling off a set of new gloves, one in each of the three ride groups, at the morning Rider’s Meeting.
FIRST-TIMER?
A track day may sound intimidating, but we have a good group of people with instruction in the AM and a mandatory 2 SLOW LAPS IN THE FIRST SESSION led out by expert riders.
A track day is a safe environment to improve your skills becoming a safer and faster rider. If you do track days, it is not only fun, but you will become a safer and more confident rider on the street.
Spectators are more than welcome to come check it out first – but be warned, you’re gonna want ride next time.
Please call GP if you have ANY questions.
GP Motorcycles
3617 India Street, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 233-4762
CHUCKWALLA VALLEY RACEWAY
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway has cabins (think tiny homes) available to rent on site, that are very convenient, and clean and sleep up to 4 people, so you can get a good night’s sleep and get up ready to go, bright and early. Check availability.
For those outdoorsy types, the facility is great! It has large, clean bathrooms, equipped with showers and changing rooms if you want to camp in the pits.
MotoGP heads to Jerez de la Frontera with teams ready for the next round. The Spanish circuit hosts another key weekend as riders look to build momentum in the championship. Below, we share the latest press releases from the teams.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia:
Aprilia Racing heads to Europe: fourth round of the season in Jerez. Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin on the track, Lorenzo Savadori participating as wild car.
Aprilia Racing returns to the track for the fourth round of the season – the first in Europe – at the historic Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto.
Marco Bezzecchi arrives in Spain with a series of consecutive wins under his belt earned in the first three long races, determined to confirm his competitiveness on the Andalusian track as well. Jorge Martín, one of the protagonists of the Austin weekend with the sprint race win and second place in the long race, tackles his home round with the goal of consolidating his good feeling on the RS-GP26.
Completing the line-up will be Lorenzo Salvadori, participating as a wild card and hard at work developing the RS-GP26.
Circuito di Jerez, named for Ángel Nieto, is one of the favourite rounds on the calendar. Stretching out over 4,423 metres, it consists in 13 corners – 8 right-handers and 5 left-handers – with numerous places to overtake.
Jorge Martin (left) and Marco Bezzecchi (right) in the parc fermé after the MotoGP race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Marco Bezzecchi:“I’m extremely happy to be returning to Europe. There are always lots of fans in Jerez and it’s a fantastic track. We have a strong desire to continue doing well, so we’ll try to have a good weekend, working as best we can together with the entire team and also trying to have fun.”
Jorge Martin: “After a great season start, it’s important to confirm those same sensations in Jerez as well. I can’t wait to get back on the track. This is my home race and lots of my fans will be there. It will be a demanding weekend because it has never been one of my best tracks, but I really want to confirm my form and keep working.”
Lorenzo Savadori: “It’s nice to get back to doing a race weekend. We’ll have a few new solutions to test during the weekend with the goal of growing the RS-GP26. It will be important to collect as much information as possible so the updates can be implemented on the two factory riders’ bikes for the tests on Monday.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Spring has sprung – Honda HRC Castrol land in Jerez.
The European leg of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship season opens at the storied circuit in Jerez de la Frontera, Luca Marini and Joan Mir refreshed and ready to ride after an extended early-season break.
Having first hosted a Grand Prix in 1987 and then consistently since 1989, the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto has been home to countless laps and titanic battles in the more than 30 years since. Forecasts are predicting faultless weekend, crucial for the grid to quickly get back up to speed after three weeks between races. This classic circuit has seen Honda take over 20 victories in the premier class.
Luca Marini arrives in Spain leading the Honda march in the World Championship standings, his metronomic consistency awarding him a steady flow of points across Thailand, Brazil and America. With the foundations in place, the #10 and his Honda HRC Castrol crew are aiming to extract the maximum from the Honda RC213V and challenge the front runners on a consistent basis. Advancing directly to Q2 on Friday will be key, Marini frequently able to match the pace of the top five once he has fought his way through the field.
The 4.42 kilometres of Jerez present Joan Mir with another opportunity to show off his impressive pace on the Honda RC213V. Familiar territory will no doubt provide the 2020 MotoGP World Champion with even more confidence to fight towards the front while refining his setup. Able to consistently lead the Honda charge in Qualifying and the races so far in 2026, converting this speed into race finishes and points will be a key focus as the regular rhythm of the season settles in.
A day of testing will follow the Grand Prix, the first chance to evaluate any parts and setting options without the pressure of a race weekend since the season started in Thailand.
Luca Marini (10) and Joan Mir (36). Graphic courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini: “The time between races has been good to train, I’ve done a lot of different things, and I am feeling really physically strong heading into Jerez this weekend. It will be important to get back into the zone as quick as possible as we don’t usually have many breaks like this. Jerez is a circuit that everyone knows really well, and I think it will be a better signal of where we are compared to the other bikes. Like always, getting into Q2 is our first focus of the weekend and then we will see what’s possible on Saturday and Sunday.”
Joan Mir: “I’m looking forward to seeing the team and riding again after these weeks. Jerez is a good circuit to understand many things, and I hope that we can have the same speed we’ve had in the opening races. Our approach doesn’t change; I know that we can be competitive and I will always keep giving my maximum to extract the most from the bike and the situation. It will also be interesting to see what the Monday test brings as well. A busy weekend to get back into the groove.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati:
The European season kicks off for the Ducati Lenovo Team at historic Jerez.
The Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, a classic on the MotoGP calendar, hosts the fourth race of 2026 this weekend, the first of the long European season that will last until mid-September. In Andalucia, the Desmosedici GP has won six times: from Capirossi’s triumph in 2006 to the five consecutive victories in the last five editions with Miller first then Bagnaia with 3 in a row, and A. Márquez’s first Premier Class win last year.
With a remarkable comeback and a top-five finish at COTA, Marc Márquez is back at work for closing the gap to the guys in front and fight for his first podium in the long race of 2026 in front of all his fans. At his home race in 2025, he took P1 in the Sprint, completing a list of three MotoGP victories at the Spanish GP.
Pecco Bagnaia, a true star from 2022 to 2024 and a double third last year, also achieved the same number of victories. He is also seeking his first podium of the season after a convincing second place in the Sprint in America and on the eve of the first official post-race test of 2026, scheduled for next Monday for both riders.
Marc Marquez: “A three-week break that I made the most of to recover for the first European race of the season and the first home Grand Prix just around the corner. I’m happy; Jerez is a track I like, historic, complete, and where there will be lots of fans. Winning the Sprint here last year was special, a unique feeling. I can’t wait to get back at work, especially in preparation for Monday’s test”.
Francesco Bagnaia: “Jerez is a track I really like. One of the classics on the calendar: technical, fast, and complete. I have so many great memories here, including the one from Moto3 and Moto2: podiums, placings, and three MotoGP wins. I can’t wait to get back on track and feel the passion of the many fans and motorcycle enthusiasts who always come to visit us here in Andalucia”.
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Keen to Start European Leg of the 2026 MotoGP Calendar in Spain. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are gearing up for Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Spain, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto this weekend.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are looking forward to starting Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP calendar: the Grand Prix of Spain held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto this weekend. The teammates are shaping up for a busy few days as the Spanish GP is directly followed by a one-day IRTA test.
Quartararo, who turned 27 last Monday, is eager to reconnect with the European fans. Currently 17th in the championship standings, the Frenchman hopes to use the upcoming weekend and the Jerez Test to collect useful data. El Diablo has an impressive Jerez record: he won both opening GPs of the 2020 season at the circuit – his first two premier-class victories – and returned to the podium with second-place finishes in 2022 and last year.
Rins comes to Jerez sitting in 18th overall after a difficult US GP but is determined to bounce back. He is looking forward to the electric Jerez atmosphere to provide an extra boost. The number-42 rider first reached the Spanish GP podium in 2014 with a third place in Moto3, repeated the result in Moto2 in 2016, and secured second place in MotoGP in 2019.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.42km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
Alex Rins (42) and Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo: “It’s nice to be back in action after a three-week break, and starting the European part of the season is always something we look forward to. Jerez is a track with a special atmosphere, the fans are amazing, and you really feel that energy as soon as you arrive. I have good memories at this track. It’s special to me because I won my first MotoGP victory here. We have a busy period ahead with a lot of races in a short time, so the focus is on working step by step and doing our best every weekend.”
Alex Rins: “We’ve had a few weeks without racing, but now we’re back. I’m sure the fans are happy about that! The atmosphere in Jerez is always great, and it’s a circuit I enjoy riding. We know the next couple of months will be very intense with many races close together, so the goal is to stay focused, keep working with the team, and give our maximum each time we’re on track.”
Massimo Meregalli – Team Director:“We return to racing after a three-week break and begin the European leg of the season at Jerez. Not only is this a venue the entire team enjoys, it’s also a track where the fans truly feel the excitement of MotoGP. This round is also the start of an important period. The schedule ahead is very demanding, with eight races in less than twelve weeks before the summer break. On top of that, we also have the Jerez Test on Monday. The team will approach this weekend with fresh motivation and our usual maximum effort. We aim to hit our targets step by step through continuous work in every session, proceeding with the learning process with the new bike.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Begins European Season in Jerez for Spanish Grand Prix. Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP heads to Jerez de la Frontera for Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, marking the start of the European season and a key reference point in the ongoing development of the Yamaha project.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrives at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto for the first European round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, a pivotal phase of the season where the calendar shifts to more familiar circuits with extensive historical data. Jerez is one of the most complete and technical tracks on the calendar, featuring a mix of hard braking zones, flowing medium-speed corners, and limited recovery time between direction changes. With eight left and five right-hand corners and typically high track temperatures, tyre management and front-end confidence are key performance factors over race distance.
For the team, this weekend represents an important benchmark in the development journey of the Yamaha project, as performance can now be more directly compared against the full grid on a circuit where all manufacturers have deep reference data. The focus remains on consolidating set-up direction, improving consistency, and continuing to understand more precisely the requirements of the bike and riders in order to extract greater performance step by step.
Jack Miller (on the left) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (on the right). Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: “I really like Jerez, not only because I enjoy the layout and the feeling of riding here, but also because in the past two years I became World Champion on this track, so I have fantastic memories. I am looking forward to racing here again, which is usually positive for me, but of course we have a new project with the Yamaha bike, so we need to confirm that the good feeling I have with the track can translate to the bike as well. I know the team is working hard to improve the package, so I am looking forward to giving my best, as always, and hopefully achieving a good result.”
Jack Miller: “I am looking forward to kicking off the European campaign. In this break I hope the guys at Yamaha in Japan have been able to find some good solutions and further analyse the data from the first three GPs so we can continue the development of this new bike. I am looking forward to starting this 12-race European stretch on the right foot.”
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “Jerez is the first European race of the year and a completely different circuit compared to the three we have raced at so far, with characteristics that could potentially suit the new Yamaha V4 project better. Of course, we also need to demonstrate over the weekend that we have made the necessary steps to be competitive everywhere. What is positive is that with time we are understanding more clearly what our riders need and what the bike requires to perform better. We approach Jerez with a very positive mindset and the desire to confirm that this project is moving in the right direction.”
More from a press release issued by Yamaha Factory Racing:
Yamaha Factory Racing Team and Augusto Fernández to Get 2026 Testing Plan Under Way at the Spanish GP. The Yamaha Factory Racing Team will kick off their first 2026 MotoGP wild-card race weekend at the Grand Prix of Spain, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Official test rider Augusto Fernández will make the most of the available track time to boost the Yamaha bike’s development.
Yamaha is pleased to confirm that Augusto Fernández and the Yamaha Factory Racing Team will take part in the Grand Prix of Spain race weekend as a wild-card entry with the aim of data gathering for bike development.
Fernández, who is the 2022 Moto2 World Champion and a former premier-class rider (2023-2024), already joined the full-time Yamaha teams at the preseason tests. He is highly motivated to continue his endeavours with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team this weekend at the track where he scored a best result of third place in Moto2 in 2019. His best premier-class result in Jerez is the 13th position he scored in 2023.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.42km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
Augusto Fernandez (7) at Valencia. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Racing Team
Augusto Fernandez – Yamaha Factory Racing Test Rider: “I am very excited about my first wild card of the season and especially since it’s in Jerez. It’s been a long winter for me with not a lot of kms on the MotoGP bike. I can’t wait to be back this weekend.”
After the overwhelming success of the new-for-this-season MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program at Daytona International Speedway, round two of the program at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta exceeded expectations once again. A fundraising effort within the VIP Superfan Experience, the program collects money from the sale of custom-embroidered hats that display MotoAmerica and VIP Superfan logos, as well as Privateer Support Program lettering.
Supersport was the featured class at Road Atlanta, and in honor of the Master’s Tournament that recently took place at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, VIP Superfan Experience host Ron “Slicer” Heben decided to pick the rider ranked 12th in the points standings as a tip of the cap to Master’s Champion Rory McElroy, who won this year’s tournament with a final score of 12 under par.
Doyle holds the big check he received thanks to the generosity of the VIP Superfans who bought commemorative hats with the proceeds going to the very appreciative South African Supersport rider. Photo courtesy MotoAmerica
The rider ranked 12th coming into the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round was Dominic Doyle who races for Liberty Yamaha. The South African, who now lives in Columbus, Indiana, was invited to the Podium Club located on the first floor of the Michelin Tower where he was completely surprised to learn that he was the chosen Privateer.
His team owner Chuck Giacchetto was also in attendance, and Giacchetto was just as surprised as Doyle. At Daytona, Eli Block was presented with a check (and cash) in the amount of $2,525.00, but did the Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceed that very generous donation?
“The outpouring of support for the Privateer Program has been overwhelming,” Heben said. “The incredible generosity of our VIP Superfans is very much appreciated. Even after we presented Dominic with a check for $2,900, we had additional donations, which brought the total contribution to $3,200.00. The Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceeded what the Daytona VIP Superfans contributed, so the challenge is on for the Barber Motorsports Park VIP Superfans to up the ante even more.”
Also, over and above the $3,200 that Doyle received, VP Racing donated a five-gallon container of MotoAmerica-spec race fuel and Motul donated some of their products, as well.
Doyle strikes a pose with his Liberty Yamaha Racing YZF-R9 Supersport bike. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was an awesome surprise to me when I found out I was selected for the Privateer Support Program at Road Atlanta,” commented Doyle. “I can’t thank the VIP Superfans enough for supporting racers like me. Their donation will go a long way and make things a whole lot easier for me. I really appreciate all the VIP Superfans, as well as Motoamerica and Ron Heben for putting this together!”
Thank you to the VIP Superfans, VP Racing, Motul, and all the MotoAmerica racers who visited the Paddock Club and signed hats for the VIP Superfans. We can hardly wait to get to Barber Motorsports Park next month to see how much more the MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program will continue to grow.
Bezzecchi and Aprilia march into enemy territory. The home crowd in Jerez will be partisan – but the records won’t stop coming. Here’s the state of play as MotoGP returns to Europe.
Following a record-breaking weekend across the pond in Austin, Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing land on Spanish soil flying high at the summit of MotoGP. Five wins in a row. 121 consecutive laps led. Domination. The Italian combination, on Sundays at least, have been unstoppable so far in 2026, as Bez goes in search of stretching that streak out further behind enemy lines. And on Saturdays? Read on…
Why enemy lines? Bezzecchi is a popular winner, but the 100,000+ Spanish faithful will be cheering on their own – and one dons the same colours as Bezzecchi. Jorge Martin’s return to form has been one of the stories of the season so far, and after picking up a Tissot Sprint gold medal to go with another Sunday podium in Texas, the 2024 World Champion arrives in Jerez full of confidence. Bezzecchi might have won all three Grands Prix this season, but the #89 is only four points adrift in the championship. The inter-team battle between the factory Aprilia stars is set to be reignited in Andalucia, and it’s those pair who will land at MotoGP’s Spanish cathedral with targets on their back.
In the American part of the Aprilia stable, heartbreak was the name of the game on Sunday afternoon when it comes to Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) too. That maiden MotoGP rostrum seemed to be being reeled in by the Japanese rider before a technical issue struck, so the 2024 Moto2 World Champion will aim to produce the same speed in Jerez. On the other side of the box, Raul Fernandez goes hunting for a podium return on his home turf after a quiet but consistent COTA weekend.
Pedro Acosta (37) at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Chief of the chasers: Acosta & KTM
Brazil might not have sprung any headline-grabbing points, but Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was back to his best in Austin. Yes, that wait for a Sunday win goes on, but Acosta was best of the rest on Sunday behind the Aprilias, and the #37 would have been celebrating a double podium if it wasn’t for a post-Sprint tyre pressure penalty. 21 points is the gap to Bezzecchi, and a first Sunday MotoGP podium in Jerez will be craved.
The silver lining to Acosta’s tyre pressure penalty for KTM? Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the rider promoted to bronze. ‘The Beast’ was on the podium prowl in Austin, so can that form continue into Jerez? Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, was P12 in the USA, so the South African will be hoping a return to Europe can be a turning point in bringing him back towards the front. Unfortunately, we now know that Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) won’t be back in the fray just yet, with Le Mans the new target after he was sidelined in Austin with a literal screw loose from his 2025 shoulder injury. Tech3 will field only Bastianini after a hand injury has also sidelined replacement rider Pol Espargaro.
Marc Marquez (93) at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Searching for a response: Marc Marquez & Ducati
You’d have got unfavourable odds on Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) landing at his home Grand Prix with two Tissot Sprint medals and zero Sunday podiums to his name. However, that’s the situation the #93 finds himself in. 36 points is the deficit to Bezzecchi ahead of Round 4, and after a dramatic US GP, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion sets his sights on a first Sunday victory of 2026. 2019 was the last time Marc Marquez won at the Spanish GP, so can he and Ducati turn the tide and get his title defence properly up and running?
Up and running isn’t the name of the game on the other side of the red box either. Despite a Saturday silver medal in the USA, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered in Sunday’s Grand Prix to see the Italian sit P9 in the standings heading to a circuit he won at in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A repeat would be a treat. A podium will be the objective.
Leading the Ducati fleet into Jerez is the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. The back-to-back polesitter hasn’t finished outside the top six on Sunday this season and has now finished as the top Ducati in the last two Grands Prix. Continuing that record will be tough going in Jerez considering Marc Marquez’s prowess, Bagnaia’s history and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) being last year’s winner at the Circuit, but it wouldn’t be a shock either. Diggia is on a roll.
The aforementioned Alex Marquez sits P8 in the standings ahead of a return to the scene of his dream debut MotoGP win. Without a top three across the Sprints and GPs so far in 2026, the #73 seeks a resurgence in Spain – and so does Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) after the Italian’s P14 in Austin.
The three-weekend break arrived at a good time for some, and that included Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). A P8 in Brazil and P11 in Austin signalled a very solid return to action for the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Aldeguer will arrive at his home Grand Prix fighting fitter as he continues his recovery from a fractured femur sustained in winter.
Joan Mir (36) in Brazil. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Promising signs, but more wanted at HRC
A Sprint podium was agonisingly close for Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in Austin, and a big Sunday haul of points was too. In the end though, it was a zero-pointer weekend for the 2020 World Champion. Teammate Luca Marini did pocket a healthy amount of points for HRC, most notably the Tissot Sprint P5, with progress clearly visible before the European tour begins. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) was also a Sprint point scorer in Austin before his Sunday DNF, while rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) earned a third consecutive P13 to continue his 100% Sunday points streak. A different challenge awaits in Jerez, and one that HRC will hope brings them into the podium equation again.
Fabio Quartararo (20) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (07), Alex Rins (42) and Jack Miller (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Hard work continues at Yamaha
The positive from Austin? Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) getting on the scoreboard for the first time in MotoGP. A P15 isn’t where the impressive Turk or Yamaha want to be finishing, but it’s a good step as they continue to try and wrestle the V4-powered YZR-M1 into a more competitive bike.
Meanwhile, competitive is exactly what Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was at last year’s Spanish GP. The polesitter and P2 Sunday finisher at the Circuit de Jerez-Angel Nieto in 2025 will snap your hand off for a repeat this time around, but who knows – although at a track nearly perfectly suited to him, maybe there is some magic to be made. El Diablo, 2019 Spanish GP podium finisher Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and 2021’s Jerez race winner Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) failed to score points at COTA, so the experienced trio will be fighting to change that in Spain.
Enemy territory for some is home turf for others. Jerez, however, is just a pure classic for us all. The hillsides will be alive with the sound of MotoGP as the sport returns to one of its most emblematic venues, so strap in for this weekend – it’ll be worth the wait.
Complete race results from the 2026 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by VIB-ISO event held April 17-19 at Big Willow, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA.
Senna Agius (81) at Jerez. Photo courtesy IntactGP
Senna Agius led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Circuit de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, Agius lapped the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) road course in 1:38.973, topping the field of 28 riders and breaking Deniz Oncu’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:39.564 from 2025.
Alonso Lopez was second-best with a time of 1:39.052 on his ITALJET Gresini Kalex.
Barry Baltus did a third-fastest 1:39.102 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer got fourth with a lap time of 1:39.194 and Daniel Holgado finished the session fifth on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team Kalex with a 1:39.214.
American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 17th with a best time of 1:39.748 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Agius smashes lap record to front Friday standings in Jerez. The COTA winner set a 1:38.973 to lead Lopez and Baltus into Saturday at the Spanish GP.
Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) is the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s action at the Spanish Grand Prix after the Austin race winner slammed in a new Jerez Moto2 lap record in Practice. The Australian’s 1:38.973 was followed closely by Alonso Lopez’s (Italjet Gresini Moto2) best effort, the Spaniard sits 0.079s away from Agius after the opening day, with FP1 pacesetter Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) third quickest.
It was Baltus who topped the times in the early exchanges before Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rose to P1 with what was briefly a new lap record, before Agius slotted in the fresh Pirelli rubber to move the goalposts in the closing stages. The #81 is the only rider to officially dip into the 1:38s in Jerez, and that time was only six tenths away from Alex Rins’ best lap in MotoGP FP1. Quite the performance.
It was the aforementioned Veijer who ended the session in P4 ahead of former World Championship leader Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), with Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) leaving it very late to climb into the top 14.
The rider second in the title race finished ahead of Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) in the top eight, with David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) P9 after the Colombian destroyed his Kalex-Triumph machine at Turn 13 in FP1.
World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) ended Friday in P10, 0.4s away from his teammate, so the Spaniard has work to do to bridge the gap over one lap ahead of qualifying on Saturday. Tune in for that at 13:40 local time!
Maximo Quiles (28) at Jerez. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Maximo Quiles led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. The Spaniard used his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM to lap the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) track in 1:44.078 to lead the field of 26 riders.
David Muñoz, piloting his Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP KTM, was second-best with a time of 1:44.119.
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:44.325.
Quiles rapid out the blocks with P1 on Friday. Moto3’s rumble at Jerez is underway and the Championship leader was straight down to business.
Perfection was the order of the day for Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) as the 18-year-old led the charge on the opening day of his home Grand Prix. P1 across both FP1 and Practice, the #28 has firmly laid down the gauntlet to the opposition ahead of Saturday’s qualifying sessions at Jerez.
Leading for the majority of the session, Quiles left it until late to assert his authority on Practice with a final flying lap seeing him complete a Friday clean sweep. David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) had a stellar return to action after missing the last two rounds, taking second and briefly leading the way a few minutes before the end of the session. A Spanish 1-2, Argentinean star Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) got himself into the top three with an impressive lap banishing any concerns he had after a difficult morning.
Behind the top three, it was a best Friday in more than a year for Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA), with the Italian having been P2 in the morning before securing fourth and a Q2 spot in the afternoon. A welcome return for David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) saw him round out the top five despite pain following on from his recent elbow fracture. Top Honda honours saw Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) in sixth place, just 0.405s adrift of Quiles in P1. There’s also a strong presence of full-time rookies in Q2, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P7, Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) in P8, Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in P10, Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in P11 and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) in P12.
Outside of the top 14 and needing to go through Q1 for a chance at pole, the most-recent new Grand Prix winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) is a big headline, along with Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and 2025 Spanish GP podium finisher Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing). Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) was a late crasher at Turn 9 but scraped through into Q2 in P14.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Michelin
Fabio Di Giannantonio topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Michelin-shod Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26, the Italian rider turned a lap of 1:36.954 around the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) track and led the 23-rider field.
His teammate, Franco Morbidelli was second-best with a 1:37.242.
Alex Marquez was third with a lap of 1:37.332 on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Marco Bezzecchi got fourth on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 with a lap time of 1:37.347 and Marc Marquez finished the first practice session fifth with a time of 1:37.496 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Di Giannantonio rockets to P1 to lead VR46 1-2 on Friday morning at Jerez.The Spanish GP is off and running but it was the Italian contingency that took over in the opening session of the weekend.
Three weekends off but MotoGP action kicked back off with a bang in Jerez as we hit the Spanish circuit to start our lap of Europe. FP1 welcomed Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) to the top of the running, with the top Ducati in the Championship getting down to business right from the off.
‘Diggia’ was strong right through the session but it was his final run that saw him set his fastest lap time; a 1’36.954, the Italian was the only rider in the 1’36s. It was a return to form for his teammate too, with Franco Morbidelli making it a VR46 1-2, just what The Doctor ordered. Just shy of three tenths behind the #49, Morbidelli was back in good shape after a tricky trip to Brazil and the USA. 2025 Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was third at the flag, edging out Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounded out the top five and had a solid start to his home Grand Prix.
Sixth went to Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) on the new-liveried yellow RS-GP but the bigger highlight was just behind in seventh. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team) put the V4 Yamaha in the top ten on Friday morning, an encouraging start as the more familiar European tracks are likely to offer a better indication of it’s competitivity. Top KTM honours went to Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), just ahead of Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and current-P2 in the Championship, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing). The #89 did suffer a bizarre crash at Turn 3 of his out-lap during the Practice Start Session at the end and whilst he was OK, it was a far from ideal situation.
Out of the top ten, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was 11th whilst further down the order, mechanical gremlins struck Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), with the Turkish rider returning to a circuit he knows well from his time in WorldSBK. The problems didn’t slow him down though and ‘El Turco’ finished the session in P15 and the second Yamaha in the standings at the chequered flag.
Barry Baltus was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Pactice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Belgian rider covered the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) track in 1:39.525 to lead the field of 28 riders.
Celestino Vietti was the best of the rest with a 1:39.555 on his Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro.
Senna Agius was third-fastest with a 1:39.611 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP Kalex.
American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 20th with a 1:40.307 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Maximo Quiles (28) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Aspar Team.
Maximo Quiles was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Pactice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) road course in 1:44.833, topping the field of 26 riders.
Matteo Bertelle was the best of the rest with a 1:45.228 on his LEVEL UP – MTA KTM.
Quiles’ teammate, Marco Morelli was third with a lap time of 1:45.316.
A KTM 990 RC R, one of the machines available for demo rides at the GP Motorcycles/MotoForza track day at Chuckwalla. Photo courtesy KTM
Time is running out to join GP Motorcycles / Moto Forza / Triumph San Diego at our Chuckwalla Track Day for our May 4th track day at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. We’ll have 3 ride groups every hour throughout the day, with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced running in 20 minute sessions.
The cost is $225 per person per day OR $400 for both if you signup by April 30, 2026. All signups are done through GP Motorcycles’ online store.
As usual, we do a potluck style BBQ at the track the night before from 5-9pm if you want to come and meet new people and eat good food, bring a side dish or protein to toss on the grill.
We put on these track days because we love to ride! And, we like to have fun on our bikes with our customers and get away from the shop for couple days. There is a fair bit of planning and organizing that goes into making these events happen. In all honesty, these are not money-making events for us, and we can only continue do them with your support, so please signup today. As Bartles & Jaymes used to say, “Thank you for your support.”
KTM will be there and they are bringing several demo units that will be available on a first-come first serve basis, as well as raffle give-aways. Come out and meet Factory KTM Pro Racer, and Road and Flat Track Racing Manager, Chris Fillmore.
Mark McPerry from SPIDI Leathers will be joining us again and to celebrate SPIDI’s 50th Anniversary, SPIDI will be raffling off a set of new gloves, one in each of the three ride groups, at the morning Rider’s Meeting.
FIRST-TIMER?
A track day may sound intimidating, but we have a good group of people with instruction in the AM and a mandatory 2 SLOW LAPS IN THE FIRST SESSION led out by expert riders.
A track day is a safe environment to improve your skills becoming a safer and faster rider. If you do track days, it is not only fun, but you will become a safer and more confident rider on the street.
Spectators are more than welcome to come check it out first – but be warned, you’re gonna want ride next time.
Please call GP if you have ANY questions.
GP Motorcycles
3617 India Street, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 233-4762
CHUCKWALLA VALLEY RACEWAY
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway has cabins (think tiny homes) available to rent on site, that are very convenient, and clean and sleep up to 4 people, so you can get a good night’s sleep and get up ready to go, bright and early. Check availability.
For those outdoorsy types, the facility is great! It has large, clean bathrooms, equipped with showers and changing rooms if you want to camp in the pits.
MotoGP heads to Jerez de la Frontera with teams ready for the next round. The Spanish circuit hosts another key weekend as riders look to build momentum in the championship. Below, we share the latest press releases from the teams.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia:
Aprilia Racing heads to Europe: fourth round of the season in Jerez. Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin on the track, Lorenzo Savadori participating as wild car.
Aprilia Racing returns to the track for the fourth round of the season – the first in Europe – at the historic Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto.
Marco Bezzecchi arrives in Spain with a series of consecutive wins under his belt earned in the first three long races, determined to confirm his competitiveness on the Andalusian track as well. Jorge Martín, one of the protagonists of the Austin weekend with the sprint race win and second place in the long race, tackles his home round with the goal of consolidating his good feeling on the RS-GP26.
Completing the line-up will be Lorenzo Salvadori, participating as a wild card and hard at work developing the RS-GP26.
Circuito di Jerez, named for Ángel Nieto, is one of the favourite rounds on the calendar. Stretching out over 4,423 metres, it consists in 13 corners – 8 right-handers and 5 left-handers – with numerous places to overtake.
Jorge Martin (left) and Marco Bezzecchi (right) in the parc fermé after the MotoGP race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Marco Bezzecchi:“I’m extremely happy to be returning to Europe. There are always lots of fans in Jerez and it’s a fantastic track. We have a strong desire to continue doing well, so we’ll try to have a good weekend, working as best we can together with the entire team and also trying to have fun.”
Jorge Martin: “After a great season start, it’s important to confirm those same sensations in Jerez as well. I can’t wait to get back on the track. This is my home race and lots of my fans will be there. It will be a demanding weekend because it has never been one of my best tracks, but I really want to confirm my form and keep working.”
Lorenzo Savadori: “It’s nice to get back to doing a race weekend. We’ll have a few new solutions to test during the weekend with the goal of growing the RS-GP26. It will be important to collect as much information as possible so the updates can be implemented on the two factory riders’ bikes for the tests on Monday.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Spring has sprung – Honda HRC Castrol land in Jerez.
The European leg of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship season opens at the storied circuit in Jerez de la Frontera, Luca Marini and Joan Mir refreshed and ready to ride after an extended early-season break.
Having first hosted a Grand Prix in 1987 and then consistently since 1989, the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto has been home to countless laps and titanic battles in the more than 30 years since. Forecasts are predicting faultless weekend, crucial for the grid to quickly get back up to speed after three weeks between races. This classic circuit has seen Honda take over 20 victories in the premier class.
Luca Marini arrives in Spain leading the Honda march in the World Championship standings, his metronomic consistency awarding him a steady flow of points across Thailand, Brazil and America. With the foundations in place, the #10 and his Honda HRC Castrol crew are aiming to extract the maximum from the Honda RC213V and challenge the front runners on a consistent basis. Advancing directly to Q2 on Friday will be key, Marini frequently able to match the pace of the top five once he has fought his way through the field.
The 4.42 kilometres of Jerez present Joan Mir with another opportunity to show off his impressive pace on the Honda RC213V. Familiar territory will no doubt provide the 2020 MotoGP World Champion with even more confidence to fight towards the front while refining his setup. Able to consistently lead the Honda charge in Qualifying and the races so far in 2026, converting this speed into race finishes and points will be a key focus as the regular rhythm of the season settles in.
A day of testing will follow the Grand Prix, the first chance to evaluate any parts and setting options without the pressure of a race weekend since the season started in Thailand.
Luca Marini (10) and Joan Mir (36). Graphic courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini: “The time between races has been good to train, I’ve done a lot of different things, and I am feeling really physically strong heading into Jerez this weekend. It will be important to get back into the zone as quick as possible as we don’t usually have many breaks like this. Jerez is a circuit that everyone knows really well, and I think it will be a better signal of where we are compared to the other bikes. Like always, getting into Q2 is our first focus of the weekend and then we will see what’s possible on Saturday and Sunday.”
Joan Mir: “I’m looking forward to seeing the team and riding again after these weeks. Jerez is a good circuit to understand many things, and I hope that we can have the same speed we’ve had in the opening races. Our approach doesn’t change; I know that we can be competitive and I will always keep giving my maximum to extract the most from the bike and the situation. It will also be interesting to see what the Monday test brings as well. A busy weekend to get back into the groove.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati:
The European season kicks off for the Ducati Lenovo Team at historic Jerez.
The Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, a classic on the MotoGP calendar, hosts the fourth race of 2026 this weekend, the first of the long European season that will last until mid-September. In Andalucia, the Desmosedici GP has won six times: from Capirossi’s triumph in 2006 to the five consecutive victories in the last five editions with Miller first then Bagnaia with 3 in a row, and A. Márquez’s first Premier Class win last year.
With a remarkable comeback and a top-five finish at COTA, Marc Márquez is back at work for closing the gap to the guys in front and fight for his first podium in the long race of 2026 in front of all his fans. At his home race in 2025, he took P1 in the Sprint, completing a list of three MotoGP victories at the Spanish GP.
Pecco Bagnaia, a true star from 2022 to 2024 and a double third last year, also achieved the same number of victories. He is also seeking his first podium of the season after a convincing second place in the Sprint in America and on the eve of the first official post-race test of 2026, scheduled for next Monday for both riders.
Marc Marquez: “A three-week break that I made the most of to recover for the first European race of the season and the first home Grand Prix just around the corner. I’m happy; Jerez is a track I like, historic, complete, and where there will be lots of fans. Winning the Sprint here last year was special, a unique feeling. I can’t wait to get back at work, especially in preparation for Monday’s test”.
Francesco Bagnaia: “Jerez is a track I really like. One of the classics on the calendar: technical, fast, and complete. I have so many great memories here, including the one from Moto3 and Moto2: podiums, placings, and three MotoGP wins. I can’t wait to get back on track and feel the passion of the many fans and motorcycle enthusiasts who always come to visit us here in Andalucia”.
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Keen to Start European Leg of the 2026 MotoGP Calendar in Spain. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are gearing up for Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Spain, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto this weekend.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are looking forward to starting Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP calendar: the Grand Prix of Spain held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto this weekend. The teammates are shaping up for a busy few days as the Spanish GP is directly followed by a one-day IRTA test.
Quartararo, who turned 27 last Monday, is eager to reconnect with the European fans. Currently 17th in the championship standings, the Frenchman hopes to use the upcoming weekend and the Jerez Test to collect useful data. El Diablo has an impressive Jerez record: he won both opening GPs of the 2020 season at the circuit – his first two premier-class victories – and returned to the podium with second-place finishes in 2022 and last year.
Rins comes to Jerez sitting in 18th overall after a difficult US GP but is determined to bounce back. He is looking forward to the electric Jerez atmosphere to provide an extra boost. The number-42 rider first reached the Spanish GP podium in 2014 with a third place in Moto3, repeated the result in Moto2 in 2016, and secured second place in MotoGP in 2019.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.42km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
Alex Rins (42) and Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo: “It’s nice to be back in action after a three-week break, and starting the European part of the season is always something we look forward to. Jerez is a track with a special atmosphere, the fans are amazing, and you really feel that energy as soon as you arrive. I have good memories at this track. It’s special to me because I won my first MotoGP victory here. We have a busy period ahead with a lot of races in a short time, so the focus is on working step by step and doing our best every weekend.”
Alex Rins: “We’ve had a few weeks without racing, but now we’re back. I’m sure the fans are happy about that! The atmosphere in Jerez is always great, and it’s a circuit I enjoy riding. We know the next couple of months will be very intense with many races close together, so the goal is to stay focused, keep working with the team, and give our maximum each time we’re on track.”
Massimo Meregalli – Team Director:“We return to racing after a three-week break and begin the European leg of the season at Jerez. Not only is this a venue the entire team enjoys, it’s also a track where the fans truly feel the excitement of MotoGP. This round is also the start of an important period. The schedule ahead is very demanding, with eight races in less than twelve weeks before the summer break. On top of that, we also have the Jerez Test on Monday. The team will approach this weekend with fresh motivation and our usual maximum effort. We aim to hit our targets step by step through continuous work in every session, proceeding with the learning process with the new bike.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Begins European Season in Jerez for Spanish Grand Prix. Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP heads to Jerez de la Frontera for Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, marking the start of the European season and a key reference point in the ongoing development of the Yamaha project.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrives at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto for the first European round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, a pivotal phase of the season where the calendar shifts to more familiar circuits with extensive historical data. Jerez is one of the most complete and technical tracks on the calendar, featuring a mix of hard braking zones, flowing medium-speed corners, and limited recovery time between direction changes. With eight left and five right-hand corners and typically high track temperatures, tyre management and front-end confidence are key performance factors over race distance.
For the team, this weekend represents an important benchmark in the development journey of the Yamaha project, as performance can now be more directly compared against the full grid on a circuit where all manufacturers have deep reference data. The focus remains on consolidating set-up direction, improving consistency, and continuing to understand more precisely the requirements of the bike and riders in order to extract greater performance step by step.
Jack Miller (on the left) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (on the right). Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: “I really like Jerez, not only because I enjoy the layout and the feeling of riding here, but also because in the past two years I became World Champion on this track, so I have fantastic memories. I am looking forward to racing here again, which is usually positive for me, but of course we have a new project with the Yamaha bike, so we need to confirm that the good feeling I have with the track can translate to the bike as well. I know the team is working hard to improve the package, so I am looking forward to giving my best, as always, and hopefully achieving a good result.”
Jack Miller: “I am looking forward to kicking off the European campaign. In this break I hope the guys at Yamaha in Japan have been able to find some good solutions and further analyse the data from the first three GPs so we can continue the development of this new bike. I am looking forward to starting this 12-race European stretch on the right foot.”
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “Jerez is the first European race of the year and a completely different circuit compared to the three we have raced at so far, with characteristics that could potentially suit the new Yamaha V4 project better. Of course, we also need to demonstrate over the weekend that we have made the necessary steps to be competitive everywhere. What is positive is that with time we are understanding more clearly what our riders need and what the bike requires to perform better. We approach Jerez with a very positive mindset and the desire to confirm that this project is moving in the right direction.”
More from a press release issued by Yamaha Factory Racing:
Yamaha Factory Racing Team and Augusto Fernández to Get 2026 Testing Plan Under Way at the Spanish GP. The Yamaha Factory Racing Team will kick off their first 2026 MotoGP wild-card race weekend at the Grand Prix of Spain, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Official test rider Augusto Fernández will make the most of the available track time to boost the Yamaha bike’s development.
Yamaha is pleased to confirm that Augusto Fernández and the Yamaha Factory Racing Team will take part in the Grand Prix of Spain race weekend as a wild-card entry with the aim of data gathering for bike development.
Fernández, who is the 2022 Moto2 World Champion and a former premier-class rider (2023-2024), already joined the full-time Yamaha teams at the preseason tests. He is highly motivated to continue his endeavours with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team this weekend at the track where he scored a best result of third place in Moto2 in 2019. His best premier-class result in Jerez is the 13th position he scored in 2023.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.42km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
Augusto Fernandez (7) at Valencia. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Racing Team
Augusto Fernandez – Yamaha Factory Racing Test Rider: “I am very excited about my first wild card of the season and especially since it’s in Jerez. It’s been a long winter for me with not a lot of kms on the MotoGP bike. I can’t wait to be back this weekend.”
The 12th-ranked Supersport rider going into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta was Dominic Doyle, and he was selected as the latest benefactor of the VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The MotoAmerica VIP Superfans did it again.
After the overwhelming success of the new-for-this-season MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program at Daytona International Speedway, round two of the program at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta exceeded expectations once again. A fundraising effort within the VIP Superfan Experience, the program collects money from the sale of custom-embroidered hats that display MotoAmerica and VIP Superfan logos, as well as Privateer Support Program lettering.
Supersport was the featured class at Road Atlanta, and in honor of the Master’s Tournament that recently took place at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, VIP Superfan Experience host Ron “Slicer” Heben decided to pick the rider ranked 12th in the points standings as a tip of the cap to Master’s Champion Rory McElroy, who won this year’s tournament with a final score of 12 under par.
Doyle holds the big check he received thanks to the generosity of the VIP Superfans who bought commemorative hats with the proceeds going to the very appreciative South African Supersport rider. Photo courtesy MotoAmerica
The rider ranked 12th coming into the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round was Dominic Doyle who races for Liberty Yamaha. The South African, who now lives in Columbus, Indiana, was invited to the Podium Club located on the first floor of the Michelin Tower where he was completely surprised to learn that he was the chosen Privateer.
His team owner Chuck Giacchetto was also in attendance, and Giacchetto was just as surprised as Doyle. At Daytona, Eli Block was presented with a check (and cash) in the amount of $2,525.00, but did the Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceed that very generous donation?
“The outpouring of support for the Privateer Program has been overwhelming,” Heben said. “The incredible generosity of our VIP Superfans is very much appreciated. Even after we presented Dominic with a check for $2,900, we had additional donations, which brought the total contribution to $3,200.00. The Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceeded what the Daytona VIP Superfans contributed, so the challenge is on for the Barber Motorsports Park VIP Superfans to up the ante even more.”
Also, over and above the $3,200 that Doyle received, VP Racing donated a five-gallon container of MotoAmerica-spec race fuel and Motul donated some of their products, as well.
Doyle strikes a pose with his Liberty Yamaha Racing YZF-R9 Supersport bike. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was an awesome surprise to me when I found out I was selected for the Privateer Support Program at Road Atlanta,” commented Doyle. “I can’t thank the VIP Superfans enough for supporting racers like me. Their donation will go a long way and make things a whole lot easier for me. I really appreciate all the VIP Superfans, as well as Motoamerica and Ron Heben for putting this together!”
Thank you to the VIP Superfans, VP Racing, Motul, and all the MotoAmerica racers who visited the Paddock Club and signed hats for the VIP Superfans. We can hardly wait to get to Barber Motorsports Park next month to see how much more the MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program will continue to grow.
Marco Bezzecchi (72), Pedro Acosta (37), Marc Marquez (93), Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the MotoGP Race at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Bezzecchi and Aprilia march into enemy territory. The home crowd in Jerez will be partisan – but the records won’t stop coming. Here’s the state of play as MotoGP returns to Europe.
Following a record-breaking weekend across the pond in Austin, Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing land on Spanish soil flying high at the summit of MotoGP. Five wins in a row. 121 consecutive laps led. Domination. The Italian combination, on Sundays at least, have been unstoppable so far in 2026, as Bez goes in search of stretching that streak out further behind enemy lines. And on Saturdays? Read on…
Why enemy lines? Bezzecchi is a popular winner, but the 100,000+ Spanish faithful will be cheering on their own – and one dons the same colours as Bezzecchi. Jorge Martin’s return to form has been one of the stories of the season so far, and after picking up a Tissot Sprint gold medal to go with another Sunday podium in Texas, the 2024 World Champion arrives in Jerez full of confidence. Bezzecchi might have won all three Grands Prix this season, but the #89 is only four points adrift in the championship. The inter-team battle between the factory Aprilia stars is set to be reignited in Andalucia, and it’s those pair who will land at MotoGP’s Spanish cathedral with targets on their back.
In the American part of the Aprilia stable, heartbreak was the name of the game on Sunday afternoon when it comes to Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) too. That maiden MotoGP rostrum seemed to be being reeled in by the Japanese rider before a technical issue struck, so the 2024 Moto2 World Champion will aim to produce the same speed in Jerez. On the other side of the box, Raul Fernandez goes hunting for a podium return on his home turf after a quiet but consistent COTA weekend.
Pedro Acosta (37) at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Chief of the chasers: Acosta & KTM
Brazil might not have sprung any headline-grabbing points, but Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was back to his best in Austin. Yes, that wait for a Sunday win goes on, but Acosta was best of the rest on Sunday behind the Aprilias, and the #37 would have been celebrating a double podium if it wasn’t for a post-Sprint tyre pressure penalty. 21 points is the gap to Bezzecchi, and a first Sunday MotoGP podium in Jerez will be craved.
The silver lining to Acosta’s tyre pressure penalty for KTM? Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the rider promoted to bronze. ‘The Beast’ was on the podium prowl in Austin, so can that form continue into Jerez? Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, was P12 in the USA, so the South African will be hoping a return to Europe can be a turning point in bringing him back towards the front. Unfortunately, we now know that Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) won’t be back in the fray just yet, with Le Mans the new target after he was sidelined in Austin with a literal screw loose from his 2025 shoulder injury. Tech3 will field only Bastianini after a hand injury has also sidelined replacement rider Pol Espargaro.
Marc Marquez (93) at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Searching for a response: Marc Marquez & Ducati
You’d have got unfavourable odds on Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) landing at his home Grand Prix with two Tissot Sprint medals and zero Sunday podiums to his name. However, that’s the situation the #93 finds himself in. 36 points is the deficit to Bezzecchi ahead of Round 4, and after a dramatic US GP, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion sets his sights on a first Sunday victory of 2026. 2019 was the last time Marc Marquez won at the Spanish GP, so can he and Ducati turn the tide and get his title defence properly up and running?
Up and running isn’t the name of the game on the other side of the red box either. Despite a Saturday silver medal in the USA, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered in Sunday’s Grand Prix to see the Italian sit P9 in the standings heading to a circuit he won at in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A repeat would be a treat. A podium will be the objective.
Leading the Ducati fleet into Jerez is the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. The back-to-back polesitter hasn’t finished outside the top six on Sunday this season and has now finished as the top Ducati in the last two Grands Prix. Continuing that record will be tough going in Jerez considering Marc Marquez’s prowess, Bagnaia’s history and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) being last year’s winner at the Circuit, but it wouldn’t be a shock either. Diggia is on a roll.
The aforementioned Alex Marquez sits P8 in the standings ahead of a return to the scene of his dream debut MotoGP win. Without a top three across the Sprints and GPs so far in 2026, the #73 seeks a resurgence in Spain – and so does Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) after the Italian’s P14 in Austin.
The three-weekend break arrived at a good time for some, and that included Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). A P8 in Brazil and P11 in Austin signalled a very solid return to action for the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Aldeguer will arrive at his home Grand Prix fighting fitter as he continues his recovery from a fractured femur sustained in winter.
Joan Mir (36) in Brazil. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Promising signs, but more wanted at HRC
A Sprint podium was agonisingly close for Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in Austin, and a big Sunday haul of points was too. In the end though, it was a zero-pointer weekend for the 2020 World Champion. Teammate Luca Marini did pocket a healthy amount of points for HRC, most notably the Tissot Sprint P5, with progress clearly visible before the European tour begins. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) was also a Sprint point scorer in Austin before his Sunday DNF, while rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) earned a third consecutive P13 to continue his 100% Sunday points streak. A different challenge awaits in Jerez, and one that HRC will hope brings them into the podium equation again.
Fabio Quartararo (20) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (07), Alex Rins (42) and Jack Miller (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Hard work continues at Yamaha
The positive from Austin? Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) getting on the scoreboard for the first time in MotoGP. A P15 isn’t where the impressive Turk or Yamaha want to be finishing, but it’s a good step as they continue to try and wrestle the V4-powered YZR-M1 into a more competitive bike.
Meanwhile, competitive is exactly what Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was at last year’s Spanish GP. The polesitter and P2 Sunday finisher at the Circuit de Jerez-Angel Nieto in 2025 will snap your hand off for a repeat this time around, but who knows – although at a track nearly perfectly suited to him, maybe there is some magic to be made. El Diablo, 2019 Spanish GP podium finisher Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and 2021’s Jerez race winner Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) failed to score points at COTA, so the experienced trio will be fighting to change that in Spain.
Enemy territory for some is home turf for others. Jerez, however, is just a pure classic for us all. The hillsides will be alive with the sound of MotoGP as the sport returns to one of its most emblematic venues, so strap in for this weekend – it’ll be worth the wait.
David Tompkins (33Q), Marc Brown (135), Rick Redick (289), John Snead (9A). Photo by Mina Hami, BluGroove Media
Complete race results from the 2026 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by VIB-ISO event held April 17-19 at Big Willow, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA.
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