Royalty Racing has announced that Carson King will enter the Supersport Championship for the 2026 MotoAmerica season.
King, who is from Caseyville, Illinois, will be aboard the #35 Suzuki GSX-R750 beginning next month when he races in his first Daytona 200. After progressing through both the Junior Cup Championship and the Talent Cup Championship where he recorded multiple top-four finishes and qualified on the front row multiple times, this will be the 17-year-old’s third full season in MotoAmerica.
King is 17 years old and lives in Caseyville, Illinois. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The move up to Supersport marks the next step in King’s development as he faces a deeper, more experienced field of riders. Royalty Racing team owner Travis King commented, “Carson was a little bit oversized for the Talent Cup bike, and we’re excited to see what he can do on a bike that fits him better and has plenty of power.”
King and his Royalty Racing team are supported by Window Depot, MotoSetup Pro, Woodcraft Technologies, Dunlop, Bison, Helmet House, Shoei, and Vortex.
The Daytona 200 kicks off the 2026 MotoAmerica season on March 5 through 8 at Daytona International Speedway.
For the full 2026 MotoAmerica schedule and to purchase tickets for MotoAmerica events, click HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica series, click HERE
Thousands of motorcycle riders again made their annual pilgrimage to Southland for the 19th annual Burt Munro Challenge festival this year and all were rewarded with special memories to cherish.
Perhaps the most special moments of all, however, belonged to Bay of Plenty racer Mitch Rees as he took his Honda CBR1000RR-R to a perfect run of wins in two separate elements of the week-long extravaganza.
The 33-year-old businessman from Whakatane, the multi-time and current champion in both the New Zealand Superbike Championships and the popular Suzuki International Series as well, proved to be almost unstoppable at the opening event of the multi-discipline four-day festival on Thursday, despite extra challenges being put in front of him.
Rees headed off Wakefield rider Angus Phyn in the series of sprint races to the top of Bluff Hill, recapturing the trophy he had also collected when he won the same race at the Bluff Hill event the last time he raced there in 2018.
His father, Tony Rees (on an identical Honda CBR1000RR-R) is currently recovering from an injury sustained while racing at Manfeild in December – he won the Bluff Hill race last season (and also in 2023, and 2024) – and he acted as his son’s mechanic during this year’s Burt Munro Challenge.
Meanwhile, the reigning national superbike champion was on a mission at the Teretonga Park, the venue hosting the second round of four in the 2026 New Zealand Superbike Championships (NZSBK), with this separate two-day event being included within the Burt Munro Challenge programme.
However, while the elite 1000cc Formula One and superbike class riders were being raced on the track simultaneously, the two classes were scored separately.
Even so, Mitch Rees qualified fastest rider over both categories at the weekend and, despite a massive delay between when the NZSBK riders were set off at the race start and the Burt Munro F1 riders were released, Rees made short work of powering through the entire gaggle of bikes, impressively winning the first combined race of the weekend.
Rees was further nobbled in the last race on Sunday, the delay increased further between when the NZSBK riders were started and the F1 Burt Munro categories were launched, and he was unfortunately unable to bridge the gap in the short eight-lap race.
Mitch Rees was unbeaten in his four F1 race category outings over Saturday and Sunday, with Richmond rider Heath Botica (Ducati V4S 1100) finishing F1 class runner-up.
“I was forced to start behind the superbike riders and then battle through traffic in all the races, but I had a lot of fun,”said Rees afterwards.
“I set a new track record at the same time.
“I’m going international for the next wee while and that’s why I’m not defending my superbike crown in the nationals this season,”he explained.
“I have the Isle of Man races coming up in May and June, but, before that, I will race a couple of rounds of the British Superbike Championships in early May and also the North-west 200 in Northern Ireland that same month.”
Meanwhile, as regards the off-road brigade, the popular beach race phase of the Burt Munro Challenge again attracted hundreds of riders to Oreti Beach from all over New Zealand and from overseas too.
Southlander Johnny Racz (Honda CRF450, from Otautau) was simply too quick for his rivals, winning the main 50-lap feature race, finishing two laps ahead of runner-up rider Matthew Davies (Husqvarna FC450), of Australia.
With these major event wins ticked off, the Honda brigade certainly had reason to celebrate the Burt Munro Challenge 2026.
The 2026 season is officially underway for Bodie Paige and Jake Paige, as the brothers opened their Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup campaign with the first official test at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
This season, the Paige brothers are racing both the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup and the full MotoAmerica series.
Sepang Test Results – Day One (Combined Sessions)
Monday’s combined morning and afternoon sessions delivered clear progress for both riders:
Bodie Paige – 9th overall
Fastest lap: 2:18.871
Bodie Paige (12) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Moto4 Asia Talent Cup.
Jake Paige – 20th overall
Fastest lap: 2:20.773
In a 22-rider international field, Bodie finished inside the top 10, less than two seconds from the fastest time, while Jake continued to build pace on a challenging circuit.
The Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup is a key step on the Road to MotoGP, running alongside select MotoGP events across Asia and the Pacific region. The official 2026 series schedule can be found below.
Former Grand Prix crew chief Peter Bom traveled to Sepang for the first tests of the 2026 MotoGP season, and he sits down with Roadracing World MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley to share his first-hand insights in the latest edition of the Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (February 7, 2026) – The fifth round of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship was headlined by the largest audience ever for a Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship race inside State Farm Stadium, which also included unprecedented attendance at FanFest. The record crowd was treated to a memorable night of racing that provided a shakeup of the early 450SMX Class title fight as Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen became the fourth different winner in the first five races, while Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence took over the points lead. It all unfolded after misfortune hindered entering points leader and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Eli Tomac to a finish outside the top 10.
Ken Roczen Wins in Glendale to Become Fourth Different Winnerin Five Races to Open 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Season.
The 450SMX Class Main Event began with ISRT MX4Christ Kawasaki’s Vince Friese briefly out front for the holeshot before Lawrence grabbed the early lead ahead of Roczen and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion and winner of last weekend’s race in Houston. Behind them, Tomac was taken to the ground entering the first turn by Quad Lock Honda’s Christian Craig, who lost traction and collided with his KTM-mounted counterpart. Tomac took his time to re-enter the race and resumed well back of the field in 22nd place. Back up front, Lawrence paced the field for the opening stint of the 20 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event until Roczen went on the attack and seized control of the lead with about 16 minutes left on the race clock. The German’s impressive pace allowed him to establish a lead of about 3.5 seconds, which he managed for the majority of the race. Lawrence asserted a firm hold of second, as Webb slowly lost touch with the lead duo and soon settled in all by himself in third. As the lead trio strengthened their respective positions, the attention shifted to Tomac and his recovery from the early misfortune. Once he caught the rear of the field, Tomac methodically worked his way up the running order, picking off riders one-by-one until he found himself on the cusp of the top 10 in the closing stages of the race.
Roczen went unchallenged en route to his fifth victory inside State Farm Stadium, where he took the checkered flag 3.3 seconds ahead of Lawrence, who captured a fourth straight runner-up finish. Webb followed up his win with a third-place effort, while Tomac climbed up to 12th and salvaged what could have been a devastating night in the championship.
Roczen’s triumph was the 24th of his decorated career and he has now emerged victorious across seven consecutive seasons. It served as an emotional win for the veteran, following a Friday announcement from Pipes Motorsports Group that revealed esteemed team manager Larry Brooks has been diagnosed with cancer and has taken a leave from the races as he undergoes treatment.
Lawrence, whose fifth career runner-up is tied for the second-most without a win in series history, moved atop the 450SMX Class standings and took possession of the red plate for the first time in the premier division. He currently holds a five-point lead over Roczen, while Tomac dropped to third, eight points behind Lawrence.
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen became the fourth different winner in five races with an impressive performance in Glendale. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Ken Roczen – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“This feels unreal. I got a good start and then Friese cut me off going into the first turn, which I expected, which slowed my momentum a little bit. [Eventually] I was able to pass Hunter [Lawrence] and I knew it was going to be a long Main Event because trying to put a gap [on the field] was really hard and the track was tricky. It was just so fast, and everything was built super tall. I’m just really happy.
“I want to dedicate this win specifically to Larry [Brooks]. He hasn’t been able to be with us here the last few races. It really hurts all of our hearts. He loves this more than anybody. This one goes out to him.”
With his fourth straight runner-up finish Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence has moved atop the 450SMX Class standings for the first time. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It’s bittersweet. I got a great start and was in a great position. Kenny [Roczen] was riding unreal tonight. He was riding a lot better than me in the first 10 minutes and opened that gap. I just didn’t quite have it. I didn’t feel amazing, just flat, but not bad. We’ll take it. [Getting] the red plate is cool, but we’ve got a long season ahead.”
One week after his first win of the season defending champion Cooper Webb finished third aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Cooper Webb – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It was a good night overall. I think we know this hasn’t always been my best place [results wise], so I was really happy with that result. Kenny [Roczen] was riding awesome and I was right there with Hunter [Lawrence] for a bit and then he started inching away. I fell into a bit of a no-man’s land and took it for a third. I’m happy with that. Happy to leave here with good points. A podium here is a win for me.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Ken Rcozen, and Cooper Webb. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac endured through his toughest night of the young season and lost his hold of the points lead after a 12th-place finish. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac – 12th Place – 450SMX Class:
“I put myself in a position where bad things can happen. I started off a little bit pinched [by other riders] and then got taken out by Craig. I don’t know what happened before that or why he crashed. All I know is Craig hit me and I was done. It took me a little while to get warmed up again, to get my body loosened up and going. That’s what I had to get back to 12th. The good thing is we’re not too far down [in the championship]. We’ll just have to do some digging now.”
Haiden Deegan Goes Wire-to-Wire for Fourth Straight 250SMX Class Victory.
The fifth race of the Western Divisional 250SMX Class was arguably the most dominant yet for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, the reigning West champion. He stormed out the gate to open the 15 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event with a convincing holeshot that he turned into a multi-second lead just a couple laps into the race. From there, Deegan never looked back and continued to add to his advantage. Fellow Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Michael Mosiman gave chase from second, while Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco battled for third. McAdoo held the position initially but gave way to DiFrancesco for several laps before the Kawasaki rider reclaimed the position and inched away from his rival. As the race wore on, all eyes centered on Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, who was on an incredible charge through the field after he rounded the first turn in 19th place. The Washington native made an improbable climb into the top five and then passed his teammate McAdoo to move into podium position with less than three minutes remaining. Kitchen’s journey forward didn’t end there as he caught and passed Mosiman for second with 90 seconds to go and even had Deegan in his sights on the final lap.
Deegan’s command of the Main Event was never threatened, and he easily amassed a wire-to-wire performance for his fourth straight victory. He took the 11th win of his career by 4.1 seconds over Kitchen, who passed 17 riders to secure back-to-back runner-up finishes. McAdoo made a late charge to catch and pass Mosiman and finish third for the second consecutive race, which resulted in an identical podium from the previous race.
Deegan further solidified his command of the Western Divisional standings and has a lead of more than a single race, at 27 points over Mosiman, who finished fourth. DiFrancesco, who finished fifth, sits third, 29 points out of the lead. McAdoo and Kitchen sit fifth and sixth, respectively.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan went wire-to-wire for his fourth straight Western Divisional 250SMX Class victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Haiden Deegan – 1st Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class:
“These races have been solid. Lots of hard work with the family and the team. Thank you to Yamaha and the whole Star Racing team, my bike is amazing. This feels good. The hard work I put in this offseason, it’s paid off. It shows who works hard and who doesn’t.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen impressed in a runner-up effort that saw him pass 17 riders in a climb from 19th to second. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Levi Kitchen – 2nd Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It’s a good night with a lot of positives, but there’s always a negative in my nights [as well]. I can’t be doing that when [Deegan] is doing everything right. Track position is really important, and I didn’t help myself there, but I feel good. I’ve just got to keep working and keep fighting.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo earned his third podium finish in the past four races. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Cameron McAdoo – 3rd Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class:
“I fought hard for that one. I got myself into third on the first lap and then in the option lane I chose the inside, which let Ryder [DiFrancesco] slingshot around me. Then I got him [back for third], then Levi [Kitchen] came and got me [for third]. With three to go I was fourth and I was pretty far from Michael [Mosiman], but I had been digging the whole time. I saw him and saw where I had some more in the tank and just made it happen.”
Western Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right) Levi Kitchen, Haiden Deegan, and Cameron McAdoo. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday for the sixth race of the season from Seattle’s Lumen Field. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final will go on pre-sale Tuesday, Jan. 27, with general tickets on-sale to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
The Malaysian capital hosted an incredible 2026 Season Launch, full of fans, noise and headline acts – from the riders to the performers.
MotoGP descended on downtown Kuala Lumpur this weekend for an unforgettable Season Launch. Not just one, but TWO days of MotoGP’s takeover in Malaysia’s capital city culminated in an estimated 20,000 fans coming out to welcome their heroes to the show run and stunning stage finale.
First, the official opening party added some glitz and glamour, held in the Permata Sapura Tower on Friday evening – with a stunning view across the city. Fans greeted the riders on the red carpet as the paddock turned out in black tie before it was time to get suited and booted for the main event.
After the bikes headed around the city on display throughout Friday, on Saturday night it was time to fire up the engines and take them for a spin for the Show Run. Rain ahead of go time only added to the intensity before the weather calmed and the engines starting warming up. Team by team, the riders did two show laps – and added some flair – on their way to the stage to greet the crowd.
The show kicked off at 19:30 and the first bikes headed out through the fan-lined streets from 20:00. After each of the heroes of the 2026 grid had made their appearances, award-winning band The Script took to the stage – adding to performances from DJ PAWSA and Malaysian band DOLLA. The close of the show saw the riders join The Script on stage for their final photo op, signing off in style.
After a stunner to launch the 2026 season, fans don’t have to wait long for more action from the most exciting sport on Earth. The Buriram Test is another two days of track action as the sporting storylines of the season continue to unfold, before it’s finally time for the lights to go out on racing. Buriram, Thailand, March 1 – save the date and join us for the start of a season already guaranteed to make history as 22 Grands Prix await.
PHOTOS – SEASON LAUNCH:
Jack Miller on the left and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu on the right. Photo courtesy Dorna
Francesco Bagnaia (63) and Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna
Joan Mir (36) and Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Dorna
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy Dorna
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy Dorna
Marco Bezzecchi (on the left) and Jorge Martin (on the right). Photo courtesy Dorna
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Dorna
Maverick Viñales (12) and Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna
Alex Marquez (73). Photo courtesy Dorna
Johann Zarco (5) and Diogo Moreira (11). Photo courtesy Dorna
Photos from Friday as the most exciting sport on Earth touches down in KLCC.
The Opening Party takes place tonight in KL for the 2026 MotoGP Season Launch, and the riders headed out for a photo op first, with the iconic PETRONAS towers serving as a backdrop.
On Saturday night, the show run and incredible stage event will take place just underneath the towers. Find out more HERE and come back for more tomorrow as MotoGP stages a night to remember.
MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy Dorna
MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy Dorna
Alex Marquez fends off Bezzecchi as sun sets on Sepang Test. The 2025 GP winner is top but ‘Bez’ is hot on the chase as testing concludes in Malaysia.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) remains top of the pile as action concludes at Sepang, with the #73 – who won the Grand Prix in Malaysia last year – having just enough in hand to edge out Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) in second after a late push. Completing the top three is Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) after three days of interesting testing, with plenty to talk about beyond one-lap pace.
Marc Marquez (93) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna.
BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP, DUCATI LENOVO TEAM, PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM:
The fastest Sprint simulation of the day went to 2025 silver medallist Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who, upon completion of his 10-lap Sprint trial, had an average lap time of a 1’58.027. He ended the day fastest too with a 1’56.402; the #73 is very much in the groove at the track where he was victorious at last year.
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) ran the 2025 front aero on both bikes during the morning and sampled elements of the 2026 aero package. However, the #93 suffered his first crash of the year at Turn 1 but was perfectly OK. For teammate Francesco Bagnaia, he stated he felt more comfortable than at any point throughout the Grand Prix weekend in October whilst also declaring which aero package he preferred. Interestingly, over a 10-lap Sprint simulation, the #63 had the upper-hand over his teammate, leaving food for thought within the factory Ducati squad. It’s fourth for Marquez and sixth for Bagnaia across the three days, attention turns to Buriram’s test.
Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was another Ducati rider who fell, crashing at Turn 14. The Italian’s work focused mainly on adapting to the GP25 which he inherits for the new season and he ended the test in seventh across all days – with Diggia on the GP26 in that top three.
Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna
APRILIA RACING & TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM:
Bezzecchi ends the test second and as top Aprilia after a busy few days, topping the final session of Thursday. We’ve seen new aero options for the seat unit – call it what you want but it is certainly innovative – and despite being a full-time rider down with Jorge Martin’s (Aprilia Racing) absence, the Noale factory can leave buoyed by their breakthroughs. The final day saw the #72’s Sprint simulation end in the high 1’58s but at a circuit they’ve historically struggled at, they can say they’re back in BEZness.
In the Trackhouse camp, Raul Fernandez was their shining light as he finished seventh on the final day and P10 overall in what was a complete contrast to his 2025 testing struggles and subsequent day one crash. On the other side, Ai Ogura’s incremental improvements saw him finish P12 overall with a focus shifting to the place where the Japanese rider got his best result of 2025: Buriram.
Joan Mir (36) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna
HONDA HRC CASTROL & HONDA LCR:
After Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) topped Day 2’s timesheets, the final day of testing in Sepang was a little trickier for HRC in general, with both the 2020 World Champion and teammate Luca Marini saying the lower grip conditions after Wednesday’s rain caused them to run into a few more issues. Still, the vibes are positive and a stride forward has been made in all areas with the 2026 RC213V. And, importantly, they’ve found gains with the engine that needs to be homologated for the season now HRC are in Rank C of the concessions. At the end of the three days, Mir finished P5 overall after his 1:56.8 and Marini P13.
For Castrol Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco and Pro Honda LCR’s Diogo Moreira there was plenty to talk about too. Speaking at the end of six days of testing in Malaysia, including the three-day Shakedown, it’s safe to say the Brazilian rookie was tired. However, the #11 was very happy with his progress. The braking area is somewhere Moreira is particularly pleased with, and the reigning Moto2 World Champion also mentioned that he and the team are happy with the base set up they’ve found.
On the other side of the box, Zarco – like the factory duo – has been feeding us positivity about the new package for the entire test. He was P16 overall on the standings.
Enea Bastianini (23) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Tech3 Racing
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING & RED BULL KTM TECH3:
It’s just 0.010 between Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) on the combined timesheets from the whole test as they slot into P8 and P9. It’s been a busy test and seemingly a positive one, with Viñales still saying that after trying out lots of different directions on Day 3, it’s the first setup he tried that he’d want to stay with – and he’d be happy to roll out for the GP in Buriram with it. He crashed near the end of play but rider ok.
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) ends the test in P11, less than half a second off Raul Fernandez ahead of him, who split him from Acosta and Viñales. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory) also said it was coming together and was P15 on the combined times, saying he didn’t put a lap together at full push.
Alex Rins (42) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP & PRIMA PRAMAC YAMAHA MOTOGP:
There was great news from the off on Day 3: yes, the Iwata marque were going to run. They sat out Day 2 until they could diagnose the cause – knowing, according to Technical Director Max Bartolini, what the issue was at least. Having got Japan on the task from Asian time on Day 2 joined by their base in Italy as Europe woke up later in the day by the time action began on Thursday.
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was top Yamaha in P14 over all, Fabio Quartararo actually 17th on the timesheets from Day 1. Prima Pramac Racing’s Jack Miller and rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu were a little further back in P18 and P19 overall.
For full results, click HERE – as that’s a wrap on the Sepang Test. Swingarms, chassis, new aero front and rear… there’s been a little of everything up and down pitlane and, lest we overlook, an entirely new bike at Yamaha in the YZR-M1. Now we’re off into the city for the Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur and switch racing suits for a little black tie… but we’ll be back on track soon as Buriram awaits in two weeks.
Then, it’s time to get suited and booted for a record-breaking 22-GP calendar.
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP:
Alex Marquez fastest over the three days in Sepang.
DAY1:
FP1 – 1’57.487 – 31 laps
FP2 – 1’58.169 – 18 laps
DAY2:
FP3 – 1’57.664 – 22 laps
FP4 – 1’58.094 – 5 laps
DAY3:
FP5 – 1’56.404 – 31 Laps
FP6 – 1’57.295 – 14 Laps
Alex Marquez tops day 3 at Sepang. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini Team
Alex Marquez(1’56.404s – 121 laps):“It’s always good to finish the tests with the fastest time. The feeling is positive, and we also did some good things in the sprint simulation. We tried a lot and worked well, but it’s still just a test. The important thing was to finish these three days in good physical shape, and we managed to do that. Now we’ll have the Buriram tests to try other solutions and fine-tune everything ahead of the start of the Championship.”
More from a press release issued bu Honda HRC Castrol:
Honda HRC Castrol content with first outing of 2026.
Ninth and 16th for Joan Mir and Luca Marini on the final day of the Sepang Test, both pleased with the progress made and keen to return to the track at the pending Buriram Test.
Three days and some 265 laps later, the first test of the 2026 season has come and gone with Honda HRC Castrol collecting a wealth of data to analyse over the coming weeks. Hard work was rewarded with several moments of bright potential across the Sepang Test, Joan Mir and Luca Marini ultimately leaving satisfied with what they accomplished and motivated for what is to come.
Ending the ultimate day in ninth, Joan Mir concluded Thursday as the top Honda as all his competitors chased one off fast laps. Mir’s 1’56.874 from Wednesday morning remains as his quickest lap of the weekend and places him in the top five overall. A confidence building test for the 2020 World Champion who is aiming to start 2026 as he ended the previous season and once again battle for the podium.
Luca Marini leaves Malaysia having progressed with all areas of the Honda RC213V and despite ending the final day in 16th, he remains confident in the changes made by engineers over the winter. Less the two seconds split the top 18 riders on the final day, just a few tenths making a big difference in the standings. The unique layout of the Buriram Circuit will give the #10 another opportunity to assess the 2026 package in different conditions and further improve his feeling.
Now both Mir and Marini will head to Kuala Lumpur city centre for the MotoGP Season Launch. After that, just the Buriram Test awaits before the year truly begins with the Thai GP.
Joan Mir (36) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Joan Mir: “Today we were able to do a longer run, a bit more than a Sprint Race distance. Our pace was quite good, but today we saw the other riders make a step as well, so we need to remain focused and keep working. We’ve made a step over last year, but everyone else has been working hard as well. The position is not super important today, we had to adapt our plan and cut out our time attack, so it was not as impressive as yesterday. If tomorrow was a race, we can be there in the top five.”
Luca Marini (10) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Luca Marini: “We improved the bike with another step today, a satisfying end to the three days but like always – everyone else has made a step. The situation is similar to the GP last year in terms of the gap, so we have to work well in Thailand in a few weeks. We will have a couple of new things in Thailand as well, so there’s still plenty to do before the first race. It’s just the first test and people are always playing a bit, so we will wait to see what happens at the first race. Looking forward to it. Thanks to the team for their hard work of the winter and this test.”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Wrap Up Sepang Test Day 3 in P12 & P21st.
After sitting out Day 2 of the Malaysia MotoGP Official Test, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team were back in action on Day 3. Álex Rins and Augusto Fernández (replacing the injured Fabio Quartararo) wrapped up testing in 12th and 21st place respectively in the overall Day 3 rankings.
Following overnight investigations in Japan and Italy into the technical issue encountered on Day 1 of the Malaysia MotoGP Official Test, Yamaha returned to action on Day 3. Álex Rins and Augusto Fernández (replacing the injured Fabio Quartararo) completed a productive day on track, finishing 12th and 21st respectively in today’s timesheets.
Rins posted a 1’57.580s best time in Session 1 on lap 11/26. As the majority of the rider field didn’t improve their times in the afternoon, that lap was fast enough to earn him 12th position in today’s classification, 1.178s from first. Completing 10 laps in Session 2 brought his Day-3 lap tally up to 36.
Fernández took on bike development duties for the injured Quartararo, making the test rider part of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team for the day. Fernández only took part in the morning session. His best time, a 1’59.278s set on lap 19/20, had him place 21st in the Day 3 rankings and in the combined results, 2.876s from the top.
The team will now travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the MotoGP Launch event, held from 6-7 February. The team will be back in action on track on 21-22 February for the Thailand MotoGP Official Test in Buriram.
Alex Rins (42) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha
Alex Rins: “We have been able to test all the items that we had to try here in Sepang during the Shakedown Test and the IRTA Test and made a selection of items we like for Buriram. Unfortunately, because of a technical issue and safety precaution, we couldn’t ride yesterday, losing some time on track. Luckily, today we were able to ride again, and we completed our plans. We will work more on settings in Buriram.”
Massimo Meregalli: “It has been a productive test. We have been able to evaluate most of the items that we had scheduled to try here. We chose the main topics for this test, like chassis, rear arm, and aerodynamics, with which we will start the Buriram Test – and this was the priority. Even though we were forced to temporarily halt the test due to a technical issue that occurred on Day 1, we were able to understand the cause and could finish today‘s test thanks to the big effort of the engineers here in Malaysia as well as in Japan and Italy. What we didn‘t have time for was fine-tuning the set-ups, which we will, of course, move to the Buriram Test.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team finishes intense days of winter testing in Sepang.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP concluded the three days of Official MotoGP Winter Testing at Sepang, completing an intense programme of evaluation and development. Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu faced a demanding learning curve with the new bike — and, for Razgatlıoğlu, a completely new environment — but collected positive feedback across a wide range of set-ups tested during the Sepang test.
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “During the Shakedown, to be honest, things went quite well and we completed all the work we had planned. The three days here were not easy — especially for Toprak — with the conditions and the high temperatures in Malaysia, but they both managed the workload well and we brought home important information. Going into the Official Test, we honestly expected to do a little better. In the two days we were out on the track, we were able to run and continue evaluating the material Yamaha provided. Our goal was not to chase lap time, but to build stability in performance. On the final day we found some improvements and, from a chassis point of view, the bike is quite competitive and works very well. It‘s clear that we are still missing some top speed, but Yamaha is already working on this, so we‘re not concerned.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (7) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: “It’s still difficult for me and the learning curve is steep, but the feedback we‘re getting is positive and we’re making progress. I’m trying to understand where I need to improve and also how much I need to adapt my riding style to this bike. Jack helped me a lot today — I followed him for a few laps to understand how to approach some corners that are still tricky for me. I was hoping to get into the 1’57s and even though I felt fast, the lap time didn‘t come yet. But I‘m pushing every day to learn and improve, and I‘m already looking forward to continuing this work at the next test in Buriram.”
Jack Miller (43) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha
Jack Miller: “It wasn’t an easy day, but these things are part of the process. If you expect everything to run smoothly, you’re being naïve — we‘re pushing the most high-performance machines in the world to their limits. Sometimes you need to pause, reassess what‘s needed and then get back to work. Of course I would have liked a bit more from this test, but I really believe the bike still has plenty of potential. The last few days were busy, with a lot of parts going on and off the bike, and the key is not just trying things, but properly analysing what works, what doesn‘t and where you can find a compromise for the future.
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 19th on Thursday at the Sepang Test.
Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira completed his first official test, which allowed him to continue getting to know the bike and learning.
Today, Diogo completed a total of 46 laps, which, added to the 34 on Wednesday and the 39 on Tuesday, brings the total to 119 laps of hard work over three days.
The rider admits that, after the Shakedown and the Sepang Test, he is pleased with the work done and motivated ahead of the next test in Buriram, as he has already felt improvements and gained important learnings at the beginning of his MotoGP journey.
Diogo Moreira (11) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Pro Honda LCR.
Diogo Moreira 19th – (1’58.476): “I’m happy but exhausted, these days have been intense! I’ve understood many things, we’ve done many laps, and the progress has been positive. My feeling on the bike improved day by day, and especially today, I felt good riding it. I believe we’ve found our base setup, and this is great. I still need to do more hours on the bike and improve, but everything will come. We are happy and motivated!”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco finished 15th on Thursday at the Sepang Test.
French rider Johann Zarco and his crew ended the Sepang Test with consistent and positive feelings after some initial struggles.
Today, Johann completed a total of 58 laps, which, added to the 33 on Wednesday and the 60 on Tuesday, brings the total to 151 laps of hard work over three days.
The rider admits that the bike has improved and that, with a few adjustments, he is confident he will have a lot of fun, a positive sign heading into the Buriram Test.
Johann Zarco (5) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Castrol Honda LCR
Johann Zarco 15th – (1’57.601):“I finished this Sepang test on a positive note. We had an intense afternoon today; we rode non-stop, and the feeling was good. Overall, I struggled at the beginning of the test, but we managed to solve the issues and finish in a good way. Since yesterday, we’ve been more consistent, and that’s important. We struggled a bit with tyre drop, but it was the same for everyone. The bike has improved, and now we’re just trying to find the right balance. Let’s keep working like this.”
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3 :
Red Bull KTM Tech3 concludes positive three-day test in Sepang.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 laid strong foundations for the upcoming 2026 MotoGP season during the first official test of the year at the Sepang International Circuit, home of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The team completed an intensive three-day programme with the KTM RC16, as teammates Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini logged an impressive combined total of 280 laps around the 5.54km circuit.
Featuring one of the longest laps on the MotoGP calendar, Sepang’s mix of slow corners, long straights and fast, flowing sections provided the ideal environment to work through a comprehensive testing programme. Across the three days, the Tech3 riders evaluated a range of components and updates, including a new chassis, swingarm and aerodynamic package.
Following a short winter break, the opening day of the Sepang Test saw the RC16 continue its development trajectory, with encouraging progress across all four KTM bikes. A late push saw Viñales take his #12 bike to P3, while teammate Bastianini focused on fine-tuning his positioning on the bike and completed the day in P12.
Hot and humid conditions continued on day two, before rain arrived ahead of the afternoon session and brought running to an early end for much of the field, including Bastianini’s #23 machine. One of the few riders to remain on track was Viñales, who switched to a wet set-up and completed a further eight laps in challenging conditions, ending the day in P5.
The final day of testing shifted focus towards longer runs, with Bastianini completing a Sprint simulation in the morning session. With only a hint of rain in the afternoon, the team continued to work through its remaining test items, bringing the Sepang Test to a close with Bastianini finishing the day in P10 and Viñales in P14.
Across the three days of running, Tech3 completed its planned testing programme in full, gathering valuable data and continuing to refine the KTM RC16 package ahead of the opening race. Maverick Viñales finished the test in ninth position, with teammate Enea Bastianini close behind in P11, marking a productive and positive start to the 2026 MotoGP pre-season.
Tech3 will return to action at the final official pre-season test in Buriram on 21–22 February, ahead of the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season in Thailand from 27 February–1 March.
The completion of the Sepang Test now paves the way for the MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur on 6–7 February, where fans will have the opportunity to see the KTM RC16 in action as Viñales and Bastianini ride through the streets of the Malaysian capital.
Maverick Viñales (12) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Maverick Viñales:“This has been a positive test for me. On the first day, I was really happy with the bike, and you could see from the strong lap-times that day that I was comfortable. We then build on this, by working through the entire test programme the rest of the days, looking at set-up changes and different items. I feel positive heading into the start of the season with this bike. There are still a lot of areas for us to explore, but we will spend the next week looking at the best plan heading into the Thailand test. Another important thing for me is that I’ve assessed my physical fitness at this event, I’m feeling really good on the bike and now looking ahead to the start of the season.”
Enea Bastianini (23) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Tech3
Enea Bastianini:“We’ve completed a lot over the last three days and I’m happy with the results. We did a lot of work over the winter on the bike, particularly in the wind tunnel, and you can see the positive changes out on track. I think we’ve improved in every area, and I feel comfortable on the bike. I have spent a lot of time with my new Crew Chief, Andreas Madrid, this week and I feel really confident heading into the 2026 season with him. Of course, this is just the first test, so we want to analyse what we’ve worked on here and then try some more things in Thailand so we can continue to improve.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Mananger:“I’m pleased to say that we are leaving the Sepang test with a positive feeling, with most of our test plan completed and we’re happy.
A key thing on Maverick’s side was to check his shoulder condition on a MotoGP bike. We have clearly seen across the three days that he is back to full strength, which is really positive. Alongside this, one of the key objectives for him at this test was to check the 2026 parts. We saw that he was very quick straight away with the standard bike and then step-by-step we implemented each new part for this season. There are some areas that we still need to work on, but overall, we can already see that this package is a bit quicker and he’s ended the test in P9. We know it’s just a test, but to see Maverick back in the top 10 is a real positive for us.
For Enea, one of the main targets was to build some confidence with his new Crew Chief, Andreas, and this has very clearly been done. They’ve worked hard over the last three days, completing over 120 laps and working through the entire programme. We’ve made some adjustments to his position on the bike and he’s now feeling really comfortable and in control – which was another key aim for us this week. We are pleased that we can walk away from this week with another item crossed off our list. He finishes the test in P11, which is already big step forward compared to last year.
I want to thank the whole team for their hard work across these three intensive days and now we must look forward to the next test in two weeks in Thailand, ahead of the start of the season.”
Sepang tests Day 2 update for our esteemed Oxley Bom #MotoGP podcast Patreon followers is a sound clash with the Paddock Pass podcast. It’s all here, from the Yamaha disaster down…
Three-time (1984-1985-1986) AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion and circa 1991 WERA Pro Formula 2 Champion Donny Green died February 3rd, at age 64.
Donny Greene receives his 1981 AMA 250cc Novice #1 plate from AMA Official Bill Boyce. Photo courtesy The Rider Files.
His son Derek wrote on Facebook, “I lost my best friend, father, mentor and idol. He lived larger than life and had an even bigger heart…Thank you for buying my first drum set at 12. Thank you for teaching me good manners. Thank you for teaching me how to ski. Thank you for being there for me when times got tough. I’ll always remember calling you after my shows and reflecting on my performance of that night. You always believed in me as I believed in you. You are a legend. I hate cancer and how ugly that disease is…Gone way too soon. You crossed the final finish line tonight as I kissed your forehead and told you, ‘I love you dad!’ ‘Go Greene Go!'”
Donny Greene won the AMA 250cc Grand Prix Championship three times. Photo courtesy Rider Files.
Greene also raced and won with Dutchman Racing in the AMA/CCS Endurance Series.
May he rest in peace.
(Additional info will be posted as it becomes available.)
Donny Greene at Mid-Ohio, 1987. Photo by Larry Lawrence/Rider Files.
Donny Green (3) won the WERA Pro Formula 2 Championship circa 1991. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
After competing in the inaugural Talent Cup Championship this past year, Carson King will step up to Supersport for 2026, starting with next month’s Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Royalty Racing has announced that Carson King will enter the Supersport Championship for the 2026 MotoAmerica season.
King, who is from Caseyville, Illinois, will be aboard the #35 Suzuki GSX-R750 beginning next month when he races in his first Daytona 200. After progressing through both the Junior Cup Championship and the Talent Cup Championship where he recorded multiple top-four finishes and qualified on the front row multiple times, this will be the 17-year-old’s third full season in MotoAmerica.
King is 17 years old and lives in Caseyville, Illinois. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The move up to Supersport marks the next step in King’s development as he faces a deeper, more experienced field of riders. Royalty Racing team owner Travis King commented, “Carson was a little bit oversized for the Talent Cup bike, and we’re excited to see what he can do on a bike that fits him better and has plenty of power.”
King and his Royalty Racing team are supported by Window Depot, MotoSetup Pro, Woodcraft Technologies, Dunlop, Bison, Helmet House, Shoei, and Vortex.
The Daytona 200 kicks off the 2026 MotoAmerica season on March 5 through 8 at Daytona International Speedway.
For the full 2026 MotoAmerica schedule and to purchase tickets for MotoAmerica events, click HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica series, click HERE
Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (Honda CBR1000RR-R) proved himself unstoppable on the two vastly different race tracks he tackled during the famous Burt Munro Challenge festival week. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Thousands of motorcycle riders again made their annual pilgrimage to Southland for the 19th annual Burt Munro Challenge festival this year and all were rewarded with special memories to cherish.
Perhaps the most special moments of all, however, belonged to Bay of Plenty racer Mitch Rees as he took his Honda CBR1000RR-R to a perfect run of wins in two separate elements of the week-long extravaganza.
The 33-year-old businessman from Whakatane, the multi-time and current champion in both the New Zealand Superbike Championships and the popular Suzuki International Series as well, proved to be almost unstoppable at the opening event of the multi-discipline four-day festival on Thursday, despite extra challenges being put in front of him.
Rees headed off Wakefield rider Angus Phyn in the series of sprint races to the top of Bluff Hill, recapturing the trophy he had also collected when he won the same race at the Bluff Hill event the last time he raced there in 2018.
His father, Tony Rees (on an identical Honda CBR1000RR-R) is currently recovering from an injury sustained while racing at Manfeild in December – he won the Bluff Hill race last season (and also in 2023, and 2024) – and he acted as his son’s mechanic during this year’s Burt Munro Challenge.
Meanwhile, the reigning national superbike champion was on a mission at the Teretonga Park, the venue hosting the second round of four in the 2026 New Zealand Superbike Championships (NZSBK), with this separate two-day event being included within the Burt Munro Challenge programme.
However, while the elite 1000cc Formula One and superbike class riders were being raced on the track simultaneously, the two classes were scored separately.
Even so, Mitch Rees qualified fastest rider over both categories at the weekend and, despite a massive delay between when the NZSBK riders were set off at the race start and the Burt Munro F1 riders were released, Rees made short work of powering through the entire gaggle of bikes, impressively winning the first combined race of the weekend.
Rees was further nobbled in the last race on Sunday, the delay increased further between when the NZSBK riders were started and the F1 Burt Munro categories were launched, and he was unfortunately unable to bridge the gap in the short eight-lap race.
Mitch Rees was unbeaten in his four F1 race category outings over Saturday and Sunday, with Richmond rider Heath Botica (Ducati V4S 1100) finishing F1 class runner-up.
“I was forced to start behind the superbike riders and then battle through traffic in all the races, but I had a lot of fun,”said Rees afterwards.
“I set a new track record at the same time.
“I’m going international for the next wee while and that’s why I’m not defending my superbike crown in the nationals this season,”he explained.
“I have the Isle of Man races coming up in May and June, but, before that, I will race a couple of rounds of the British Superbike Championships in early May and also the North-west 200 in Northern Ireland that same month.”
Meanwhile, as regards the off-road brigade, the popular beach race phase of the Burt Munro Challenge again attracted hundreds of riders to Oreti Beach from all over New Zealand and from overseas too.
Southlander Johnny Racz (Honda CRF450, from Otautau) was simply too quick for his rivals, winning the main 50-lap feature race, finishing two laps ahead of runner-up rider Matthew Davies (Husqvarna FC450), of Australia.
With these major event wins ticked off, the Honda brigade certainly had reason to celebrate the Burt Munro Challenge 2026.
Bodie Paige (12) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Moto4 Asia Talent Cup.
The 2026 season is officially underway for Bodie Paige and Jake Paige, as the brothers opened their Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup campaign with the first official test at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
This season, the Paige brothers are racing both the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup and the full MotoAmerica series.
Sepang Test Results – Day One (Combined Sessions)
Monday’s combined morning and afternoon sessions delivered clear progress for both riders:
Bodie Paige – 9th overall
Fastest lap: 2:18.871
Bodie Paige (12) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Moto4 Asia Talent Cup.
Jake Paige – 20th overall
Fastest lap: 2:20.773
In a 22-rider international field, Bodie finished inside the top 10, less than two seconds from the fastest time, while Jake continued to build pace on a challenging circuit.
The Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup is a key step on the Road to MotoGP, running alongside select MotoGP events across Asia and the Pacific region. The official 2026 series schedule can be found below.
Former Grand Prix crew chief Peter Bom traveled to Sepang for the first tests of the 2026 MotoGP season, and he sits down with Roadracing World MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley to share his first-hand insights in the latest edition of the Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast.
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship welcomed its largest crowd ever inside State Farm Stadium for the fifth race of the 2026 season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (February 7, 2026) – The fifth round of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship was headlined by the largest audience ever for a Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship race inside State Farm Stadium, which also included unprecedented attendance at FanFest. The record crowd was treated to a memorable night of racing that provided a shakeup of the early 450SMX Class title fight as Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen became the fourth different winner in the first five races, while Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence took over the points lead. It all unfolded after misfortune hindered entering points leader and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Eli Tomac to a finish outside the top 10.
Ken Roczen Wins in Glendale to Become Fourth Different Winnerin Five Races to Open 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Season.
The 450SMX Class Main Event began with ISRT MX4Christ Kawasaki’s Vince Friese briefly out front for the holeshot before Lawrence grabbed the early lead ahead of Roczen and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion and winner of last weekend’s race in Houston. Behind them, Tomac was taken to the ground entering the first turn by Quad Lock Honda’s Christian Craig, who lost traction and collided with his KTM-mounted counterpart. Tomac took his time to re-enter the race and resumed well back of the field in 22nd place. Back up front, Lawrence paced the field for the opening stint of the 20 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event until Roczen went on the attack and seized control of the lead with about 16 minutes left on the race clock. The German’s impressive pace allowed him to establish a lead of about 3.5 seconds, which he managed for the majority of the race. Lawrence asserted a firm hold of second, as Webb slowly lost touch with the lead duo and soon settled in all by himself in third. As the lead trio strengthened their respective positions, the attention shifted to Tomac and his recovery from the early misfortune. Once he caught the rear of the field, Tomac methodically worked his way up the running order, picking off riders one-by-one until he found himself on the cusp of the top 10 in the closing stages of the race.
Roczen went unchallenged en route to his fifth victory inside State Farm Stadium, where he took the checkered flag 3.3 seconds ahead of Lawrence, who captured a fourth straight runner-up finish. Webb followed up his win with a third-place effort, while Tomac climbed up to 12th and salvaged what could have been a devastating night in the championship.
Roczen’s triumph was the 24th of his decorated career and he has now emerged victorious across seven consecutive seasons. It served as an emotional win for the veteran, following a Friday announcement from Pipes Motorsports Group that revealed esteemed team manager Larry Brooks has been diagnosed with cancer and has taken a leave from the races as he undergoes treatment.
Lawrence, whose fifth career runner-up is tied for the second-most without a win in series history, moved atop the 450SMX Class standings and took possession of the red plate for the first time in the premier division. He currently holds a five-point lead over Roczen, while Tomac dropped to third, eight points behind Lawrence.
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen became the fourth different winner in five races with an impressive performance in Glendale. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Ken Roczen – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“This feels unreal. I got a good start and then Friese cut me off going into the first turn, which I expected, which slowed my momentum a little bit. [Eventually] I was able to pass Hunter [Lawrence] and I knew it was going to be a long Main Event because trying to put a gap [on the field] was really hard and the track was tricky. It was just so fast, and everything was built super tall. I’m just really happy.
“I want to dedicate this win specifically to Larry [Brooks]. He hasn’t been able to be with us here the last few races. It really hurts all of our hearts. He loves this more than anybody. This one goes out to him.”
With his fourth straight runner-up finish Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence has moved atop the 450SMX Class standings for the first time. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It’s bittersweet. I got a great start and was in a great position. Kenny [Roczen] was riding unreal tonight. He was riding a lot better than me in the first 10 minutes and opened that gap. I just didn’t quite have it. I didn’t feel amazing, just flat, but not bad. We’ll take it. [Getting] the red plate is cool, but we’ve got a long season ahead.”
One week after his first win of the season defending champion Cooper Webb finished third aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Cooper Webb – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It was a good night overall. I think we know this hasn’t always been my best place [results wise], so I was really happy with that result. Kenny [Roczen] was riding awesome and I was right there with Hunter [Lawrence] for a bit and then he started inching away. I fell into a bit of a no-man’s land and took it for a third. I’m happy with that. Happy to leave here with good points. A podium here is a win for me.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Ken Rcozen, and Cooper Webb. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac endured through his toughest night of the young season and lost his hold of the points lead after a 12th-place finish. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac – 12th Place – 450SMX Class:
“I put myself in a position where bad things can happen. I started off a little bit pinched [by other riders] and then got taken out by Craig. I don’t know what happened before that or why he crashed. All I know is Craig hit me and I was done. It took me a little while to get warmed up again, to get my body loosened up and going. That’s what I had to get back to 12th. The good thing is we’re not too far down [in the championship]. We’ll just have to do some digging now.”
Haiden Deegan Goes Wire-to-Wire for Fourth Straight 250SMX Class Victory.
The fifth race of the Western Divisional 250SMX Class was arguably the most dominant yet for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, the reigning West champion. He stormed out the gate to open the 15 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event with a convincing holeshot that he turned into a multi-second lead just a couple laps into the race. From there, Deegan never looked back and continued to add to his advantage. Fellow Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Michael Mosiman gave chase from second, while Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco battled for third. McAdoo held the position initially but gave way to DiFrancesco for several laps before the Kawasaki rider reclaimed the position and inched away from his rival. As the race wore on, all eyes centered on Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, who was on an incredible charge through the field after he rounded the first turn in 19th place. The Washington native made an improbable climb into the top five and then passed his teammate McAdoo to move into podium position with less than three minutes remaining. Kitchen’s journey forward didn’t end there as he caught and passed Mosiman for second with 90 seconds to go and even had Deegan in his sights on the final lap.
Deegan’s command of the Main Event was never threatened, and he easily amassed a wire-to-wire performance for his fourth straight victory. He took the 11th win of his career by 4.1 seconds over Kitchen, who passed 17 riders to secure back-to-back runner-up finishes. McAdoo made a late charge to catch and pass Mosiman and finish third for the second consecutive race, which resulted in an identical podium from the previous race.
Deegan further solidified his command of the Western Divisional standings and has a lead of more than a single race, at 27 points over Mosiman, who finished fourth. DiFrancesco, who finished fifth, sits third, 29 points out of the lead. McAdoo and Kitchen sit fifth and sixth, respectively.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan went wire-to-wire for his fourth straight Western Divisional 250SMX Class victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Haiden Deegan – 1st Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class:
“These races have been solid. Lots of hard work with the family and the team. Thank you to Yamaha and the whole Star Racing team, my bike is amazing. This feels good. The hard work I put in this offseason, it’s paid off. It shows who works hard and who doesn’t.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen impressed in a runner-up effort that saw him pass 17 riders in a climb from 19th to second. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Levi Kitchen – 2nd Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It’s a good night with a lot of positives, but there’s always a negative in my nights [as well]. I can’t be doing that when [Deegan] is doing everything right. Track position is really important, and I didn’t help myself there, but I feel good. I’ve just got to keep working and keep fighting.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo earned his third podium finish in the past four races. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Cameron McAdoo – 3rd Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class:
“I fought hard for that one. I got myself into third on the first lap and then in the option lane I chose the inside, which let Ryder [DiFrancesco] slingshot around me. Then I got him [back for third], then Levi [Kitchen] came and got me [for third]. With three to go I was fourth and I was pretty far from Michael [Mosiman], but I had been digging the whole time. I saw him and saw where I had some more in the tank and just made it happen.”
Western Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right) Levi Kitchen, Haiden Deegan, and Cameron McAdoo. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday for the sixth race of the season from Seattle’s Lumen Field. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final will go on pre-sale Tuesday, Jan. 27, with general tickets on-sale to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Francesco Bagnaia (63) and Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna
The Malaysian capital hosted an incredible 2026 Season Launch, full of fans, noise and headline acts – from the riders to the performers.
MotoGP descended on downtown Kuala Lumpur this weekend for an unforgettable Season Launch. Not just one, but TWO days of MotoGP’s takeover in Malaysia’s capital city culminated in an estimated 20,000 fans coming out to welcome their heroes to the show run and stunning stage finale.
First, the official opening party added some glitz and glamour, held in the Permata Sapura Tower on Friday evening – with a stunning view across the city. Fans greeted the riders on the red carpet as the paddock turned out in black tie before it was time to get suited and booted for the main event.
After the bikes headed around the city on display throughout Friday, on Saturday night it was time to fire up the engines and take them for a spin for the Show Run. Rain ahead of go time only added to the intensity before the weather calmed and the engines starting warming up. Team by team, the riders did two show laps – and added some flair – on their way to the stage to greet the crowd.
The show kicked off at 19:30 and the first bikes headed out through the fan-lined streets from 20:00. After each of the heroes of the 2026 grid had made their appearances, award-winning band The Script took to the stage – adding to performances from DJ PAWSA and Malaysian band DOLLA. The close of the show saw the riders join The Script on stage for their final photo op, signing off in style.
After a stunner to launch the 2026 season, fans don’t have to wait long for more action from the most exciting sport on Earth. The Buriram Test is another two days of track action as the sporting storylines of the season continue to unfold, before it’s finally time for the lights to go out on racing. Buriram, Thailand, March 1 – save the date and join us for the start of a season already guaranteed to make history as 22 Grands Prix await.
PHOTOS – SEASON LAUNCH:
Jack Miller on the left and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu on the right. Photo courtesy Dorna
Francesco Bagnaia (63) and Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna
Joan Mir (36) and Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Dorna
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy Dorna
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy Dorna
Marco Bezzecchi (on the left) and Jorge Martin (on the right). Photo courtesy Dorna
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Dorna
Maverick Viñales (12) and Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna
Alex Marquez (73). Photo courtesy Dorna
Johann Zarco (5) and Diogo Moreira (11). Photo courtesy Dorna
Photos from Friday as the most exciting sport on Earth touches down in KLCC.
The Opening Party takes place tonight in KL for the 2026 MotoGP Season Launch, and the riders headed out for a photo op first, with the iconic PETRONAS towers serving as a backdrop.
On Saturday night, the show run and incredible stage event will take place just underneath the towers. Find out more HERE and come back for more tomorrow as MotoGP stages a night to remember.
MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy Dorna
MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy Dorna
Ducati on Top as Álex Márquez Shines on Sepang Test Day 3. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini Team
Alex Marquez fends off Bezzecchi as sun sets on Sepang Test. The 2025 GP winner is top but ‘Bez’ is hot on the chase as testing concludes in Malaysia.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) remains top of the pile as action concludes at Sepang, with the #73 – who won the Grand Prix in Malaysia last year – having just enough in hand to edge out Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) in second after a late push. Completing the top three is Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) after three days of interesting testing, with plenty to talk about beyond one-lap pace.
Marc Marquez (93) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna.
BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP, DUCATI LENOVO TEAM, PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM:
The fastest Sprint simulation of the day went to 2025 silver medallist Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who, upon completion of his 10-lap Sprint trial, had an average lap time of a 1’58.027. He ended the day fastest too with a 1’56.402; the #73 is very much in the groove at the track where he was victorious at last year.
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) ran the 2025 front aero on both bikes during the morning and sampled elements of the 2026 aero package. However, the #93 suffered his first crash of the year at Turn 1 but was perfectly OK. For teammate Francesco Bagnaia, he stated he felt more comfortable than at any point throughout the Grand Prix weekend in October whilst also declaring which aero package he preferred. Interestingly, over a 10-lap Sprint simulation, the #63 had the upper-hand over his teammate, leaving food for thought within the factory Ducati squad. It’s fourth for Marquez and sixth for Bagnaia across the three days, attention turns to Buriram’s test.
Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was another Ducati rider who fell, crashing at Turn 14. The Italian’s work focused mainly on adapting to the GP25 which he inherits for the new season and he ended the test in seventh across all days – with Diggia on the GP26 in that top three.
Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna
APRILIA RACING & TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM:
Bezzecchi ends the test second and as top Aprilia after a busy few days, topping the final session of Thursday. We’ve seen new aero options for the seat unit – call it what you want but it is certainly innovative – and despite being a full-time rider down with Jorge Martin’s (Aprilia Racing) absence, the Noale factory can leave buoyed by their breakthroughs. The final day saw the #72’s Sprint simulation end in the high 1’58s but at a circuit they’ve historically struggled at, they can say they’re back in BEZness.
In the Trackhouse camp, Raul Fernandez was their shining light as he finished seventh on the final day and P10 overall in what was a complete contrast to his 2025 testing struggles and subsequent day one crash. On the other side, Ai Ogura’s incremental improvements saw him finish P12 overall with a focus shifting to the place where the Japanese rider got his best result of 2025: Buriram.
Joan Mir (36) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna
HONDA HRC CASTROL & HONDA LCR:
After Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) topped Day 2’s timesheets, the final day of testing in Sepang was a little trickier for HRC in general, with both the 2020 World Champion and teammate Luca Marini saying the lower grip conditions after Wednesday’s rain caused them to run into a few more issues. Still, the vibes are positive and a stride forward has been made in all areas with the 2026 RC213V. And, importantly, they’ve found gains with the engine that needs to be homologated for the season now HRC are in Rank C of the concessions. At the end of the three days, Mir finished P5 overall after his 1:56.8 and Marini P13.
For Castrol Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco and Pro Honda LCR’s Diogo Moreira there was plenty to talk about too. Speaking at the end of six days of testing in Malaysia, including the three-day Shakedown, it’s safe to say the Brazilian rookie was tired. However, the #11 was very happy with his progress. The braking area is somewhere Moreira is particularly pleased with, and the reigning Moto2 World Champion also mentioned that he and the team are happy with the base set up they’ve found.
On the other side of the box, Zarco – like the factory duo – has been feeding us positivity about the new package for the entire test. He was P16 overall on the standings.
Enea Bastianini (23) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Tech3 Racing
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING & RED BULL KTM TECH3:
It’s just 0.010 between Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) on the combined timesheets from the whole test as they slot into P8 and P9. It’s been a busy test and seemingly a positive one, with Viñales still saying that after trying out lots of different directions on Day 3, it’s the first setup he tried that he’d want to stay with – and he’d be happy to roll out for the GP in Buriram with it. He crashed near the end of play but rider ok.
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) ends the test in P11, less than half a second off Raul Fernandez ahead of him, who split him from Acosta and Viñales. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory) also said it was coming together and was P15 on the combined times, saying he didn’t put a lap together at full push.
Alex Rins (42) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Dorna
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP & PRIMA PRAMAC YAMAHA MOTOGP:
There was great news from the off on Day 3: yes, the Iwata marque were going to run. They sat out Day 2 until they could diagnose the cause – knowing, according to Technical Director Max Bartolini, what the issue was at least. Having got Japan on the task from Asian time on Day 2 joined by their base in Italy as Europe woke up later in the day by the time action began on Thursday.
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was top Yamaha in P14 over all, Fabio Quartararo actually 17th on the timesheets from Day 1. Prima Pramac Racing’s Jack Miller and rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu were a little further back in P18 and P19 overall.
For full results, click HERE – as that’s a wrap on the Sepang Test. Swingarms, chassis, new aero front and rear… there’s been a little of everything up and down pitlane and, lest we overlook, an entirely new bike at Yamaha in the YZR-M1. Now we’re off into the city for the Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur and switch racing suits for a little black tie… but we’ll be back on track soon as Buriram awaits in two weeks.
Then, it’s time to get suited and booted for a record-breaking 22-GP calendar.
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP:
Alex Marquez fastest over the three days in Sepang.
DAY1:
FP1 – 1’57.487 – 31 laps
FP2 – 1’58.169 – 18 laps
DAY2:
FP3 – 1’57.664 – 22 laps
FP4 – 1’58.094 – 5 laps
DAY3:
FP5 – 1’56.404 – 31 Laps
FP6 – 1’57.295 – 14 Laps
Alex Marquez tops day 3 at Sepang. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini Team
Alex Marquez(1’56.404s – 121 laps):“It’s always good to finish the tests with the fastest time. The feeling is positive, and we also did some good things in the sprint simulation. We tried a lot and worked well, but it’s still just a test. The important thing was to finish these three days in good physical shape, and we managed to do that. Now we’ll have the Buriram tests to try other solutions and fine-tune everything ahead of the start of the Championship.”
More from a press release issued bu Honda HRC Castrol:
Honda HRC Castrol content with first outing of 2026.
Ninth and 16th for Joan Mir and Luca Marini on the final day of the Sepang Test, both pleased with the progress made and keen to return to the track at the pending Buriram Test.
Three days and some 265 laps later, the first test of the 2026 season has come and gone with Honda HRC Castrol collecting a wealth of data to analyse over the coming weeks. Hard work was rewarded with several moments of bright potential across the Sepang Test, Joan Mir and Luca Marini ultimately leaving satisfied with what they accomplished and motivated for what is to come.
Ending the ultimate day in ninth, Joan Mir concluded Thursday as the top Honda as all his competitors chased one off fast laps. Mir’s 1’56.874 from Wednesday morning remains as his quickest lap of the weekend and places him in the top five overall. A confidence building test for the 2020 World Champion who is aiming to start 2026 as he ended the previous season and once again battle for the podium.
Luca Marini leaves Malaysia having progressed with all areas of the Honda RC213V and despite ending the final day in 16th, he remains confident in the changes made by engineers over the winter. Less the two seconds split the top 18 riders on the final day, just a few tenths making a big difference in the standings. The unique layout of the Buriram Circuit will give the #10 another opportunity to assess the 2026 package in different conditions and further improve his feeling.
Now both Mir and Marini will head to Kuala Lumpur city centre for the MotoGP Season Launch. After that, just the Buriram Test awaits before the year truly begins with the Thai GP.
Joan Mir (36) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Joan Mir: “Today we were able to do a longer run, a bit more than a Sprint Race distance. Our pace was quite good, but today we saw the other riders make a step as well, so we need to remain focused and keep working. We’ve made a step over last year, but everyone else has been working hard as well. The position is not super important today, we had to adapt our plan and cut out our time attack, so it was not as impressive as yesterday. If tomorrow was a race, we can be there in the top five.”
Luca Marini (10) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Luca Marini: “We improved the bike with another step today, a satisfying end to the three days but like always – everyone else has made a step. The situation is similar to the GP last year in terms of the gap, so we have to work well in Thailand in a few weeks. We will have a couple of new things in Thailand as well, so there’s still plenty to do before the first race. It’s just the first test and people are always playing a bit, so we will wait to see what happens at the first race. Looking forward to it. Thanks to the team for their hard work of the winter and this test.”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Wrap Up Sepang Test Day 3 in P12 & P21st.
After sitting out Day 2 of the Malaysia MotoGP Official Test, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team were back in action on Day 3. Álex Rins and Augusto Fernández (replacing the injured Fabio Quartararo) wrapped up testing in 12th and 21st place respectively in the overall Day 3 rankings.
Following overnight investigations in Japan and Italy into the technical issue encountered on Day 1 of the Malaysia MotoGP Official Test, Yamaha returned to action on Day 3. Álex Rins and Augusto Fernández (replacing the injured Fabio Quartararo) completed a productive day on track, finishing 12th and 21st respectively in today’s timesheets.
Rins posted a 1’57.580s best time in Session 1 on lap 11/26. As the majority of the rider field didn’t improve their times in the afternoon, that lap was fast enough to earn him 12th position in today’s classification, 1.178s from first. Completing 10 laps in Session 2 brought his Day-3 lap tally up to 36.
Fernández took on bike development duties for the injured Quartararo, making the test rider part of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team for the day. Fernández only took part in the morning session. His best time, a 1’59.278s set on lap 19/20, had him place 21st in the Day 3 rankings and in the combined results, 2.876s from the top.
The team will now travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the MotoGP Launch event, held from 6-7 February. The team will be back in action on track on 21-22 February for the Thailand MotoGP Official Test in Buriram.
Alex Rins (42) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha
Alex Rins: “We have been able to test all the items that we had to try here in Sepang during the Shakedown Test and the IRTA Test and made a selection of items we like for Buriram. Unfortunately, because of a technical issue and safety precaution, we couldn’t ride yesterday, losing some time on track. Luckily, today we were able to ride again, and we completed our plans. We will work more on settings in Buriram.”
Massimo Meregalli: “It has been a productive test. We have been able to evaluate most of the items that we had scheduled to try here. We chose the main topics for this test, like chassis, rear arm, and aerodynamics, with which we will start the Buriram Test – and this was the priority. Even though we were forced to temporarily halt the test due to a technical issue that occurred on Day 1, we were able to understand the cause and could finish today‘s test thanks to the big effort of the engineers here in Malaysia as well as in Japan and Italy. What we didn‘t have time for was fine-tuning the set-ups, which we will, of course, move to the Buriram Test.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team finishes intense days of winter testing in Sepang.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP concluded the three days of Official MotoGP Winter Testing at Sepang, completing an intense programme of evaluation and development. Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu faced a demanding learning curve with the new bike — and, for Razgatlıoğlu, a completely new environment — but collected positive feedback across a wide range of set-ups tested during the Sepang test.
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “During the Shakedown, to be honest, things went quite well and we completed all the work we had planned. The three days here were not easy — especially for Toprak — with the conditions and the high temperatures in Malaysia, but they both managed the workload well and we brought home important information. Going into the Official Test, we honestly expected to do a little better. In the two days we were out on the track, we were able to run and continue evaluating the material Yamaha provided. Our goal was not to chase lap time, but to build stability in performance. On the final day we found some improvements and, from a chassis point of view, the bike is quite competitive and works very well. It‘s clear that we are still missing some top speed, but Yamaha is already working on this, so we‘re not concerned.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (7) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: “It’s still difficult for me and the learning curve is steep, but the feedback we‘re getting is positive and we’re making progress. I’m trying to understand where I need to improve and also how much I need to adapt my riding style to this bike. Jack helped me a lot today — I followed him for a few laps to understand how to approach some corners that are still tricky for me. I was hoping to get into the 1’57s and even though I felt fast, the lap time didn‘t come yet. But I‘m pushing every day to learn and improve, and I‘m already looking forward to continuing this work at the next test in Buriram.”
Jack Miller (43) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha
Jack Miller: “It wasn’t an easy day, but these things are part of the process. If you expect everything to run smoothly, you’re being naïve — we‘re pushing the most high-performance machines in the world to their limits. Sometimes you need to pause, reassess what‘s needed and then get back to work. Of course I would have liked a bit more from this test, but I really believe the bike still has plenty of potential. The last few days were busy, with a lot of parts going on and off the bike, and the key is not just trying things, but properly analysing what works, what doesn‘t and where you can find a compromise for the future.
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 19th on Thursday at the Sepang Test.
Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira completed his first official test, which allowed him to continue getting to know the bike and learning.
Today, Diogo completed a total of 46 laps, which, added to the 34 on Wednesday and the 39 on Tuesday, brings the total to 119 laps of hard work over three days.
The rider admits that, after the Shakedown and the Sepang Test, he is pleased with the work done and motivated ahead of the next test in Buriram, as he has already felt improvements and gained important learnings at the beginning of his MotoGP journey.
Diogo Moreira (11) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Pro Honda LCR.
Diogo Moreira 19th – (1’58.476): “I’m happy but exhausted, these days have been intense! I’ve understood many things, we’ve done many laps, and the progress has been positive. My feeling on the bike improved day by day, and especially today, I felt good riding it. I believe we’ve found our base setup, and this is great. I still need to do more hours on the bike and improve, but everything will come. We are happy and motivated!”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco finished 15th on Thursday at the Sepang Test.
French rider Johann Zarco and his crew ended the Sepang Test with consistent and positive feelings after some initial struggles.
Today, Johann completed a total of 58 laps, which, added to the 33 on Wednesday and the 60 on Tuesday, brings the total to 151 laps of hard work over three days.
The rider admits that the bike has improved and that, with a few adjustments, he is confident he will have a lot of fun, a positive sign heading into the Buriram Test.
Johann Zarco (5) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Castrol Honda LCR
Johann Zarco 15th – (1’57.601):“I finished this Sepang test on a positive note. We had an intense afternoon today; we rode non-stop, and the feeling was good. Overall, I struggled at the beginning of the test, but we managed to solve the issues and finish in a good way. Since yesterday, we’ve been more consistent, and that’s important. We struggled a bit with tyre drop, but it was the same for everyone. The bike has improved, and now we’re just trying to find the right balance. Let’s keep working like this.”
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3 :
Red Bull KTM Tech3 concludes positive three-day test in Sepang.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 laid strong foundations for the upcoming 2026 MotoGP season during the first official test of the year at the Sepang International Circuit, home of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The team completed an intensive three-day programme with the KTM RC16, as teammates Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini logged an impressive combined total of 280 laps around the 5.54km circuit.
Featuring one of the longest laps on the MotoGP calendar, Sepang’s mix of slow corners, long straights and fast, flowing sections provided the ideal environment to work through a comprehensive testing programme. Across the three days, the Tech3 riders evaluated a range of components and updates, including a new chassis, swingarm and aerodynamic package.
Following a short winter break, the opening day of the Sepang Test saw the RC16 continue its development trajectory, with encouraging progress across all four KTM bikes. A late push saw Viñales take his #12 bike to P3, while teammate Bastianini focused on fine-tuning his positioning on the bike and completed the day in P12.
Hot and humid conditions continued on day two, before rain arrived ahead of the afternoon session and brought running to an early end for much of the field, including Bastianini’s #23 machine. One of the few riders to remain on track was Viñales, who switched to a wet set-up and completed a further eight laps in challenging conditions, ending the day in P5.
The final day of testing shifted focus towards longer runs, with Bastianini completing a Sprint simulation in the morning session. With only a hint of rain in the afternoon, the team continued to work through its remaining test items, bringing the Sepang Test to a close with Bastianini finishing the day in P10 and Viñales in P14.
Across the three days of running, Tech3 completed its planned testing programme in full, gathering valuable data and continuing to refine the KTM RC16 package ahead of the opening race. Maverick Viñales finished the test in ninth position, with teammate Enea Bastianini close behind in P11, marking a productive and positive start to the 2026 MotoGP pre-season.
Tech3 will return to action at the final official pre-season test in Buriram on 21–22 February, ahead of the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season in Thailand from 27 February–1 March.
The completion of the Sepang Test now paves the way for the MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur on 6–7 February, where fans will have the opportunity to see the KTM RC16 in action as Viñales and Bastianini ride through the streets of the Malaysian capital.
Maverick Viñales (12) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Maverick Viñales:“This has been a positive test for me. On the first day, I was really happy with the bike, and you could see from the strong lap-times that day that I was comfortable. We then build on this, by working through the entire test programme the rest of the days, looking at set-up changes and different items. I feel positive heading into the start of the season with this bike. There are still a lot of areas for us to explore, but we will spend the next week looking at the best plan heading into the Thailand test. Another important thing for me is that I’ve assessed my physical fitness at this event, I’m feeling really good on the bike and now looking ahead to the start of the season.”
Enea Bastianini (23) at Sepang, day 3. Photo courtesy Tech3
Enea Bastianini:“We’ve completed a lot over the last three days and I’m happy with the results. We did a lot of work over the winter on the bike, particularly in the wind tunnel, and you can see the positive changes out on track. I think we’ve improved in every area, and I feel comfortable on the bike. I have spent a lot of time with my new Crew Chief, Andreas Madrid, this week and I feel really confident heading into the 2026 season with him. Of course, this is just the first test, so we want to analyse what we’ve worked on here and then try some more things in Thailand so we can continue to improve.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Mananger:“I’m pleased to say that we are leaving the Sepang test with a positive feeling, with most of our test plan completed and we’re happy.
A key thing on Maverick’s side was to check his shoulder condition on a MotoGP bike. We have clearly seen across the three days that he is back to full strength, which is really positive. Alongside this, one of the key objectives for him at this test was to check the 2026 parts. We saw that he was very quick straight away with the standard bike and then step-by-step we implemented each new part for this season. There are some areas that we still need to work on, but overall, we can already see that this package is a bit quicker and he’s ended the test in P9. We know it’s just a test, but to see Maverick back in the top 10 is a real positive for us.
For Enea, one of the main targets was to build some confidence with his new Crew Chief, Andreas, and this has very clearly been done. They’ve worked hard over the last three days, completing over 120 laps and working through the entire programme. We’ve made some adjustments to his position on the bike and he’s now feeling really comfortable and in control – which was another key aim for us this week. We are pleased that we can walk away from this week with another item crossed off our list. He finishes the test in P11, which is already big step forward compared to last year.
I want to thank the whole team for their hard work across these three intensive days and now we must look forward to the next test in two weeks in Thailand, ahead of the start of the season.”
Jack Miller (43) at the Sepang test. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sepang tests Day 2 update for our esteemed Oxley Bom #MotoGP podcast Patreon followers is a sound clash with the Paddock Pass podcast. It’s all here, from the Yamaha disaster down…
Donny Greene (9) leads Chris Steward (40) in a 1981 AMA 250cc Novice race. Photo courtesy Rider Files.
Three-time (1984-1985-1986) AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion and circa 1991 WERA Pro Formula 2 Champion Donny Green died February 3rd, at age 64.
Donny Greene receives his 1981 AMA 250cc Novice #1 plate from AMA Official Bill Boyce. Photo courtesy The Rider Files.
His son Derek wrote on Facebook, “I lost my best friend, father, mentor and idol. He lived larger than life and had an even bigger heart…Thank you for buying my first drum set at 12. Thank you for teaching me good manners. Thank you for teaching me how to ski. Thank you for being there for me when times got tough. I’ll always remember calling you after my shows and reflecting on my performance of that night. You always believed in me as I believed in you. You are a legend. I hate cancer and how ugly that disease is…Gone way too soon. You crossed the final finish line tonight as I kissed your forehead and told you, ‘I love you dad!’ ‘Go Greene Go!'”
Donny Greene won the AMA 250cc Grand Prix Championship three times. Photo courtesy Rider Files.
Greene also raced and won with Dutchman Racing in the AMA/CCS Endurance Series.
May he rest in peace.
(Additional info will be posted as it becomes available.)
Donny Greene at Mid-Ohio, 1987. Photo by Larry Lawrence/Rider Files.
Donny Green (3) won the WERA Pro Formula 2 Championship circa 1991. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
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Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
