HOT HEADLINES: MotoGP’s thunder lands Down Under. 2025 heads for its final four Grands Prix with the iconic Phillip Island hosting the penultimate flyaway.
It’s off to Australia and on to ‘The Island’ – Phillip Island. Mythical to all those who know and to become so for those who don’t… yet. The rumble Down Under brings with it one of the most spectacular settings of the season and delivers immense racing, late dramas and last lap showdowns year after year. Phillip Island, come rain or shine, always brings the action and in 2025, with big names absent, it’s also a land of opportunity.
MARC MARQUEZ OUT: newly-crowned Champion on the sidelines
With Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) already World Champion but out of action in Australia and indeed Malaysia with an injured shoulder, attention is fully turned to the battle for second. After his Japan highs,Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered another low point in Indonesia, failing to score points, denting his quest for the runner-up spot in 2025. That honour currently lies with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who was on the rostrum at Mandalika and chases a repeat performance again. Partnering up with Bagnaia in Marc’s absence is Ducati’s test rider Michele Pirro.
It was Alex Marquez’s teammate who stole the headlines last time out though as Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) became the second-youngest MotoGP winner ever, after only Marc Marquez. He now gears up for Australia and Phillip Island, where he was a winner in 2023’s Moto2™ Grand Prix. The #54 loves the flyaways and with a dream come true two weeks ago, can he finish a stunning rookie year with a flurry?
APRILIA’S ROLLERCOASTER: light amidst the challenges
Aprilia’s form may have been good and the potential there for Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) to double up in Indonesia, but his Lap 1 clash with Marc Marquez resulted in huge missed opportunity for the Italian, who was looking to land a blow in the race for P3 overall. The #72 will hope to rekindle the same pace at Phillip Island. He’ll likely be joined byLorenzo Savadori in the box this weekend, with Jorge Martin still out with injury. Ai Ogura’s (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) attendance is subject to confirmation via medical check but it was teammate Raul Fernandezwho had the weight of the Aprilia team on him in Indonesia. The Spaniard took a first rostrum in over a year in the Tissot Sprint whilst bagging sixth on Sunday. A double top ten on ‘The Island’ last year, he aims to be in the fight again.
KTM STRENGTH: podium fight, victory contenders?
With two KTMs in the top four on Sunday for the second time in four GPs, the Austrian manufacturer’s second-half push continues. Second last time out and getting the gap to the top four down to 39 points, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) still has a challenge on to catch Bezzecchi but it’s not impossible. Teammate Brad Binder’s fourth place in Indonesia was his best Sunday result of 2025 and having been in the top ten in every Australian MotoGP outing, he searches for a first podium since Lusail last year. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was on last year’s Sprint podium at Phillip Island and hopes to bounce back from his Indonesia DNF. He’ll have a different teammate in Pol Espargaro, with Maverick Viñales’ recovery from his shoulder injury sustained at the Sachsenring ongoing.
OUTSIDERS: the battle for P5 and surprise acts from Mandalika
Acosta has risen ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio overall, both of whom have been in the top ten but neither on a Sunday podium since Mugello. Aldeguer is now just 10 points adrift of ‘Diggia’ whilst 23 further back from MotoGP’s newest Grand Prix winner is Fabio Quartararo(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), yet to enjoy a top six finish Down Under. His fellow countryman and 2023 Australian GP winner Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) rounds out the top ten whilst it was Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) who fought for a podium last time out. Another Yamaha rider who is always a star at his home event is Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP). A podium in 2019 and in victory contention in 2022, expect Miller to be right in the thick of the action once more.
You can never discount Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) or teammate Joan Mir, both of whom have been in the podium fight in recent rounds and in the case of Mir, on the podium at Motegi. Points in the last five GPs and a first Sprint point of the season, Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) hopes to extrapolate that form whilst with three points-scoring finishes in a row, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) likewise aims for the same.
What’s left to be said? Home to some of the closest finishes, wildest last lap deciders and most unpredictable winners, Phillip Island really is unmissable! Tune in this weekend for the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Moto2™: title race well and truly on with four to go
Diogo Moreira. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Talk about title race twists. A huge one unfolded post-race on Sunday in Indonesia, as a shock DSQ for second place finisher and World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) blows the title chase wide open heading into the final four rounds.
Now, as we land at an all-time classic venue – Phillip Island, of course – the gap between Gonzalez and Indonesian GP winner Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) is a mere nine points. The Brazilian’s third win of 2025, coupled with Gonzalez’s misfortune, means the pendulum has swung the South American’s way.
But it’s not just Moreira who has closed right in. Aron Canet’s (Fantic Racing) Sunday salvage job in Mandalika – which saw the #44 promoted to P3 – means the Spaniard is now only 33 points adrift of Gonzalez. And Canet enjoyed podium success in Australia last year, so we should be seeing a good version of the rider third overall this weekend.
Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) and Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) can’t be fully ruled out of title contention now too. The gaps to the Belgian and Briton? 43 and 59 respectively. A massively tough ask? Absolutely. Impossible? Not just yet.
Away from the eye-catching title race, home hero Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) will be out to repeat his 2024 podium success on the Island this weekend. The Aussie is without a rostrum since his Silverstone victory, so a top three return will do very nicely.
Moto3™: all eyes on silver medal race
Moto3 race. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Moto3 World Championship might already be wrapped up by the brilliant Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), but there’s plenty still left to play for in 2025 – including a silver medal battle that is shaping up very nicely.
Unfortunately, that’s a fight that won’t have Japanese GP winner David Muñoz(Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) in it after the #64 suffered a broken femur in Indonesia. It means it’s a straight play, seemingly, between Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) – with the latter also aiming to wrap up the Rookie of the Year accolade ASAP. There’s only 14 points between Piqueras and Quiles, and both will be desperate to finish P2 overall.
Quiles is 60 points clear of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in that rookie honours chase, and with 75 left on the table after Sunday’s encounter, that title could be his in Australia.
Speaking of Australia, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) has returned to form in the last few rounds and after a crash to P10 result in Mandalika, the Aussie will be hoping a podium return will come on the Island – after all, he was a P3 finisher here in 2023. Kelso is also now P5 overall – two points clear of Carpe, and 22 ahead of last year’s Island P3 finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) after the Spaniard was handed a post-race penalty in Indonesia.
The other Moto3 home favourite is Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The #12 arrives off the back of his best Moto3 result last time out, a P5, so the Phillip Island faithful have two in-form, home grown talents to cheer on. So, can Moto3’s new King, Rueda, be beaten at the first attempt? Maybe, maybe not… But what we do know is that it’s set to be another unpredictable weekend of action.
Applications to join the 2026 grid will open in November and run until January 2026.
Prospective competitors looking to apply for 2026 entries for the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship, Moto2™ European Championship, Stock European Championship or European Talent Cup can now save the date for when applications open:
KEY DATES
Applications open: 26 th November 2025
Applications close: 26th January 2026
Confirmation of selected riders: no later than February 16 th 2026 (via email)
Selected riders must register online: no later than 16th March 2026
Participants applying for the JuniorGP™, Moto2™, and Stock categories should pay an application fee of half the prize of the total amount of the entry fee (VAT included). About the season entry fees, you can check them here.
• Triumph to launch 33 new and updated Model Year 26 models
• Ambitious launch plan builds on a landmark financial year (FY25), which saw Triumph deliver more than 141,000 motorcycles worldwide
• This remarkable season began with the launch of 6 Off-Road models and a range of new electric motorcycles into the global youth market
• To be the first to hear about each new model announcement, customers are invited to sign up for updates at TriumphMotorcycles.com
Triumph Motorcycles will reveal a record 33 new and updated model year 2026 motorcycles (MY26).
This ambitious rollout follows years of sustained investment in product development and is underpinned by Triumph’s five consecutive years of record-breaking global sales and confidence in the opportunities that exist within the volatile global motorcycle market.
In its latest landmark financial year, from July 2024 to June 2025, Triumph delivered more than 141,000 motorcycles worldwide. This represents a remarkable 136% growth in sales since 2019, delivered through a network of 950 dealers across 68 countries.
The remaining new models will be unveiled in a series of global reveal announcements. The first of three October announcements was ‘Electric Evolution’, when Triumph introduced the range of TXP electric off-road motorcycles for youth. The next story, ‘True Originals Never Settle’ will be revealed on October 21st. On October 28th Triumph will launch a new model ‘Made to Upstage’.
MY26 TF250C and TF450C. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Of the 33 new or updated models coming to market globally in 2026, ten have already been announced. Two all-new competition Enduro and two all-new competition Cross Country off-road motorcycles are already in dealerships. The all-new MY26 Speed Triple 1200 RX and Scrambler 400 XC are also already available in dealerships. The new Triumph TXP electric off-road motorcycle range for youth, and the MY26 TF 250-X and TF 450-X will land in dealerships by December. The remaining 22 bike reveals will include both new variants of existing lines and all-new models.
With new motorcycles arriving in Triumph’s global dealer network over the next six months, many dealers will be hosting a new model preview events during the winter months, inviting customers to be among the first to see the newest motorcycles in the Triumph range.
While the wider industry faces significant challenges, Triumph’s commitment to innovation and quality remains steadfast. The brand’s record investment in new product development is a testament to its belief in the enduring appeal of motorcycling and its responsibility to deliver the very best to customers worldwide.
Recent MY25 launches such as the Tiger Sport 800 have exceeded expectations, while the MY25 Speed Triple 1200 RS has contributed to a strong uplift in sales. The global Triumph dealer network in emerging markets such as China, Brazil, and India have performed very strongly in their markets over the year. This momentum is further strengthened by Triumph’s expansion into new market segments, including sub-500cc motorcycles, competitive off-road, and most recently, electric off-road models designed for younger riders.
Tiger Sport 800. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Triumph has just revealed its first electric off-road youth motorcycles. The new Triumph TXP range, powered by OSET introduced two models with scalable electric performance, premium design, and built-in safety features into North America. Building upon the proven foundation of OSET’s pioneering technology and enhanced by Triumph’s design and engineering expertise, the new TXP models feature a lightweight chassis, advanced rider ergonomics, a unique 2-in-1 modular set-up, and Triumph’s striking Performance Yellow and Graphite Black livery.
The recent launch of the TF 450-X follows a successful debut year of off-road racing for Triumph, with both motocross and enduro motorcycles delivering standout results. With race wins and podium finishes in international series including the AMA SuperMotocross Championship, FIM MXGP, EnduroGP, and SuperEnduro, the TF 250-X, TF 450-RC, TF 250-E, and TF 450-E have all delivered at the highest level on some of the off-road world’s most competitive stages.
MY26 TF 250 X. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Across Europe, North America, and Australia, Triumph has secured multiple national championship titles and podium finishes, including the ACU British MX2 Motocross Championship, where Tommy Searle rode the TF 250-X to the title, and the hotly contested Assoluti d’Italia di Enduro Italian National Championship earlier in the season, where Italian rider Morgan Lesiardo took the 250 4T title aboard the TF 250-E.
Meanwhile, the sub-500cc range, which includes the Speed 400, Scrambler 400 X, and Scrambler 400 XC, has been instrumental in accelerating Triumph’s growth across Asia.
Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer at Triumph Motorcycles, commented: “The momentum we’ve achieved over recent years is extraordinary. Our record sales, expansion into new segments, and the number of upcoming product launches all reflect the quiet optimism we feel about the future. While the market remains challenging for many, Triumph’s focus is clear. We are committed to delivering a range of motorcycles that are exciting, innovative, and built to the highest quality standards, for our customers around the world.”
To be the first to hear about Triumph’s new models, customers are invited to sign up for updates at TriumphMotorcycles.com
ABOUT TRIUMPH :
First established in 1902, Triumph Motorcycles celebrated 120 years of motorcycle manufacture in 2022. For more than three decades, Triumph Motorcycles has been based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and has produced iconic bikes that perfectly blend authentic design, character, charisma, and performance.
FARGO, ND – Krämer Motorcycles USA is proud to reflect on the inaugural year of the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup, marked by outstanding performances from each of the riders who raced the Krämer APX-350 MA. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the riders and teams on their achievements this season, and we look ahead with enthusiasm toward the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup with returning talent and new entrants. Krämer Motorcycles USA is excited to announce the launch of preorders for the APX-350 MA for the 2026 season.
The MotoAmerica Talent Cup has quickly become a proving ground for the next generation of American motorcycle road racers. The 2025 season was a testament to the program’s success. As the spec-racing class powered by Krämer Motorcycles APX-350 MA machines, the Talent Cup provides high performance, a level playing field for young riders and offers a proven “Road to MotoGPTM” development path. This season showcased both the competitive strength of the new platform and the rising stars who piloted bikes. MotoAmerica Talent Cup racers demonstrated remarkable consistency, speed, and sportsmanship throughout the year, reinforcing the APX-350 MA’s growing reputation as a lightweight race platform for developing talent.
As Krämer looks ahead to 2026, preorders for the APX-350 MA are now open. To ensure guaranteed Spring 2026 delivery, all orders must be placed by November 15, 2025. The limited-production APX-350 MA is purpose-built for the MotoAmerica Talent Cup, delivering race-ready performance, spec chassis, and a components package engineered for consistency, performance, and rider development. Every machine is tuned to the same benchmark, allowing talent to shine. Prospective teams and riders are encouraged to place their orders early. Please note that orders received after the preorder deadline may be subject to additional costs.
“We’re really proud of what all the teams have accomplished this year,”said Joe Karvonen, owner of Krämer Motorcycles USA. “The Talent Cup has proven to be a great program for developing young riders as they improve their skills and move up in the ranks. We’re excited to welcome back some familiar faces and also bring in some new riders next season.”
Krämer Motorcycles USA and MotoAmerica remain committed to promoting growth of new and young riders in American road racing. We look forward to the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup season, starting with the Circuit of The Americas in Texas during the MotoGP weekend, March 27-29.
The End of an Era: Jerez set for emotional WorldSBK finale.
Championship standings
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is on the brink of securing his third WorldSBK title. With 580 points and a comfortable 39-point advantage over Bulega, he has the opportunity to seal the crown in Race 1 at the Pirelli Spanish Round.
Fresh from his Race 2 win at Estoril, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) remains determined to keep the title fight alive and will aim to prove once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in WorldSBK.
With three podium finishes at Estoril, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) climbed back into the top three in the standings. Just eight points separate him from Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who also has his sights set on a top-three finish in the Championship.
After being declared unfit at the Estoril Round, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) dropped to fifth place in the standings, though his consistent season has already earned him the Best Independent Rider Award for 2025.
Razgatlioglu’s Title Chances
Toprak Razgatlioglu will be crowned World Champion if he wins the race, finishes ahead of Nicolo Bulega, or if Bulega finishes 14th or lower.
The End of an Era
The Pirelli Spanish Round promises to be an emotional finale, marking the end of several remarkable chapters in WorldSBK history.
On the brink of securing his third WorldSBK crown, Toprak Razgatliogluwill contest his final weekend in the Championship before making the move to MotoGP.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) prepares for an emotional farewell as he brings his glittering WorldSBK career to a close after nearly two decades of success.
At home in Spain, Alvaro Bautista will aim to finish on a high in his last outing with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team before joining Barni Spark Racing Team for 2026.
It will also be the final round for Honda HRC riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, who have raced with the Japanese manufacturer since 2022. Lecuona will move to Ducati, while Vierge steps in to replace Rea at Yamaha.
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will also bow out from WorldSBK, bringing to an end a career that began in 2015 and featured multiple race wins and podiums.
Ryan Vickers concludes his first full-time WorldSBK campaign with Motocorsa Racing, while Andrea Iannone will race for the final time with Team Pata GoEleven.
Following their absence at the previous round due to injury, it remains uncertain whether Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who will join BMW in 2026, and Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) will take part in their final races with their respective teams.
Historical Performance
In 2024, Nicolo Bulega dominated the Jerez round, winning Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race, while Toprak Razgatlioglu sealed his latest crown with victory in Race 2.
Alvaro Bautista is the most successful rider at Jerez with five wins to his name, followed by Razgatlioglu and Rea on three each.
Andrea Locatelli, Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark also featured on the podium last year.
WorldSSP Champion Manzi leads the field into Season Finale
Stefano Manzi (62) and Can Oncu (61) at Estoril. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Championship standings
Stefano Manzi(Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) arrives at Jerez as the newly crowned 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion. The Italian rider sealed the title in Race 2 at Estoril and now leads the standings with 425 points – 82 clear of Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team).
The Turkish rider has already secured second place in the standings, holding a comfortable 110-point advantage over Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing).
Booth-Amos, on 233 points, is locked in a close battle with Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) for third overall, with just six points separating the two ahead of the final round.
Historical performance
Stefano Manzi completed the double at Jerez in 2024, ending his season on a high note.
Federico Caricasulo (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) is also a WorldSSP race winner at the Spanish venue, having taken victories in 2017 and 2019.
In 2024, Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) added to his strong campaign with a podium finish in Race 2.
Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) arrives in Jerez as the Championship leader, a position he has held since the Emilia-Romagna Round. The Spanish rider has 205 points and a narrow 10-point advantage over Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki).
Thompson, who has won two of the last four races, arrives in strong form and will be determined to close the gap to Fernandez, keeping his title hopes alive.
David Salvador (MS Racing) is just 22 points behind Fernandez and will also be targeting the championship in Jerez. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300), a two-time race winner in the last four rounds, remains in contention with 46 points to make up.
Title Chances
Benat Fernandez will be crowned World Champion at Jerez if he:
Finishes 1st and Carter Thompson finishes 7th or lower.
Finishes 2nd, Carter Thompson finishes 12th or lower, and David Salvador does not win the race.
Finishes 3rd, Carter Thompson finishes 16th or lower, and David Salvador finishes 5th or lower.
Historical performance
Last year’s race winners at Jerez were Spanish riders David Salvadorand Julio Garcia.
Two-time WorldSSP300 Champion Jeffrey Buis is the only other rider on the current grid to have won at the Spanish venue.
The Final Chapter for WorldSSP300
The Spanish Round at Jerez will mark the final chapter for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship. Introduced in 2017, the category has provided a vital platform for developing young talent on the world stage.
From 2026, it will be succeeded by the new World Sportbike category, designed to continue fostering the next generation of riders while introducing a new era of competition within the WorldSBK paddock.
2026 will see another season of incomparable action in the 20th running of the Red Bull FIM MotoGP Rookies Cup. 14 races at 7 different rounds starting in Jerez in early April and ending in Spielberg in mid-September. Customary bookends to a series that has a track record of producing future MotoGP riders and World Champions.
2026 Provisional Calendar
– TEST: April 08-10, Jerez, Spain
– Round 1-2: April 23-26, Jerez, Spain
– Round 3-4: May 07-10, Le Mans, France
– Round 5-6: May 28-31, Mugello, Italy
– Round 7-8: June 25-28, Assen, The Netherlands
– Round 9-10: July 09-12, Sachsenring, Germany
– Round 11-12: September 10-13, Misano, Italy
– Round 13-14: September 17-20, Spielberg, Austria
From left, Bradley Smith, Corey Alexander and James Rispoli. Photo courtesy Pipe Dreams podcast.
Pipe Dreams Podcast is back with Episode 32 featuring ex-MotoGP racer, factory BMW test rider, and now Harley-Davidson Factory Racing King of the Baggers star — the englishman Bradley Smith.
Few riders have lived more chapters of motorcycle racing than Bradley. From his early days in England racing MX to tearing through the 125cc and Moto2 ranks to standing on MotoGP podiums and later becoming one of the sport’s most trusted development riders, Bradley’s story is all about evolution.
He’s one of the rare few to score podiums in 125, Moto2, MotoGP, and MotoE—a career built on adaptability and relentless drive. In this episode, Bradley takes us through it all: the pressures of the Tech3 years, to achieving a life-long dream of becoming a factory MotoGP rider fro KTM, and his role in helping BMW develop a championship-winning WorldSBK bike with Toprak.
Now, as he takes on a new challenge in MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers with Harley-Davidson, Bradley opens up about chasing relevance, purpose, and passion in a sport that never stops evolving – just like him.
Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the full episode is out now. Video of the episode can also be viewed on Spotify or YouTube.
Follow along with Bradley on Instagram via @bradleysmith38
The 28-year-old from the Marche region, winner of five Moto2 World Championship races and runner-up in the 2022 Supersport World Championship, will officially return to the WorldSBK Championship, joining the project of the team led by Gianni Ramello and Denis Sacchetti. It’s a fresh start for both parties: Lorenzo relaunching his career on the world stage after a brief but successful year in MotoE, while Go Eleven faces a new challenge aboard the highly anticipated 2026 version of the Borgo Panigale bike. “Balda” will be experiencing his first experience with the Ducati Superbike and the new generation of Pirelli tyres, which have evolved over the last two years; the primary goal will be to improve the package, although he had the opportunity to test the road version and immediately found himself at ease on it.
The challenge is exciting, the choice is intriguing, the idea is to start again with a young rider and gradually climb the rankings, improving over the course of the season; for Balda, it’s a chance to show his talent and earn his place in WorldSBK!
Let’s go Baldattack!
Gianni Ramello (Team Owner):
“I had the opportunity to personally follow the negotiations with Lorenzo, and I’m happy and motivated to welcome him to my team. I don’t think he’s ever had a real chance to show his potential in WorldSBK, but I hope he can do so with us. He’s a rider who had won in Moto2, constantly on the podium in the Supersport World Championship, and I believe he can create a great atmosphere within the team; working with young riders is an extra motivation for me. I can’t wait to see him in action, and we’re also waiting for the new V4 to be delivered so we can organize the first winter tests. We’re starting with no expectations, and I hope to improve race after race, but I’m aware that it will take a period of adaptation to the category and to Ducati. Welcome, Lorenzo!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“We’re thrilled to welcome Baldassarri to Go Eleven. Lorenzo has proven he can ride very fast in recent years, and his performances prove it, even if recent seasons weren’t really positive. We’re convinced he has the potential to be a surprise in the WorldSBK championship. He’s still young, but at the same time he has the right experience to take on this challenge. Speaking with him, I found a guy with the hunger to reach the top, aware that it will be a long and challenging journey, but his mentality is right. He’ll have the latest version of the Panigale and full Ducati support. We’ll have the first official tests with the new bike in January, and we’re all excited to begin this adventure.”
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Rider):
“I’m very happy that this opportunity has become true. I thank the Team, all the people who believed in the project and those who have always been by my side. I’m motivated and excited. I’ve had some difficult years, but this year I’ve relaunched myself in MotoE, a somewhat unusual championship, but one in which I managed to return to the top and onto the podium. Now I’ll go to Portimao to fight for the title. I can’t wait to start the new season with Go Eleven, because I think it’s an excellent team, both familiar and professional at the same time, putting me in the position to show my potential, with the goal of a growing season. We’ll have to work and improve gradually, but at the beginning I’ll want to enjoy the bike, the 2026 V4-R, which will be an extraordinary bike. I had the chance to race with the road version and I immediately felt comfortable, I think the racing version is a step up. Now I’m focused on preparing for the season as best as possible, having a good pre-season with the Team, to come to Australia ready: Phillip Island is my favorite track, it can’t wait for the first race!”
Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira signs a multi-year deal with Honda Racing Corporation, set to join Honda LCR MotoGP Team for the 2026 season.
Hailing from São Paulo, Moreira made his World Championship debut in Moto3 in 2022, where he achieved one win, three podiums, and two pole positions across 39 races. Upon his move to Moto2, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2024, and since then, he has consistently been a front-runner. In 2025, he continues to battle for the World Championship, having secured impressive victories in Assen, Austria, and Indonesia, alongside five other podium finishes.
Honda LCR, in strong collaboration with HRC, remains deeply committed to several core objectives, including the development of young talent. Moreira’s signing further strengthens both Honda and LCR’s focus on shaping the future of MotoGP, complementing the team’s ongoing dedication to excellence at all levels of the sport.
The entire Honda LCR Team is excited to welcome Diogo to the family and looks forward to the next chapter of his promising career.
Lucio Cecchinello | Honda LCR Team Principal:
“We are very pleased to announce the arrival of Diogo Moreira to our team. Without a doubt, Diogo possesses all the qualities to become one of the greats in MotoGP. He has undeniable talent, a deep passion for racing, and has proven his speed across all types of motorcycles and disciplines. On behalf of the entire LCR Team, I extend a warm welcome to Diogo and thank Honda HRC for entrusting us with this exciting project for 2026.”
Diogo Moreira in parc fermé after taking pole position at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Diogo Moreira:
“Joining the MotoGP World Championship with Honda LCR is a dream come true. I want to thank Honda and the team for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I’m excited to learn, to grow, and to fight for strong results at the top level of motorcycle racing.”
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Get to know LCR Honda’s latest recruit, who is looking to make his mark on the sport.
That’s it then! After months of speculation, the grid for the 2026 MotoGP season is finally complete. The last piece of the puzzle finally fell into place ahead of the Australian GP, when it was announced that Diogo Moreira had signed a multi-year MotoGP deal with LCR Honda.
The young Brazilian was one of the most sought-after prospects in the paddock, with multiple factories reportedly chasing his signature. Ultimately, Honda won the battle, securing a rider who’s been tipped as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Moreira will be one of two rookies on the 2026 grid — alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu, who comes from WorldSBK — and notably, he’ll become the first Brazilian MotoGP rider since Alex Barros, an icon of the sport across the 1990s and the early 2000s. But who exactly is Diogo Moreira?
From Motocross in São Paulo to the European racing scene
Hailing from Guarulhos, São Paulo, Diogo Moreira began his racing journey in Brazilian motocross before moving to Spain in 2017 to pursue a career on asphalt. Determined to make his mark, he worked his way up through the European junior ranks, scoring impressive results in the junior categories.
It was in the Red Bull Rookies Cup that Moreira truly caught attention, finishing 6th overall in 2021 with four podiums to his name. His speed and consistency earned him a coveted seat in the Moto3 World Championship with MT Helmets – MSI in 2022.
Moto3: A breakout star emerges
The Brazilian immediately caught the eye with a string of top 10 finishes on his way to the Rookie of the Year crown. On the opening day of his sophomore season, he delivered his first podium in Portugal, which was quickly followed by another in Argentina.
Diogo Moreira during 2023 Indonesian GP. Photo courtesy Dorna.
His first-ever World Championship win came in Round 15 in Indonesia as he finished P8 in the Championship, but Moto2’s Italtrans Racing had seen enough as they offered him an intermediate class ride in 2024.
Moto2: Proving his mettle
His debut year in the intermediate class started inconsistently, but his pace steadily improved as he adapted to the more demanding machinery. By the end of the season, he took his first Moto2 podium at the Barcelona finale — and with it, another Rookie of the Year crown.
Diogo Moreira during 2025 Austrian GP. Photo courtesy Dorna.
That was just a taste of what was to come in 2025, with the Brazilian evolving into one of the class’s standout stars. With a string of top-five finishes, back-to-back podiums at Silverstone and Aragon, and a maiden win at Assen, the Brazilian firmly announced himself as a title contender. That was the first of three wins, the other two coming in Austria and Indonesia, which leaves him within nine points of title rival Manu Gonzalez at the time of writing, heading into the Australian GP.
Chasing History: Brazil’s next great hope
With a move to the premier class now signed and sealed, he’ll be looking to deliver a first World Championship crown. Brazil have never had a Grand Prix World Champion, and Moreira could become its first if he can outscore Gonzalez in the remaining four rounds.
His MotoGP debut will also coincide with the long-awaited return of the Brazilian Grand Prix to the calendar in March 2026. If all goes to plan, Moreira will race in front of his home fans in just his second MotoGP outing, making it a truly emotional milestone for both him and Brazil’s passionate motorsport community.
Number 10 and the dream realised
Throughout his career, Moreira has proudly raced with the number 10, but he’ll have to find a new one for MotoGP as that number is already taken by factory Honda rider Luca Marini. Still, it’s a small price to pay for achieving his lifelong dream: a place in the premier class of world motorcycle racing.
He’s expected to make his MotoGP testing debut at Valencia later this year, but before that, his focus remains firmly on the 2025 Moto2 title fight. So tune in for the Phillip Island Grand Prix, and see for yourself why Honda has placed its faith in Diogo Moreira — Brazil’s next MotoGP superstar.
Jack Miller in action at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Team.
HOT HEADLINES: MotoGP’s thunder lands Down Under. 2025 heads for its final four Grands Prix with the iconic Phillip Island hosting the penultimate flyaway.
It’s off to Australia and on to ‘The Island’ – Phillip Island. Mythical to all those who know and to become so for those who don’t… yet. The rumble Down Under brings with it one of the most spectacular settings of the season and delivers immense racing, late dramas and last lap showdowns year after year. Phillip Island, come rain or shine, always brings the action and in 2025, with big names absent, it’s also a land of opportunity.
MARC MARQUEZ OUT: newly-crowned Champion on the sidelines
With Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) already World Champion but out of action in Australia and indeed Malaysia with an injured shoulder, attention is fully turned to the battle for second. After his Japan highs,Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered another low point in Indonesia, failing to score points, denting his quest for the runner-up spot in 2025. That honour currently lies with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who was on the rostrum at Mandalika and chases a repeat performance again. Partnering up with Bagnaia in Marc’s absence is Ducati’s test rider Michele Pirro.
It was Alex Marquez’s teammate who stole the headlines last time out though as Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) became the second-youngest MotoGP winner ever, after only Marc Marquez. He now gears up for Australia and Phillip Island, where he was a winner in 2023’s Moto2™ Grand Prix. The #54 loves the flyaways and with a dream come true two weeks ago, can he finish a stunning rookie year with a flurry?
APRILIA’S ROLLERCOASTER: light amidst the challenges
Aprilia’s form may have been good and the potential there for Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) to double up in Indonesia, but his Lap 1 clash with Marc Marquez resulted in huge missed opportunity for the Italian, who was looking to land a blow in the race for P3 overall. The #72 will hope to rekindle the same pace at Phillip Island. He’ll likely be joined byLorenzo Savadori in the box this weekend, with Jorge Martin still out with injury. Ai Ogura’s (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) attendance is subject to confirmation via medical check but it was teammate Raul Fernandezwho had the weight of the Aprilia team on him in Indonesia. The Spaniard took a first rostrum in over a year in the Tissot Sprint whilst bagging sixth on Sunday. A double top ten on ‘The Island’ last year, he aims to be in the fight again.
KTM STRENGTH: podium fight, victory contenders?
With two KTMs in the top four on Sunday for the second time in four GPs, the Austrian manufacturer’s second-half push continues. Second last time out and getting the gap to the top four down to 39 points, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) still has a challenge on to catch Bezzecchi but it’s not impossible. Teammate Brad Binder’s fourth place in Indonesia was his best Sunday result of 2025 and having been in the top ten in every Australian MotoGP outing, he searches for a first podium since Lusail last year. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was on last year’s Sprint podium at Phillip Island and hopes to bounce back from his Indonesia DNF. He’ll have a different teammate in Pol Espargaro, with Maverick Viñales’ recovery from his shoulder injury sustained at the Sachsenring ongoing.
OUTSIDERS: the battle for P5 and surprise acts from Mandalika
Acosta has risen ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio overall, both of whom have been in the top ten but neither on a Sunday podium since Mugello. Aldeguer is now just 10 points adrift of ‘Diggia’ whilst 23 further back from MotoGP’s newest Grand Prix winner is Fabio Quartararo(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), yet to enjoy a top six finish Down Under. His fellow countryman and 2023 Australian GP winner Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) rounds out the top ten whilst it was Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) who fought for a podium last time out. Another Yamaha rider who is always a star at his home event is Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP). A podium in 2019 and in victory contention in 2022, expect Miller to be right in the thick of the action once more.
You can never discount Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) or teammate Joan Mir, both of whom have been in the podium fight in recent rounds and in the case of Mir, on the podium at Motegi. Points in the last five GPs and a first Sprint point of the season, Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) hopes to extrapolate that form whilst with three points-scoring finishes in a row, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) likewise aims for the same.
What’s left to be said? Home to some of the closest finishes, wildest last lap deciders and most unpredictable winners, Phillip Island really is unmissable! Tune in this weekend for the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Moto2™: title race well and truly on with four to go
Diogo Moreira. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Talk about title race twists. A huge one unfolded post-race on Sunday in Indonesia, as a shock DSQ for second place finisher and World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) blows the title chase wide open heading into the final four rounds.
Now, as we land at an all-time classic venue – Phillip Island, of course – the gap between Gonzalez and Indonesian GP winner Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) is a mere nine points. The Brazilian’s third win of 2025, coupled with Gonzalez’s misfortune, means the pendulum has swung the South American’s way.
But it’s not just Moreira who has closed right in. Aron Canet’s (Fantic Racing) Sunday salvage job in Mandalika – which saw the #44 promoted to P3 – means the Spaniard is now only 33 points adrift of Gonzalez. And Canet enjoyed podium success in Australia last year, so we should be seeing a good version of the rider third overall this weekend.
Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) and Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) can’t be fully ruled out of title contention now too. The gaps to the Belgian and Briton? 43 and 59 respectively. A massively tough ask? Absolutely. Impossible? Not just yet.
Away from the eye-catching title race, home hero Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) will be out to repeat his 2024 podium success on the Island this weekend. The Aussie is without a rostrum since his Silverstone victory, so a top three return will do very nicely.
Moto3™: all eyes on silver medal race
Moto3 race. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Moto3 World Championship might already be wrapped up by the brilliant Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), but there’s plenty still left to play for in 2025 – including a silver medal battle that is shaping up very nicely.
Unfortunately, that’s a fight that won’t have Japanese GP winner David Muñoz(Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) in it after the #64 suffered a broken femur in Indonesia. It means it’s a straight play, seemingly, between Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) – with the latter also aiming to wrap up the Rookie of the Year accolade ASAP. There’s only 14 points between Piqueras and Quiles, and both will be desperate to finish P2 overall.
Quiles is 60 points clear of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in that rookie honours chase, and with 75 left on the table after Sunday’s encounter, that title could be his in Australia.
Speaking of Australia, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) has returned to form in the last few rounds and after a crash to P10 result in Mandalika, the Aussie will be hoping a podium return will come on the Island – after all, he was a P3 finisher here in 2023. Kelso is also now P5 overall – two points clear of Carpe, and 22 ahead of last year’s Island P3 finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) after the Spaniard was handed a post-race penalty in Indonesia.
The other Moto3 home favourite is Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The #12 arrives off the back of his best Moto3 result last time out, a P5, so the Phillip Island faithful have two in-form, home grown talents to cheer on. So, can Moto3’s new King, Rueda, be beaten at the first attempt? Maybe, maybe not… But what we do know is that it’s set to be another unpredictable weekend of action.
2025 FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship. Photo courtesy JuniorGP.
Applications to join the 2026 grid will open in November and run until January 2026.
Prospective competitors looking to apply for 2026 entries for the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship, Moto2™ European Championship, Stock European Championship or European Talent Cup can now save the date for when applications open:
KEY DATES
Applications open: 26 th November 2025
Applications close: 26th January 2026
Confirmation of selected riders: no later than February 16 th 2026 (via email)
Selected riders must register online: no later than 16th March 2026
Participants applying for the JuniorGP™, Moto2™, and Stock categories should pay an application fee of half the prize of the total amount of the entry fee (VAT included). About the season entry fees, you can check them here.
• Triumph to launch 33 new and updated Model Year 26 models
• Ambitious launch plan builds on a landmark financial year (FY25), which saw Triumph deliver more than 141,000 motorcycles worldwide
• This remarkable season began with the launch of 6 Off-Road models and a range of new electric motorcycles into the global youth market
• To be the first to hear about each new model announcement, customers are invited to sign up for updates at TriumphMotorcycles.com
Triumph Motorcycles will reveal a record 33 new and updated model year 2026 motorcycles (MY26).
This ambitious rollout follows years of sustained investment in product development and is underpinned by Triumph’s five consecutive years of record-breaking global sales and confidence in the opportunities that exist within the volatile global motorcycle market.
In its latest landmark financial year, from July 2024 to June 2025, Triumph delivered more than 141,000 motorcycles worldwide. This represents a remarkable 136% growth in sales since 2019, delivered through a network of 950 dealers across 68 countries.
The remaining new models will be unveiled in a series of global reveal announcements. The first of three October announcements was ‘Electric Evolution’, when Triumph introduced the range of TXP electric off-road motorcycles for youth. The next story, ‘True Originals Never Settle’ will be revealed on October 21st. On October 28th Triumph will launch a new model ‘Made to Upstage’.
MY26 TF250C and TF450C. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Of the 33 new or updated models coming to market globally in 2026, ten have already been announced. Two all-new competition Enduro and two all-new competition Cross Country off-road motorcycles are already in dealerships. The all-new MY26 Speed Triple 1200 RX and Scrambler 400 XC are also already available in dealerships. The new Triumph TXP electric off-road motorcycle range for youth, and the MY26 TF 250-X and TF 450-X will land in dealerships by December. The remaining 22 bike reveals will include both new variants of existing lines and all-new models.
With new motorcycles arriving in Triumph’s global dealer network over the next six months, many dealers will be hosting a new model preview events during the winter months, inviting customers to be among the first to see the newest motorcycles in the Triumph range.
While the wider industry faces significant challenges, Triumph’s commitment to innovation and quality remains steadfast. The brand’s record investment in new product development is a testament to its belief in the enduring appeal of motorcycling and its responsibility to deliver the very best to customers worldwide.
Recent MY25 launches such as the Tiger Sport 800 have exceeded expectations, while the MY25 Speed Triple 1200 RS has contributed to a strong uplift in sales. The global Triumph dealer network in emerging markets such as China, Brazil, and India have performed very strongly in their markets over the year. This momentum is further strengthened by Triumph’s expansion into new market segments, including sub-500cc motorcycles, competitive off-road, and most recently, electric off-road models designed for younger riders.
Tiger Sport 800. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Triumph has just revealed its first electric off-road youth motorcycles. The new Triumph TXP range, powered by OSET introduced two models with scalable electric performance, premium design, and built-in safety features into North America. Building upon the proven foundation of OSET’s pioneering technology and enhanced by Triumph’s design and engineering expertise, the new TXP models feature a lightweight chassis, advanced rider ergonomics, a unique 2-in-1 modular set-up, and Triumph’s striking Performance Yellow and Graphite Black livery.
The recent launch of the TF 450-X follows a successful debut year of off-road racing for Triumph, with both motocross and enduro motorcycles delivering standout results. With race wins and podium finishes in international series including the AMA SuperMotocross Championship, FIM MXGP, EnduroGP, and SuperEnduro, the TF 250-X, TF 450-RC, TF 250-E, and TF 450-E have all delivered at the highest level on some of the off-road world’s most competitive stages.
MY26 TF 250 X. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Across Europe, North America, and Australia, Triumph has secured multiple national championship titles and podium finishes, including the ACU British MX2 Motocross Championship, where Tommy Searle rode the TF 250-X to the title, and the hotly contested Assoluti d’Italia di Enduro Italian National Championship earlier in the season, where Italian rider Morgan Lesiardo took the 250 4T title aboard the TF 250-E.
Meanwhile, the sub-500cc range, which includes the Speed 400, Scrambler 400 X, and Scrambler 400 XC, has been instrumental in accelerating Triumph’s growth across Asia.
Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer at Triumph Motorcycles, commented: “The momentum we’ve achieved over recent years is extraordinary. Our record sales, expansion into new segments, and the number of upcoming product launches all reflect the quiet optimism we feel about the future. While the market remains challenging for many, Triumph’s focus is clear. We are committed to delivering a range of motorcycles that are exciting, innovative, and built to the highest quality standards, for our customers around the world.”
To be the first to hear about Triumph’s new models, customers are invited to sign up for updates at TriumphMotorcycles.com
ABOUT TRIUMPH :
First established in 1902, Triumph Motorcycles celebrated 120 years of motorcycle manufacture in 2022. For more than three decades, Triumph Motorcycles has been based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and has produced iconic bikes that perfectly blend authentic design, character, charisma, and performance.
FARGO, ND – Krämer Motorcycles USA is proud to reflect on the inaugural year of the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup, marked by outstanding performances from each of the riders who raced the Krämer APX-350 MA. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the riders and teams on their achievements this season, and we look ahead with enthusiasm toward the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup with returning talent and new entrants. Krämer Motorcycles USA is excited to announce the launch of preorders for the APX-350 MA for the 2026 season.
The MotoAmerica Talent Cup has quickly become a proving ground for the next generation of American motorcycle road racers. The 2025 season was a testament to the program’s success. As the spec-racing class powered by Krämer Motorcycles APX-350 MA machines, the Talent Cup provides high performance, a level playing field for young riders and offers a proven “Road to MotoGPTM” development path. This season showcased both the competitive strength of the new platform and the rising stars who piloted bikes. MotoAmerica Talent Cup racers demonstrated remarkable consistency, speed, and sportsmanship throughout the year, reinforcing the APX-350 MA’s growing reputation as a lightweight race platform for developing talent.
As Krämer looks ahead to 2026, preorders for the APX-350 MA are now open. To ensure guaranteed Spring 2026 delivery, all orders must be placed by November 15, 2025. The limited-production APX-350 MA is purpose-built for the MotoAmerica Talent Cup, delivering race-ready performance, spec chassis, and a components package engineered for consistency, performance, and rider development. Every machine is tuned to the same benchmark, allowing talent to shine. Prospective teams and riders are encouraged to place their orders early. Please note that orders received after the preorder deadline may be subject to additional costs.
“We’re really proud of what all the teams have accomplished this year,”said Joe Karvonen, owner of Krämer Motorcycles USA. “The Talent Cup has proven to be a great program for developing young riders as they improve their skills and move up in the ranks. We’re excited to welcome back some familiar faces and also bring in some new riders next season.”
Krämer Motorcycles USA and MotoAmerica remain committed to promoting growth of new and young riders in American road racing. We look forward to the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup season, starting with the Circuit of The Americas in Texas during the MotoGP weekend, March 27-29.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (1) and Nicolo Bulega (11). Photo courtesy Nicolo Bulega social media.
The End of an Era: Jerez set for emotional WorldSBK finale.
Championship standings
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is on the brink of securing his third WorldSBK title. With 580 points and a comfortable 39-point advantage over Bulega, he has the opportunity to seal the crown in Race 1 at the Pirelli Spanish Round.
Fresh from his Race 2 win at Estoril, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) remains determined to keep the title fight alive and will aim to prove once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in WorldSBK.
With three podium finishes at Estoril, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) climbed back into the top three in the standings. Just eight points separate him from Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who also has his sights set on a top-three finish in the Championship.
After being declared unfit at the Estoril Round, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) dropped to fifth place in the standings, though his consistent season has already earned him the Best Independent Rider Award for 2025.
Razgatlioglu’s Title Chances
Toprak Razgatlioglu will be crowned World Champion if he wins the race, finishes ahead of Nicolo Bulega, or if Bulega finishes 14th or lower.
The End of an Era
The Pirelli Spanish Round promises to be an emotional finale, marking the end of several remarkable chapters in WorldSBK history.
On the brink of securing his third WorldSBK crown, Toprak Razgatliogluwill contest his final weekend in the Championship before making the move to MotoGP.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) prepares for an emotional farewell as he brings his glittering WorldSBK career to a close after nearly two decades of success.
At home in Spain, Alvaro Bautista will aim to finish on a high in his last outing with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team before joining Barni Spark Racing Team for 2026.
It will also be the final round for Honda HRC riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, who have raced with the Japanese manufacturer since 2022. Lecuona will move to Ducati, while Vierge steps in to replace Rea at Yamaha.
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will also bow out from WorldSBK, bringing to an end a career that began in 2015 and featured multiple race wins and podiums.
Ryan Vickers concludes his first full-time WorldSBK campaign with Motocorsa Racing, while Andrea Iannone will race for the final time with Team Pata GoEleven.
Following their absence at the previous round due to injury, it remains uncertain whether Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who will join BMW in 2026, and Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) will take part in their final races with their respective teams.
Historical Performance
In 2024, Nicolo Bulega dominated the Jerez round, winning Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race, while Toprak Razgatlioglu sealed his latest crown with victory in Race 2.
Alvaro Bautista is the most successful rider at Jerez with five wins to his name, followed by Razgatlioglu and Rea on three each.
Andrea Locatelli, Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark also featured on the podium last year.
WorldSSP Champion Manzi leads the field into Season Finale
Stefano Manzi (62) and Can Oncu (61) at Estoril. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Championship standings
Stefano Manzi(Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) arrives at Jerez as the newly crowned 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion. The Italian rider sealed the title in Race 2 at Estoril and now leads the standings with 425 points – 82 clear of Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team).
The Turkish rider has already secured second place in the standings, holding a comfortable 110-point advantage over Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing).
Booth-Amos, on 233 points, is locked in a close battle with Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) for third overall, with just six points separating the two ahead of the final round.
Historical performance
Stefano Manzi completed the double at Jerez in 2024, ending his season on a high note.
Federico Caricasulo (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) is also a WorldSSP race winner at the Spanish venue, having taken victories in 2017 and 2019.
In 2024, Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) added to his strong campaign with a podium finish in Race 2.
Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) arrives in Jerez as the Championship leader, a position he has held since the Emilia-Romagna Round. The Spanish rider has 205 points and a narrow 10-point advantage over Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki).
Thompson, who has won two of the last four races, arrives in strong form and will be determined to close the gap to Fernandez, keeping his title hopes alive.
David Salvador (MS Racing) is just 22 points behind Fernandez and will also be targeting the championship in Jerez. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300), a two-time race winner in the last four rounds, remains in contention with 46 points to make up.
Title Chances
Benat Fernandez will be crowned World Champion at Jerez if he:
Finishes 1st and Carter Thompson finishes 7th or lower.
Finishes 2nd, Carter Thompson finishes 12th or lower, and David Salvador does not win the race.
Finishes 3rd, Carter Thompson finishes 16th or lower, and David Salvador finishes 5th or lower.
Historical performance
Last year’s race winners at Jerez were Spanish riders David Salvadorand Julio Garcia.
Two-time WorldSSP300 Champion Jeffrey Buis is the only other rider on the current grid to have won at the Spanish venue.
The Final Chapter for WorldSSP300
The Spanish Round at Jerez will mark the final chapter for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship. Introduced in 2017, the category has provided a vital platform for developing young talent on the world stage.
From 2026, it will be succeeded by the new World Sportbike category, designed to continue fostering the next generation of riders while introducing a new era of competition within the WorldSBK paddock.
2025 Red Bull FIM Rookies Cup in Misano. Photo by Gold & Goose/Red Bull.
2026 will see another season of incomparable action in the 20th running of the Red Bull FIM MotoGP Rookies Cup. 14 races at 7 different rounds starting in Jerez in early April and ending in Spielberg in mid-September. Customary bookends to a series that has a track record of producing future MotoGP riders and World Champions.
2026 Provisional Calendar
– TEST: April 08-10, Jerez, Spain
– Round 1-2: April 23-26, Jerez, Spain
– Round 3-4: May 07-10, Le Mans, France
– Round 5-6: May 28-31, Mugello, Italy
– Round 7-8: June 25-28, Assen, The Netherlands
– Round 9-10: July 09-12, Sachsenring, Germany
– Round 11-12: September 10-13, Misano, Italy
– Round 13-14: September 17-20, Spielberg, Austria
From left, Bradley Smith, Corey Alexander and James Rispoli. Photo courtesy Pipe Dreams podcast.
Pipe Dreams Podcast is back with Episode 32 featuring ex-MotoGP racer, factory BMW test rider, and now Harley-Davidson Factory Racing King of the Baggers star — the englishman Bradley Smith.
Few riders have lived more chapters of motorcycle racing than Bradley. From his early days in England racing MX to tearing through the 125cc and Moto2 ranks to standing on MotoGP podiums and later becoming one of the sport’s most trusted development riders, Bradley’s story is all about evolution.
He’s one of the rare few to score podiums in 125, Moto2, MotoGP, and MotoE—a career built on adaptability and relentless drive. In this episode, Bradley takes us through it all: the pressures of the Tech3 years, to achieving a life-long dream of becoming a factory MotoGP rider fro KTM, and his role in helping BMW develop a championship-winning WorldSBK bike with Toprak.
Now, as he takes on a new challenge in MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers with Harley-Davidson, Bradley opens up about chasing relevance, purpose, and passion in a sport that never stops evolving – just like him.
Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the full episode is out now. Video of the episode can also be viewed on Spotify or YouTube.
Follow along with Bradley on Instagram via @bradleysmith38
The 28-year-old from the Marche region, winner of five Moto2 World Championship races and runner-up in the 2022 Supersport World Championship, will officially return to the WorldSBK Championship, joining the project of the team led by Gianni Ramello and Denis Sacchetti. It’s a fresh start for both parties: Lorenzo relaunching his career on the world stage after a brief but successful year in MotoE, while Go Eleven faces a new challenge aboard the highly anticipated 2026 version of the Borgo Panigale bike. “Balda” will be experiencing his first experience with the Ducati Superbike and the new generation of Pirelli tyres, which have evolved over the last two years; the primary goal will be to improve the package, although he had the opportunity to test the road version and immediately found himself at ease on it.
The challenge is exciting, the choice is intriguing, the idea is to start again with a young rider and gradually climb the rankings, improving over the course of the season; for Balda, it’s a chance to show his talent and earn his place in WorldSBK!
Let’s go Baldattack!
Gianni Ramello (Team Owner):
“I had the opportunity to personally follow the negotiations with Lorenzo, and I’m happy and motivated to welcome him to my team. I don’t think he’s ever had a real chance to show his potential in WorldSBK, but I hope he can do so with us. He’s a rider who had won in Moto2, constantly on the podium in the Supersport World Championship, and I believe he can create a great atmosphere within the team; working with young riders is an extra motivation for me. I can’t wait to see him in action, and we’re also waiting for the new V4 to be delivered so we can organize the first winter tests. We’re starting with no expectations, and I hope to improve race after race, but I’m aware that it will take a period of adaptation to the category and to Ducati. Welcome, Lorenzo!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“We’re thrilled to welcome Baldassarri to Go Eleven. Lorenzo has proven he can ride very fast in recent years, and his performances prove it, even if recent seasons weren’t really positive. We’re convinced he has the potential to be a surprise in the WorldSBK championship. He’s still young, but at the same time he has the right experience to take on this challenge. Speaking with him, I found a guy with the hunger to reach the top, aware that it will be a long and challenging journey, but his mentality is right. He’ll have the latest version of the Panigale and full Ducati support. We’ll have the first official tests with the new bike in January, and we’re all excited to begin this adventure.”
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Rider):
“I’m very happy that this opportunity has become true. I thank the Team, all the people who believed in the project and those who have always been by my side. I’m motivated and excited. I’ve had some difficult years, but this year I’ve relaunched myself in MotoE, a somewhat unusual championship, but one in which I managed to return to the top and onto the podium. Now I’ll go to Portimao to fight for the title. I can’t wait to start the new season with Go Eleven, because I think it’s an excellent team, both familiar and professional at the same time, putting me in the position to show my potential, with the goal of a growing season. We’ll have to work and improve gradually, but at the beginning I’ll want to enjoy the bike, the 2026 V4-R, which will be an extraordinary bike. I had the chance to race with the road version and I immediately felt comfortable, I think the racing version is a step up. Now I’m focused on preparing for the season as best as possible, having a good pre-season with the Team, to come to Australia ready: Phillip Island is my favorite track, it can’t wait for the first race!”
From left to right, Lucio Cecchinello (Honda LCR Team Principal), Yuzuru Ishikawa (HRC Executive Director), Diogo Moreira and Taichi Honda (HRC General Manager). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.
Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira signs a multi-year deal with Honda Racing Corporation, set to join Honda LCR MotoGP Team for the 2026 season.
Hailing from São Paulo, Moreira made his World Championship debut in Moto3 in 2022, where he achieved one win, three podiums, and two pole positions across 39 races. Upon his move to Moto2, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2024, and since then, he has consistently been a front-runner. In 2025, he continues to battle for the World Championship, having secured impressive victories in Assen, Austria, and Indonesia, alongside five other podium finishes.
Honda LCR, in strong collaboration with HRC, remains deeply committed to several core objectives, including the development of young talent. Moreira’s signing further strengthens both Honda and LCR’s focus on shaping the future of MotoGP, complementing the team’s ongoing dedication to excellence at all levels of the sport.
The entire Honda LCR Team is excited to welcome Diogo to the family and looks forward to the next chapter of his promising career.
Lucio Cecchinello | Honda LCR Team Principal:
“We are very pleased to announce the arrival of Diogo Moreira to our team. Without a doubt, Diogo possesses all the qualities to become one of the greats in MotoGP. He has undeniable talent, a deep passion for racing, and has proven his speed across all types of motorcycles and disciplines. On behalf of the entire LCR Team, I extend a warm welcome to Diogo and thank Honda HRC for entrusting us with this exciting project for 2026.”
Diogo Moreira in parc fermé after taking pole position at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Diogo Moreira:
“Joining the MotoGP World Championship with Honda LCR is a dream come true. I want to thank Honda and the team for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I’m excited to learn, to grow, and to fight for strong results at the top level of motorcycle racing.”
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Get to know LCR Honda’s latest recruit, who is looking to make his mark on the sport.
That’s it then! After months of speculation, the grid for the 2026 MotoGP season is finally complete. The last piece of the puzzle finally fell into place ahead of the Australian GP, when it was announced that Diogo Moreira had signed a multi-year MotoGP deal with LCR Honda.
The young Brazilian was one of the most sought-after prospects in the paddock, with multiple factories reportedly chasing his signature. Ultimately, Honda won the battle, securing a rider who’s been tipped as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Moreira will be one of two rookies on the 2026 grid — alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu, who comes from WorldSBK — and notably, he’ll become the first Brazilian MotoGP rider since Alex Barros, an icon of the sport across the 1990s and the early 2000s. But who exactly is Diogo Moreira?
From Motocross in São Paulo to the European racing scene
Hailing from Guarulhos, São Paulo, Diogo Moreira began his racing journey in Brazilian motocross before moving to Spain in 2017 to pursue a career on asphalt. Determined to make his mark, he worked his way up through the European junior ranks, scoring impressive results in the junior categories.
It was in the Red Bull Rookies Cup that Moreira truly caught attention, finishing 6th overall in 2021 with four podiums to his name. His speed and consistency earned him a coveted seat in the Moto3 World Championship with MT Helmets – MSI in 2022.
Moto3: A breakout star emerges
The Brazilian immediately caught the eye with a string of top 10 finishes on his way to the Rookie of the Year crown. On the opening day of his sophomore season, he delivered his first podium in Portugal, which was quickly followed by another in Argentina.
Diogo Moreira during 2023 Indonesian GP. Photo courtesy Dorna.
His first-ever World Championship win came in Round 15 in Indonesia as he finished P8 in the Championship, but Moto2’s Italtrans Racing had seen enough as they offered him an intermediate class ride in 2024.
Moto2: Proving his mettle
His debut year in the intermediate class started inconsistently, but his pace steadily improved as he adapted to the more demanding machinery. By the end of the season, he took his first Moto2 podium at the Barcelona finale — and with it, another Rookie of the Year crown.
Diogo Moreira during 2025 Austrian GP. Photo courtesy Dorna.
That was just a taste of what was to come in 2025, with the Brazilian evolving into one of the class’s standout stars. With a string of top-five finishes, back-to-back podiums at Silverstone and Aragon, and a maiden win at Assen, the Brazilian firmly announced himself as a title contender. That was the first of three wins, the other two coming in Austria and Indonesia, which leaves him within nine points of title rival Manu Gonzalez at the time of writing, heading into the Australian GP.
Chasing History: Brazil’s next great hope
With a move to the premier class now signed and sealed, he’ll be looking to deliver a first World Championship crown. Brazil have never had a Grand Prix World Champion, and Moreira could become its first if he can outscore Gonzalez in the remaining four rounds.
His MotoGP debut will also coincide with the long-awaited return of the Brazilian Grand Prix to the calendar in March 2026. If all goes to plan, Moreira will race in front of his home fans in just his second MotoGP outing, making it a truly emotional milestone for both him and Brazil’s passionate motorsport community.
Number 10 and the dream realised
Throughout his career, Moreira has proudly raced with the number 10, but he’ll have to find a new one for MotoGP as that number is already taken by factory Honda rider Luca Marini. Still, it’s a small price to pay for achieving his lifelong dream: a place in the premier class of world motorcycle racing.
He’s expected to make his MotoGP testing debut at Valencia later this year, but before that, his focus remains firmly on the 2025 Moto2 title fight. So tune in for the Phillip Island Grand Prix, and see for yourself why Honda has placed its faith in Diogo Moreira — Brazil’s next MotoGP superstar.
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