A new fairing for Marc

Huge respect to David Muñoz for his comeback podium after a dire half-year. 6 different operations on the left leg he broke last October after complications due to infections. One tough cookie.

‘My jaw is hurting from shouting so much!’ Max Quiles already looking a shoo-in for this year’s Moto3 title.

Is it truly a trip to the Spanish GP without a long queue here at 7:30 on race day?

‘More than myself this was for the fans. Sometimes they remember more the riders that create a show than win a lot!’

‘This result goes to all the people that are not feeling worth it and (feel) they are being pushed down by life.’

Element of luck with the timing of Marc's crash & where it happened. But still incredible quickness of mind to remount, pit and get stuck in when he did. Took full advantage of conditions today. Wild.

Going out on a limb here. But thinking this is the first time a rider has *won* a Sprint / GP after crashing since Fonsi Nieto's mental 250cc win at Estoril in 2002.

‘I don’t have the potential to attack, I have the potential to survive.’ Marc says being on the podium is an optimistic target at the moment as only had top 5 pace today.

Excellent piece by Jonathan Hawkins on Toprak's adaptation to MotoGP so far and just how far he can go. Great to see bike racing featuring on CNN & well worth a read! edition.cnn.com/2026/04/24/s...

Both of Alex, Marc & Pecco’s bikes fitted with new seat spoiler & leg wings.

1 of Rins’ M1s has sprouted leg wings.

Diggia explaining last year Ducati’s development went in Marc’s direction. But feels he isn’t competitive when riding with that set-up & ‘I don’t have a predictable bike.’ ‘I think we should go a little back & a little in opposite direction.’

Savadori confirms he’ll test Aprilia’s 850 for the first time here on Wednesday & Thursday.

Ogura didn’t want to say anything about possible Yamaha move in 2027. But couldn’t quite hold it together when @adamwheeler99.bsky.social put it to him that Yamaha makes great motocross bikes.

Marc explaining he’s in much better shape compared to previous races. Showed off massive gash on his right arm from the Austin crash, which was a big hinderance. Still eyeing Bezzecchi as the favourite.

Just in: Maverick Viñales has not recovered from shoulder surgery in time to compete this weekend at Jerez. Just 1 Tech3 bike this weekend. Pol Espargaro initially planned to deputise but a hand injury keeps him out.

A few thoughts on Marc Marquez in Austin for @motomatters.com. Was last weekend a blip or is it time to panic? Photo: @cormacgp.bsky.social motomatters.com/analysis/202...

The talented @neilmorrison87.bsky.social has a column up on the website after the US round of #MotoGP in Austin. Is it time to panic for Marc Marquez? Or will he find his feet again? motomatters.com/analysis/202...

Confirmation of Pedro’s front tyre penalty. Drops him from 3rd to 8th.

Woah, Casey O'Gorman take a bow! Front row in just his 7th Moto3 start - and 1st time here at COTA. The lad has some talent. First Irish front row in GP racing since?

New rear spoiler aero / leg wings on both factory Ducatis this morning. Aprilia-esque.

One positive of Marc’s 190kph T10 spill? ‘I feel less pain in the shoulder because it’s concentrating on other points!’

Surgery on Tuesday for Maverick. Said shoulder got worse after Sepang, where he tipped off at last corner & gave it a knock. Doctors have been positive - sure the tendon is +\- healed. Doesn’t want to put a date on his return.

Rough news for Maverick: "Maverick has been experiencing pain and limited power in his L shoulder and, following investigations, it was discovered that a screw fitted after his Sachsenring injury last year has become displaced," say Tech3. Out of this weekend, aiming for Jerez.

Had a very special guest on yesterday's Paddock Notes show - home hero Joe Roberts! We talked to Joe about a variety of things, plus previewed the weekend ahead. Sign up on Patreon to get shows like this each race weekend! soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...

Maverick confirms he’s still hanging big problems with his left shoulder. ‘In right corners I’m at the level, on the left I lose a lot. Can only be one reason.’ Will have further checks after this weekend.

Martin was playing his chances down yesterday. Was feeling quite a bit of pain in left hand after Brazil. Knows this anti-clockwise layout won’t be the easiest. ‘My hand will suffer a lot.’

Woah, said it in Thailand. But what a future star Veda Pratama is. Maiden podium in just his 2nd start - and on a Honda, as well. 1st Indonesian Grand Prix podium *ever*! 🇮🇩🇮🇩

Mad fun Practice session. And wild stuff from Toprak Razgatlioglu to place 3rd in just his 2nd GP weekend. Martin v solid while Bez nowhere. & a cracker of a day for the returning Aldeguer, top 10 in 2 sessions in iffy conditions.

G'wan Toprak!

1st MotoGP session on Brazilian soil since July '04 in the books. Mixed bag as Acosta is fastest on wet tyres ahead of Miller on slicks. Cracking return for Aldeguer in his first time on a MotoGP bike since November last year!

Neil Morrison: Pedro Acosta - From Buriram Sandbagging To Championship Leader https://motomatters.com/analysis/2026/03/07/neil_morrison_pedro_acosta_from_buriram.html Neil Morrison: Pedro Acosta - From Buriram Sandbagging To Championship Leader On the face of it, Round 1 of 2026 …

‘We (Ducati) are not anymore the fastest.’

Outside shot for rider of the weekend? Martin top 5 in quali and top 5 in both races in his injury comeback. Some going when he really struggled to finish Sprint sim a week ago. ‘Felt again I’m the same as I used to be’

Ducati's ridiculous MotoGP podium streak of 88 races (and premier class record) has officially come to an end. First top three without a Desmosedici since Silverstone, 2021. A mere blip or a changing of the guard?

Marc says penalty a sign it’s ’The new MotoGP.’ A bit miffed he didn’t get the penalty immediately after, so he could then react, or once race finished. Felt he executed ‘the perfect move.’

Pedro asked if he’d have made the move Marc did if situations were reversed: ‘Sure, that’s what makes MotoGP exciting.’

Marquez sarcastically clapping Race Direction exiting final turn on his in lap! Don't let the smile fool you - he's fuming.

Woah, what a Sprint! We waited 11 rounds for a decent Saturday race last year. Thailand's delivered first time out. Unreal from Pedro.

Great photo, this. Two bulls sizing each other up after qualifying 2-1. (via @motogp.com)

The future looks very bright for Indonesia in MotoGP. Veda Pratama a fantastic 5th in his first ever Moto3 quali!

Biggest improvements for MotoGP riders in Q1/2 compared to their fastest testing time: -0.557 – Toprak -0.426 – Raul -0.431 – Diogo -0.416 – Pirro -0.255 – Diggia -0.166 – Martin -0.149 – Marc -0.055 – Rins -0.018 – FabioQ -0.016 – Bez

‘I feel well but still not riding the bike like I want.’ Marc can’t put the same force into braking and feels his body’s not in the right position. Still aiming for a front row + Sprint podium tomorrow.

‘I saw the sky coming grey - we put new tyres but with a setting I was struggling with. My mistake. I need to be more calm.’

Rain’s coming.

Both factory Aprilias starting off with rear spoiler aero, while the Trackhouse boys using the ‘Stegosaurus’ design.

Looking at Ducatis in FP1, factory boys, Diggia & Alex starting the season with ‘24 aero. Franco & Pirro on the ‘25.

2026 MotoGP season is officially underway. Good to have the butterflies in the stomach again!!

We're running a very special competition this week: 2 paddock passes for the MotoGP or WorldSBK round of your choice! To enter, sign up and become an annual Paddock Insider on our patreon page and comment on the post below! www.patreon.com/posts/compet...