Season of 22 GPs with Sprint format on Saturday confirmed. Marc Marquez is the favourite, with his Ducati teammate Bagnaia and the Aprilias of Bezzecchi and Martin ready to challenge him. Mugello (31 May) and Misano (13 September) are the Italian stages
The 2026 MotoGP presents itself as a transitional but always exciting season: the last of the 1000cc era before the regulatory revolution expected in 2027. A championship that combines the hunt for titles, an already active rider market and new protagonists ready to change the balance. Here is an essential guide to approaching the departing season.
calendar
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The season remains among the longest in recent history, with 22 races divided between next Sunday’s Thailand GP and the Valencia GP on November 22nd. The Italian stages will, as per tradition, be the Italian GP at Mugello (31 May) and the GP of San Marino and the Riviera di Rimini in Misano (13 September). The Brazilian GP is back among the races.
format
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The format introduced in recent years has been confirmed: three-day weekend with Sprint Race on Saturday (half distance and reduced points) and long race on Sunday, an element that increases the pressure on the teams and drivers, who are also very stressed from a physical point of view.
the favourites
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On a sporting level, the central theme is Marc Márquez’s hunt for his tenth world title. On the other side there is Francesco Bagnaia, motivated by the desire for revenge in a year of being separated at home. Aprilia represents the most anticipated opponent, with Marco Bezzecchi called to make the definitive leap and Jorge Martín destined to experience a season of transition before his farewell. Also watch out for Alex Márquez, now on the Desmosedici GP26, a possible outsider. Among the Italians, VR46 seeks continuity and strong results, while Pedro Acosta remains the most awaited name for the first victory in the top class. There is also great curiosity about the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu from Superbike.
the outsiders
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On the technical front, all eyes are on the recovery of the Japanese manufacturers: Honda attempts to return to the top, Yamaha inaugurates a new philosophy with the V4 engine.
the samples
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Marc Marquez, with his 73 victories in the premier class, is one of the 5 world champions at the start of the championship. With him the 2024 world champion Jorge Martín (Aprilia); the 2023 and 2022 world champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati; the 2021 world champion, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and the best of 2020 Joan Mir (Honda HRC).
where to see it on TV
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In Italy, television coverage remains entrusted to Sky Sport MotoGP and NOW with complete live coverage, while TV8 will offer some races free-to-air and deferred.
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