MotoGP Summer 2026 Update

We are currently just over a week away from MotoGP returning to Silverstone for the twelfth round of the season. With things heating up in the championship and off-track, this is the only recap you need for MotoGP.

(Image Credits to crash.net)

Martín (left) and Marquez (right) look set to battle it out for the championship this season

At the last round in Germany, a flawless performance secured Ducati’s Marc Marquez the victory. This now means that the reigning world champion is just 18 points behind the current championship leader, Jorge Martín, separated only by Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura. Marquez, over the last four rounds, has closed the championship gap from 102 points down to just 18. Jorge Martín has already alluded to the fact that despite leading the standings, he is not the current favourite for the championship. If Marc can carry the momentum he has had over the last few races, Aprilia will certainly have a problem on their hands, but from a spectator's point of view, we are certainly in for an epic title fight as the 2026 season draws to a close.

Transfer News:

Aprilia are sticking with Marco Bezzecchi for 2027. However, Jorge Martín is departing the Italian team for Yamaha. As a result of this, Aprilia have chosen to bring in the 3-time world-champion Francesco Bagnaia for next season. Bagnaia has struggled over his last few seasons at Ducati; maybe his newfound partnership with Aprilia can bring him back to the top once more.

Bagnaia’s former team, Ducati, has made adjustments to their lineup in accordance with Bagnaia leaving. Marc Marquez has chosen to extend his contract till 2028. Similarly, Ducati has chosen as a replacement for Bagnaia, to bring in Pedro Acosta from KTM. Acosta has proven himself to be fast and one to watch during his short spell in MotoGP, and with KTM not having a majorly competitive bike, it will be great to see Pedro compete at the top level.

Lower down on the grid has been completely revamped for next season; similarly, with the KTM and Yamaha factory teams & satellite team Gresini Ducati all opting for all-new rider lineups next year. As mentioned previously, Jorge Martín, alongside Ogura, have signed for Yamaha and are most certainly set to be a strong partnership for many years to come. Martín, however, is not the only previous world champion on the move. 

2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo is set to swap Yamaha for Honda next season, and if they can get the bike right, looks to be a real threat for next season and definitely one to watch. Another rider to watch at Honda will be David Alonso, who moves up from Moto 2 to sign with Honda Racing Corporation from 2027 onwards. Last on the list of world champions on the move is 2020 world champion Joan Mir, who has exchanged Honda for Ducati and will be riding for Gresini Ducati next season alongside rookie Daniel Holgado, who is set to move up from Moto 2.

KTM are the final team to complete a full revamp, bringing in surprise transfer and championship runner-up in 2025 Alex Marquez alongside Italian and 2026 race winner Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is not entirely ruled out of the championship this year.

There have been a few contract renewals for various teams on the grid, such as Zarco’s renewal with LCR, Razgatlioglu’s pre-existing contract with Pramac, and Bezzecchi’s extension till 2027 with Aprilia back in 2025. There are still 9 seats on the grid yet to be filled as we approach the British GP, and as rumours circulate, there very well may be a few upsets and shakeups before the full 2027 grid is revealed - make sure to stay tuned for transfer updates as they happen!

Article Written by Olive W