MotoGP: Key things to know before the Thailand opener

A closer look at a few familiar topics before MotoGP lands in Thailand for Round 1, which is shaping up to be another compelling campaign.

Here we go then. The Sepang shakedown and official testing process began as another MotoGP season bursts into life, with the 2026 season being the final one before a new era begins in 2027.

with The Grand Prix of the year opens in Thailand. Now that it’s fast approaching, what else do you need to know to enjoy the most exciting sport on earth? If you’re a familiar face around here, you’ll have a pretty good idea. However, if you’re a new fan (you’re welcome, first and foremost) this will give you a good leg up as we gear up for MotoGP to enter competition in 2026.

• Pursuit of the eighth

Mark Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), after completing a great return to the sport in 2025, is now set to win its eighth MotoGP World Championship in 2026.

Despite another winter of recovery from a shoulder injury suffered at the Indonesian Grand Prix in October, the #93 will rest to win as a rider at the Thai Grand Prix. For the first time since 2020, Marc Marquez has lined up in Round 1 as the world champion. The target will be on his back, with many of his pursuers set to win one of the greatest motorcycle races of all time. A tough question.

• Five MotoGP World Champions

The 73-time MotoGP winner is not the only one who knows how to climb to the top of MotoGP and conquer the world. Marc Marquez joins the grid in 2026, as he did last season. 2024 King George Martin (Aprilia Racing), 2023 and 2022 number one Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Group), 2021 buyer Fabio Quatararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and the 2020 Main Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) Between Marquez’s last two championship wins in 2019 and 2025, they have all had trophy-winning success.

Will a new name be added to that impressive list in 2026?

• The arrival of Toprak

Another name known for winning the world championship is MotoGP rookie Torak Razgatlioglu. The three-time WorldSBK champion has joined Prima Pramak Yamaha MotoGP in 2026 and is set to become the first Turkish rider to compete in MotoGP.And while a title win may not come this season, Razgatlioglu’s arrival in the Grand Prix paddock is downright exciting. #07 is undoubtedly one of the most talented motorcycle riders on the planet, so once he’s in the group, expect fireworks from the 29-year-old.

• Welcome, Brazil!

As we welcome our Turkish MotoGP rider to the grid for the first time, we are also ready to witness Brazil. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) Enter the fray. The Moto2 world champion became the first from his country to win a Grand Prix title last season, as Moreira took over the baton left by Brazilian rider Alex Barros, who last raced in MotoGP in 2007.

Oh, and what about timing? Because Round 2 brings us back to Brazil for the first time since 1992, and to Goiania for the first time since 1989.

• Hunting for the first victory

Five riders on the 2026 grid are dreaming of their first MotoGP win this season. Of course, there are our two starters, Razgatlioglu and Moreira. Then there is the 2024 Moto2 World Champion. No. Ogura (Track MotoGP Team), Honda HRC Castrol’s Luca MariniAnd the most talked about… Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Is 2026 the year Acosta finally wins his daughter’s MotoGP? The Spaniard has 10 podium finishes in the class and P4 in the 2025 championship, and with his rise to superstar status, Acosta will be looking for nothing more than 25 points on Sunday.

• Sleeping giants

Honda HRC Castrol are hunting their first win in five long years. And after Mir managed to get two podiums in the last six races, combined with a positive pre-season, HRC is once again a force.

Then there is Yamaha. There may have been a shock or two during the pre-season, but the Iwata marque is now equipped with a bold new V4 engine. There is still a lot of work ahead of us in what will be a major change in philosophy for the Japanese manufacturer, but the foundations for success are being laid.

• The last dance of the MotoGP 1000cc era

Contracts are out of date, new rules are coming. An almighty shake-up is coming for 2027 and already things are getting very, very interesting. Big name moves. Shocks on the cards. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s to come in MotoGP both on and off the track.

Post MotoGP: Key things to know before the Thailand opener It appeared at first Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle riding, racing and technology news.

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