MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that WorldSBK is underrated

Wednesday MotoGP News Round Up: How Fast Is Ducati's 850, Ezpeleta On MSMA Talks, A Rider Union, And Replacement Riders

David Emmett — Wed, 06 May 2026 17:14:46 +0000

Wednesday MotoGP News Round Up: How Fast Is Ducati's 850, Ezpeleta On MSMA Talks, A Rider Union, And Replacement Riders

MotoGP is heading to France for the glorious Le Mans round, but in the meantime, a few news stories have popped up. Ducati has run its 850 MotoGP bike for the first time, and the times set are respectable. At the presentation for the Catalonia Grand Prix, MSEG CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, spoke publicly about the lingering dispute with the MSMA over contracts for the 2027 season. Pol Espargaro spoke about new Tech3 owner Günther Steiner's views on replacement riders. Mat Oxley wrote about the need for a rider union. And BMW gave an updated on Miguel Oliveira's injuries sustained in the Superpole race at the Hungarian round of WorldSBK.

Bulega rides Ducati's 850 pretty fast (ish)

David Emmett Wed, 06/May/2026 - 17:14

Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 552: Is More Le Mans Magic From Johann Zarco On The Cards?

David Emmett — Tue, 05 May 2026 14:29:19 +0000

Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 552: Is More Le Mans Magic From Johann Zarco On The Cards?

MotoGP returns to the scene of one of its most emotional races in recent history this weekend, heading to Le Mans, where last year Johann Zarco ignited an already explosive crowd by taking victory in a topsy-turvy rain-struck MotoGP race. Can he do it again this year? Will the weather gods once again look kindly upon him? And what makes Le Mans so special?

To talk through all of this, Adam, Neil and David are joined by leading French journalist Thomas Baujard. Tom discusses endurance racing, campsite mayhem, whether Aprilia will shine at a stop-and-go track, or whether Ducati will continue to reign supreme in France.

David Emmett Tue, 05/May/2026 - 14:29

Read more about Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 552: Is More Le Mans Magic From Johann Zarco On The Cards?
5 comments
Log in or register to post comments

Gordon Ritchie WorldSBK Blog: Ducati Cupdate

Gordon Ritchie — Mon, 04 May 2026 22:28:55 +0000

Gordon Ritchie WorldSBK Blog: Ducati Cupdate

Gordon Ritchie Mon, 04/May/2026 - 22:28

Read more about Gordon Ritchie WorldSBK Blog: Ducati Cupdate
8 comments
Log in or register to post comments

Maverick Viñales To Miss Le Mans, Jonas Folger Drafted In To Replace Him

David Emmett — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:56:06 +0000

Maverick Viñales To Miss Le Mans, Jonas Folger Drafted In To Replace Him

Maverick Viñales has elected to miss another MotoGP round as he focuses on his recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained during qualifying for the German round of MotoGP at Sachsenring last July. Viñales has missed several races since then, including 7 rounds in 2025 and withdrawing from the US Grand Prix in Austin after a screw in his shoulder came loose and had to be removed.

After a visit to the Red Bull Athletic Performance Centre, where riders wearing Red Bull colors are assessed and assisted in their training and injury rehabilitation, Viñales realized that he was not yet strong enough to compete in MotoGP safely. So he has taken the decision to sit out the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. As yet, there is no word on whether he will also miss the Barcelona round scheduled for the week after.

David Emmett Mon, 04/May/2026 - 10:56

Read more about Maverick Viñales To Miss Le Mans, Jonas Folger Drafted In To Replace Him
5 comments
Log in or register to post comments

Jerez MotoGP Test Tech Photo Porn: Devices, Fairings, Foam Squares, And Fuel Tanks In Detail

David Emmett — Sun, 03 May 2026 21:57:08 +0000

Jerez MotoGP Test Tech Photo Porn: Devices, Fairings, Foam Squares, And Fuel Tanks In Detail

What was being tested at Jerez? More than the riders were telling us. But fortunately, we had spies in pit lane, picking up on some of the things the teams wouldn't tell us about. Photographers Niki Kovács and Leslie Hantos put together a collection of some of their best shots from the pits, with some deep technical detail. Sign up and subscribe or support us on Patreon for the full set of tech photos in very high-resolution and much more.

David Emmett Sun, 03/May/2026 - 21:57

2026 WorldSBK Championship Standings After Race 8, Balaton Park, Hungary

David Emmett — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:50:00 +0000

2026 WorldSBK Championship Standings After Race 8, Balaton Park, Hungary

Standings for the World Superbike class after Race 2 in Hungary:

David Emmett Sun, 03/May/2026 - 14:50

Round Number

Year

2026

Read more about 2026 WorldSBK Championship Standings After Race 8, Balaton Park, Hungary
Log in or register to post comments

2026 Balaton Park World Superbike Race Two Result: Attrition Takes Its Toll

Jared Earle — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:20:03 +0000

2026 Balaton Park World Superbike Race Two Result: Attrition Takes Its Toll

World Superbike race two would be missing the BMWs of Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci who were both ruled unfit after this morning'a race, Oliveira with a concussion and Petrucci with a hip injury after contact in turn one with Bahattin Sofuoglu. Folk Motion, a Hungarian dance ensemble, did a traditional folk dance on the grid before the race in the 23ºC weather.

Jared Earle Sun, 03/May/2026 - 14:20

Read more about 2026 Balaton Park World Superbike Race Two Result: Attrition Takes Its Toll
2 comments
Log in or register to post comments

2026 WorldSSP Championship Standings After Race 8, Balaton Park, Hungary

David Emmett — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:04:18 +0000

2026 WorldSSP Championship Standings After Race 8, Balaton Park, Hungary

Standings for the World Supersport class after Race 2 at Balaton Park:

David Emmett Sun, 03/May/2026 - 14:04

Round Number

Year

2026

Read more about 2026 WorldSSP Championship Standings After Race 8, Balaton Park, Hungary
Log in or register to post comments

2026 WorldSBK Championship Standings After The Superpole Race, Balaton Park, Hungary

David Emmett — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:02:29 +0000

2026 WorldSBK Championship Standings After The Superpole Race, Balaton Park, Hungary

Standings for the World Superbike class after the Superpole race in Hungary:

David Emmett Sun, 03/May/2026 - 14:02

Round Number

Year

2026

Read more about 2026 WorldSBK Championship Standings After The Superpole Race, Balaton Park, Hungary
Log in or register to post comments

2026 Balaton Park World Supersport Race Two Result: Close Racing Throughout

Jared Earle — Sun, 03 May 2026 12:57:00 +0000

2026 Balaton Park World Supersport Race Two Result: Close Racing Throughout

World Supersport was eighteen laps at 22ºC with the grid determined by the fastest laps yesterday.

Jared Earle Sun, 03/May/2026 - 12:57

Read more about 2026 Balaton Park World Supersport Race Two Result: Close Racing Throughout
Log in or register to post comments