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.
Yeah, McWilliams if we're talking about the island of Ireland for sure. But if we're talking riders who rode under the Irish flag...
Tom Herron, perhaps?
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!
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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
motomatters.com/analysis/2026/03/07/neil...
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!
And the riders who were slower in Q1/2 when compared to their fastest testing time:
+0.465 – Pecco
+0.446 – Ai
+0.350 – Enea
+0.234 – Viñ
+0.162 – Jack
+0.116 – Alex
+0.089 – Mir
+0.065 – Zarco
+0.040 – Acosta
+0.019 – Franco
+0.010 – Binder
+0.005 – Marini
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.