MotoGP is the most uncompromising racing series of the present day. The riders hang ten centimeters above the asphalt at 360 km/h, the machines make 290 hp at 160 kg, and a crash is not the exception but part of the job description. There is no form of racing in which talent becomes so immediately visible.
What it is
- 22 races per season across four continents
- Three classes over the weekend: Moto3 (250 cc), Moto2 (765 cc), MotoGP (1000 cc)
- MotoGP manufacturers: Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Yamaha, Honda
- Sprint format: an additional Saturday sprint race since 2023
Why it matters
- Rider level. Marc Márquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martín, Marco Bezzecchi — the very top of what human reaction time can achieve
- Hardware development. Aero wings, ride-height devices, rear-axle hydraulics — the technical development of recent years is unprecedented
- Circuits. Mugello, Sachsenring, Phillip Island, Misano — bike circuits often have a character that car circuits do not
Where its limits lie
- Safety risk. Crashes are frequent, serious injuries part of the sport
- A steep learning curve for newcomers. Bike racing reads differently from car racing; the choice of line is not obvious
The ABXK take
MotoGP belongs on the calendar of every motorcycle fan and every serious motorsport observer. Anyone who has once seen Mugello or the Sachsenring live — the revs, the lean angles, the sound — understands why motorcycle racing is a class of its own.
On the 2026 calendar as must-attend dates: Mugello, Sachsenring.
Further reading: Ride a race motorcycle.
All champions of the premier class
The complete MotoGP / 500cc world champions list from 1949 to 2025.