The waiting is finally over. After months of testing, speculation and preparation, the 2026 MotoGP season officially begins in Buriram. This time, the grid hasn’t arrived at the Chang International Circuit to experiment with parts or chase development data — they’re here to race. Over the course of the PT Grand Prix of Thailand weekend, a total of 37 championship points will be available across Sprint and Grand Prix distance, making it an immediate opportunity for riders and teams to establish early momentum. Everything learned during winter testing will now be measured under real competitive pressure, where lap times matter and mistakes carry consequences.
Media Day marked the traditional opening act of the new campaign, bringing riders, teams and media together before engines fire in anger. The atmosphere around the paddock reflected both anticipation and uncertainty. Testing hinted at a closer field than ever, with Aprilia showing headline pace, Ducati maintaining its benchmark consistency, and encouraging signs from KTM, Honda and Yamaha. But until the lights go out, no one truly knows where they stand.
The battle lines drawn: opening press conference
Thursday’s pre-event press conference featured the three riders who defined last season: Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, and Marco Bezzecchi. The trio finished first, second and third respectively in the 2025 championship, and their presence together immediately reinforced the rivalries likely to shape the new year.
Marc Marquez enters 2026 as defending world champion after an extraordinary comeback season with Ducati Lenovo Team. His title charge last year included dominant runs during the Asian flyaway rounds, and Buriram was one of the circuits where he established early control of the championship. However, the Spaniard was quick to downplay expectations, openly acknowledging that the competitive gap has narrowed.
He admitted that during testing, several rivals — particularly the Aprilia riders — were able to match or exceed his pace at times. That honesty reflects the reality of modern MotoGP, where even small technical gains can transform the competitive order.
His younger brother, Alex Marquez, arrives with confidence after the strongest season of his MotoGP career. Finishing runner-up in 2025, he proved he can consistently challenge at the front and is no longer viewed as an outsider. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi has become one of the central figures in the paddock after topping pre-season testing times and showing exceptional consistency aboard the Aprilia RS-GP.
A new season’s identity revealed
Media Day also saw the premiere of MotoGP’s official 2026 opening credits, a tradition that signals the symbolic start of the championship. Featuring dramatic on-board footage, overtakes, celebrations and rivalries from recent seasons, the sequence highlights both established stars and the sport’s emerging generation.
Moments like these underline how much the championship has evolved in recent years. The competitive field is deeper, the technical regulations continue to push engineering innovation, and the global audience continues to grow — particularly in Southeast Asia, where Thailand has become one of the most popular stops on the calendar since joining in 2018.
Rookie spotlight: new careers begin
Two riders preparing for their first MotoGP race weekend attracted particular attention: Diogo Moreira and Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Moreira steps up with LCR Honda after building his reputation in the junior categories, becoming Brazil’s first Grand Prix world champion in any class. His promotion represents both personal achievement and a significant milestone for Brazilian motorcycle racing, a nation that has historically had limited representation at the very top level. Media Day offered him a chance to reflect on the adjustment to MotoGP machinery, which is dramatically more powerful and physically demanding than anything he has previously raced.
Razgatlioglu’s arrival has generated enormous interest. A multiple-time Superbike world champion, the Turkish rider has long been linked with a MotoGP switch. Known for his aggressive braking style and spectacular bike control, he faces the challenge of adapting to Michelin tyres, carbon brakes and prototype electronics — all very different from WorldSBK. His debut represents one of the most anticipated transitions between championships in recent years.
Both riders emphasized learning and adaptation as their primary goals for the opening rounds, while acknowledging that simply competing at this level is already a major step.
Champions assemble for the traditional class photos
As part of the opening-round tradition, riders from MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 gathered for the official championship photographs. These images serve as a visual record of the grid at the start of the season — capturing new team colours, rookie faces and fresh partnerships.
For fans, these moments often highlight the scale of change from one season to the next. Rider transfers, manufacturer developments and technical updates all contribute to a constantly evolving championship landscape.
From anticipation to action
Media Day always represents a turning point. The relaxed atmosphere of testing is replaced by the structured intensity of a race weekend. Engineers shift focus from experimentation to optimisation. Riders move from long-run simulations to outright performance. Every lap from Friday onward contributes to grid positions, points and ultimately the championship.
Buriram itself adds another layer of challenge. The circuit’s combination of long straights and heavy braking zones rewards late braking and strong acceleration, while the tropical heat places extreme demands on tyres and physical endurance. Riders who can manage tyre degradation while maintaining pace often gain a decisive advantage on race day.
After more than three months without racing action, the long off-season has come to an end. The talking is finished, the predictions are about to be tested, and the first chapter of the 2026 MotoGP season is ready to unfold.
The stage is set in Thailand. Now, the racing begins. 🏁
Images Official MotoGP
