The 2026 MotoGP grid was finalised this Tuesday following the official affirmation of Diogo Moreira’s debut with the LCR Honda group, a transfer first reported by Motorsport.com again in August.
The opposite thriller, regarding Yamaha’s Pramac group, was resolved a few weeks in the past when Jack Miller’s renewal was confirmed, successfully pushing Miguel Oliveira out of MotoGP.
As for the manufacturing unit groups, none will bear any modifications subsequent season.
There aren’t any surprises at Ducati, which can retain nine-time world champion Marc Marquez alongside Francesco Bagnaia.
The road-up at KTM’s manufacturing unit group additionally stays unchanged, with Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder persevering with subsequent 12 months.
Binder, whose contract expires on the finish of 2026, got here near shedding his manufacturing unit seat after KTM thought of changing him with a quick Maverick Vinales. Solely the Spaniard’s premature shoulder damage throughout qualifying on the German GP prevented a direct swap between the pair for 2026.
Amongst manufacturing unit riders, the one one to obtain a contract renewal is Luca Marini, whose take care of Honda was expiring on the finish of this 12 months.
Honda is making ready for a serious overhaul of its rider line-up for 2027, with Moreira’s signing as step one, after its try to signal Jorge Martín for subsequent 12 months fell by. With a motorbike that’s steadily enhancing and almost each rider on the grid out of contract on the finish of subsequent season, Honda may have the liberty to go ‘buying’ in 2027.
There aren’t any modifications at Aprilia both, although a shake-up was shut as Martin tried to extricate himself from his contract. Nonetheless, after talks over the summer season, Martín will proceed with the Italian producer, teaming up with one of many star performers of 2025, Marco Bezzecchi.
Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins may also stay at Yamaha subsequent 12 months, with the Japanese marque quashing any doubts over the latter’s future.
Amongst satellite tv for pc riders, Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco have landed recent contracts with their respective groups VR46 and LCR. In Zarco’s case, he now has a legitimate deal till the 2027 season.
Diogo Moreira, Italtrans Racing Group
Photograph by: Gold and Goose Images / LAT Photos / through Getty Photos
2026 rookies
There will probably be simply two new entrants in MotoGP subsequent 12 months. This wasn’t surprising; with most riders in the course of their two-year offers, there have been merely not sufficient vacancies for newcomers.
Nonetheless, MotoGP has managed to draw World Superbike star Toprak Razgatlioglu, who’s on the verge of securing his third title within the production-based class.
The Turkish rider will make his MotoGP debut on the age of 29 after signing a deal immediately with Yamaha to race for its satellite tv for pc group, Pramac.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Group
Photograph by: Gold and Goose Images / LAT Photos / through Getty Photos
The opposite debutant will probably be Brazil’s Moreira, who’s aiming to win his first title in Moto2 this season.
Whereas plenty of different riders initially tipped for a Moto2 transfer misplaced their approach, Moreira continued to enhance with time, and is seen as a superb signing for Honda.
The Tokyo-based marque needed to stave off competitors from Yamaha, which was fascinated with pairing him with Razgatioglu at Pramac.
Shedding their seats
Somkiat Chantra and most notably Miguel Oliveira won’t be seen on the 2026 MotoGP grid.
Oliveira moved to Pramac in 2025 after a troublesome two-year stint at Trackhouse Aprilia, however his future on the group had been doubtful ever because it signed Razgatlioglu in June.
Pramac needed to drop both Miller or Oliveira to make approach for the WSBK star, and it’s the latter who was finally sacked by the group.
Miguel Oliveira, Pramac Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose Images / LAT Photos / through Getty Photos
Oliveira had signed a 1+1 take care of Pramac final 12 months, with the group having the choice to terminate his contract if sure efficiency standards was by no means met. Partly because of accidents, Olivera has not in a position to obtain the set outcomes, leaving the group free to drop him from its line-up.
Oliveira will now head in the other way as Razgatlioglu, taking his vacant seat at BMW in WSBK. He’s additionally in talks with Aprilia to mix his major WSBK commitments with a take a look at function in MotoGP.
As for Chantra, the dearth of efficiency from the Thai rookie compelled Honda to look elsewhere, even when meaning the lack of sponsorship from petroleum large Idemitsu. Like Oliveira, Chantra has discovered a brand new residence in WSBK the place he’ll race for the manufacturing unit Honda group.
2026 MotoGP grid: Groups and riders
Group
Bike
Riders
Ducati
Ducati Desmosedici
Marc Marquez
Francesco Bagnaia
KTM
KTM RC16
Pedro Acosta
Brad Binder
Aprilia
Aprilia RS-GP
Marco Bezzecchi
Honda
Honda RC213V
Luca Marini
Yamaha
Yamaha M1
Fabio Quartararo
Alex Rins
Pramac
Yamaha M1
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Jack Miller
Trackhouse
Aprilia RS-GP
Raul Fernandez
Tech3
KTM RC16
Maverick Vinales
LCR
Honda RC213V
Johann Zarco
Diogo Moreira
VR46
Ducati Desmosedici
Franco Morbidelli
Ducati Desmoseidic
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