There was much excitement at Sepang on Sunday, but very little of it had much to do with the race. While all eyes were on next weekend at Qatar, the Malaysian GP was something of a damp squib. Marc Márquez crushed the life out of the opposition, and out of the race, and laid one hand on the 2026 MotoGP crown with one of the most devastating displays of control we've seen in recent years.
At Phillip Island Márquez said that it was time to be "attack mode everywhere". And that is what he did at Sepang, laying down markers in practice and following it up with a second in the sprint and a GP win. The fact that Jorge Martin had already decided to pull out, the pain in his fractured wrist too much to bear, made life a little easier for the Ducati Lenovo rider. From Saturday afternoon on, he only needed concentrate on Marco Bezzecchi, and ensuring he finished ahead of him.
David Emmett Tue, 03/Nov/2026 - 18:12We had a full weekend of racing at Sepang, but all the excitement happened on Sunday night after the chequered flag had fallen. Yamaha announcing they would not travel to Qatar threw a spanner in the works for the MotoGP Group, who had spent all weekend pressuring the teams and persuading them all was well. Neil, Adam and David talk through the possible consequences and fallout from Yamaha's decision, what it means for Qatar, and why MotoGP is so keen to go there.
With all that excitement, you'd almost forget there was a race. The crew also look at how Marc Marquez won, whether there were Aprilia team orders at play, they praise Pedro Acosta's race, and give their winners and losers and grades for the race.
Due to dodgy wifi in Malaysia, the video podcast did not upload completely to YouTube, and so it has been split into two videos.
David Emmett Mon, 02/Nov/2026 - 16:17
With Sepang done and dusted, MotoGP is heading to Qatar. Not quite all of MotoGP, however. On Sunday afternoon after the Sepang race, Yamaha issued a statement saying that they would be following Yamaha corporate travel policy which restricts travel to Qatar, and as a consequence they would not be racing at the Lusail International Circuit.
Yamaha's refusal to travel to Qatar highlights just what a disaster the Qatar round is turning into for the MotoGP Group and Liberty Media. In their attempt to ensure that the Qatar round goes ahead and avoid a financial disaster, they are causing more damage than they were trying to avoid.
There are many good reasons why MotoGP is trying to placate Qatar. The round is about much more than just a MotoGP race. MotoGP Group has found a partner in the QMMF, the Qatari motorsports federation, and in the Lusail International Circuit. The Chairman of the QMMF, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Latif Al Mannai, is also one of the 45 members of Qatar's Shura Council, the board that advises the absolute monarch of Qatar, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Connections
David Emmett Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 21:431. LeeroyJenkins - 1852 M. Mar - 399 M. Bez - 332 A. Mar - 197 J. Mar - 355 P. Aco - 295 A. Mar - 197 D. Mor - 77
2. nh_painter - 1811 M. Mar - 399 M. Bez - 332 F. Bag - 173 A. Mar - 197 J. Mar - 355 A. Ogu - 278 D. Mor - 77
3. SG_moto - 1792 M. Mar - 399 M. Bez - 332 J. Mar - 355 A. Mar - 197 P. Aco - 295 spongedaddy Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 13:55
Yamaha have officially announced that they will not be participating in the Qatar round of MotoGP. Citing an internal corporate travel ban to the region, the Japanese manufacturer has stated it has not seen sufficient reason to go against that policy and travel to Qatar. Yamaha state they are aware of the assessments of the MotoGP Group and the Qatari authorities, but have decided to follow corporate policy.
In response, the MotoGP Group issued a statement regretting Yamaha's decision, reiterating their belief that the assurances provided by Qatar are sufficient to allow the event to go ahead. MotoGP Group also reminded Yamaha of their contractual obligations to both MotoGP and IRTA, as set out in section 1.11.3 of the regulations, which states that each team is obliged to compete in all events, unless they have special dispensation from MotoGP Group/IRTA to skip an event. Obviously, MotoGP Group have not issued such dispensation.
David Emmett Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 10:26MotoGP standings after Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 08:26 Round Number 19 Year 2026Results and summary of the MotoGP race at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 08:18- Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP Race Result: Hot Stuff
- Log in or register to post comments
Moto2 standings after Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 06:31 Round Number 19 Year 2026Results and summary of the Moto2 race at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 06:29Moto3 standings after Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 05:09 Round Number 19 Year 2026Results and summary of the Moto3 race at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 05:04Results:
Zara Daniela Sun, 01/Nov/2026 - 03:02- Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP Warm Up Result: Marquez From Marquez
- Log in or register to post comments
I don't usually find the argument that a championship was won thanks to one specific incident during the season particularly convincing. You can say that the 5 points Valentino Rossi lost to Toni Elias at Estoril cost him the 2006 MotoGP title. But to do that, you have to ignore Rossi being taken out in the first corner of the first race in Jerez (again, by Toni Elias), his DNFs at Shanghai, Le Mans, and Laguna Seca, and last but not least, the fact that he crashed in the early laps of the final round at Valencia, when he had been leading the championship. Championships are long, and a lot can happen.
But I do think that when we come to look back at the 2026 MotoGP championship, we will zero in on lap 8 of the sprint race at Phillip Island a week ago, when Jorge Martin's bike got a fraction out of shape and he lost control going into Hayshed. He fractured his radius in that crash, and with two rounds following on consecutive weekends, that meant that any hope of turning his 2-point championship lead into a second MotoGP crown was as good as gone at that moment.
David Emmett Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 20:19MotoGP standings after Sepang sprint:
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 07:58 Round Number 19 Year 2026Results and summary of the MotoGP sprint at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 07:51- Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP Sprint Result: Drizzling Some Drama
- Log in or register to post comments
Results and summary of qualifying for the Moto2 class at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 06:48Results and summary of qualifying for the Moto3 class at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 05:46- Read more about 2026 Sepang Moto3 Qualifying Result: All Hail The King
- Log in or register to post comments
Results and summary of qualifying for the MotoGP class at Sepang:
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 03:55Saturday at Sepang started with a bit of a novelty at the top of the timing screens, Enea Bastianini taking over the session with three minutes left of it. The Italian looked solid on Friday and stepped up to grab the headline in FP2 - a third of a second quicker than Alex Marquez. Although demoted from top spot in the closing stages, the Gresini rider continues to thrive on one of his favourite tracks, while the factory Aprilia team bookended the timesheets for the first half of the session.
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 02:53Saturday morning at Sepang was as hot and humid as expected, and with Izan Guevara at the top of the timesheets, also as expected. The FP1 leader returned to prime position with one minute left of FP2 and left the competition half a second behind. Barry Baltus had led the way for most of the session, after a slower start on Friday, before getting demoted to second in the closing stages of FP2.
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 02:10Day 2 in Malaysia started in familiar fashion, with practice leader David Almansa back in the limelight, although the Spaniard did take until the final handful of minutes of FP2 to resume control of proceedings. Up until that point, Maximo Quiles had held top spot - the world champion taking the lead halfway through the session, after a slightly sluggish start to his day. David Muñoz made a late jump into the top three, a couple of tenths off the lead, while early FP2 leader Alvaro Carpe and compatriot Adrian Fernandez completed an all-Spanish top five.
Zara Daniela Sat, 31/Oct/2026 - 01:26
Sepang MotoGP Friday Round Up: Marquez Moves In For The Kill While The Track Falls Apart [ 30-Oct-26 6:57pm ]
The sharks are circling. No, not that shark; he will have to wait until next year. But Marc Márquez smells blood in the water, and is closing in for the kill. With Jorge Martin struggling with injury, and Marco Bezzecchi not as competitive as in some previous races, it is time of the 2026 champion to press home his advantage. If an opportunity presents itself, you have to seize it with both hands.
Why is he attacking at a circuit where he has traditionally struggled in the past? "Because it is time to do it," Marc Márquez said. He is not in peak physical condition, but with four rounds left, now is the time to strike. "When you don't feel good in the middle of the season with a physical condition then it is easier to have a big crash. Like I had in the first part of the season: a big crash in Austin, in Jerez and Le Mans. It was time to be calm. Now from Indonesia I decide - always because it was on my calendar - to put everything in and try to take the risk."
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 18:57Marc Marquez has topped the timesheets in the timed practice session for the MotoGP class, making his intentions for the weekend very clear. The Ducati Lenovo rider took top spot on his first fast run, setting a time that no one else would match, then continued running on the same set of tires, saving a soft rear for the rest of the weekend.
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 07:43- Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP PR Result:
- Log in or register to post comments
Results:
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 06:53Results:
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 06:48After the session, Jorge Martin was passed fit to race, while Raul Fernandez was not fit after completing just 5 laps and withdrew from the rest of the weekend.
Results:
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 06:45Results:
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 06:43Results:
David Emmett Fri, 30/Oct/2026 - 06:42
The prospect of a MotoGP round at Qatar next weekend has done what years of talking failed to do: it has laid the basis for a rider union to actually happen. Are the riders united, Enea Bastianini was asked. "Yes. This time yes," he replied.
It is very different to the last time there was talk of rider union back in 2023, after the introduction of sprint races. Then, the grid could not form enough of a consensus. Qatar has hardened opinion, brought the riders together. "Much more. Much more," Alex Márquez said.
"I think that the future is to create a riders association. We tried 3 years ago when we were in India, we tried it a few months after, but everything was like, a strange feeling between riders. But I think this time with this that is happening, I think everybody realizes that we need that and we'll see how the future is," Márquez said.
David Emmett Thu, 29/Oct/2026 - 21:34After the washout at Phillip Island, MotoGP heads into the final stretch. With just four rounds to go, the MotoGP championship is still wide open. But maybe it's three rounds to go, if Qatar is dropped. Or maybe Sepang is the last round, if MotoGP heads to Qatar and the US-Iran war kicks off again, and the paddock gets stuck in Qatar.
The end of the 2026 MotoGP season is turning into a horrible mess. Most of it is largely out of the hands of the MotoGP Group. Though the weather at Phillip Island is often atrocious in October, the chances of a race actually being canceled are low. But not zero, as we saw last weekend. And the military and political conflict between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other is happening on a level way beyond anything MotoGP can impact.
David Emmett Thu, 29/Oct/2026 - 00:501. LeeroyJenkins - 1735 M. Mar - 365 M. Bez - 315 A. Mar - 181 J. Mar - 355 P. Aco - 263 A. Mar - 181 D. Mor - 75
2. nh_painter - 1720 M. Mar - 365 M. Bez - 315 F. Bag - 166 A. Mar - 181 J. Mar - 355 A. Ogu - 263 D. Mor - 75
3. SG_moto - 1677 M. Mar - 365 M. Bez - 315 J. Mar - 355 A. Mar - 181 P. Aco - 263 spongedaddy Wed, 28/Oct/2026 - 01:58
The weather may have defeated MotoGP at Phillip Island, but the series keeps rolling on. While the paddock heads to Sepang for the next round of the series, here's a round up of some of the news items that have been happening. An update on Jorge Martin, and how he is preparing to attempt to ride in Malaysia after fracturing his wrist, the return of Joan Mir to the Honda HRC Castrol team, an update on Qatar, and another step forward for the Adelaide Street Circuit due to host the Australian GP in November 2027.
Jorge Martin's wrist
David Emmett Tue, 27/Oct/2026 - 18:17
For the second consecutive year, Maria Herrera has been crowned WorldWCR Champion ahead of compatriot Beatriz Neila. The Spaniard concluded the FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship's third season with a 28-point advantage over her closest rival. Certainly no great surprise to those who have followed the championship throughout 2026, although the final weekend at Jerez suggested that the series' established hierarchy may not be quite as secure as the standings imply.
Herrera arrived at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto with a commanding 44-point lead. Her second World Championship was all but assured, provided she finished in the points across the final two races. She ultimately ended the races fifth and fourth respectively, hardly the most emphatic conclusion to a title-winning campaign, but enough to bring her season total to 250 points against Neila's 222.
Alice Jukes Mon, 26/Oct/2026 - 15:29It was the race that didn't happen. A long day of waiting around, hoping for visibility to improve and a final farewell to Phillip Island to take place. But the weather never eased off enough to make racing possible. In this episode of the Paddock Pass Podcast, David, Neil, and Adam discuss whether this was the send off Phillip Island deserved, who, if anyone, is to blame, why the race was cancelled, and what this all means for the championship. Plus our winners and losers, and how do you give a MotoGP race that didn't happen a grade? We gave it our best shot.
Please join our merry band of supporters by signing up to the Paddock Pass Podcast Patreon to get access to our Discord server and a host of exclusive content. Show you are listening to the world's smartest racing podcast by getting your t-shirts, caps, hoodies and more from our merch store. Enjoy the show!
David Emmett Sun, 25/Oct/2026 - 15:07
The visit by MotoGP to Phillip Island came to a fitting end. To steal a phrase used by the young or the terminally online, that was the most Phillip Island to ever Phillip Island. Phillip Island did everything expected of it, and more. Glorious sunshine on Friday, a breathtaking sprint race on Saturday, and all action called off because of the weather on Sunday. The fact that Sunday was sold out merely makes the irony all the more delicious.
Not for the poor souls who braved the utterly miserable conditions on Sunday at the Island. For them I have nothing but the deepest admiration. For their fortitude, but also for their optimism. It's MotoGP at Phillip Island. The Curse Of The Australian Grand Prix Corporation lies upon it.
David Emmett Sun, 25/Oct/2026 - 13:45After several delays in the hope that the visibility issues would eventually clear and the medical helicopter could be operated, a decision was eventually made that the races in all three classes are cancelled. Racing could not safely get underway without the medical helicopter being able to fly, as the closest hospital by road is over 45 minutes away from the circuit.
As a farewell to Phillip Island, MotoGP riders completed a parade lap behind the safety car and greeted the very patient fans on the main straight, with Jack Miller as the star of the brief show.
Zara Daniela Sun, 25/Oct/2026 - 04:40Action at Phillip Island has been delayed due to weather conditions. Because of heavy rain, the medical helicopter cannot take off, making it unsafe.
Conditions are expected to improve around 11am local time, at which point a new assessment will be made. Warm up will be the first session under the current plan. But all depends on how conditions develop.
David Emmett Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 22:17
There are three lessons that we can learn from the last ever sprint race for the MotoGP class at Phillip Island. That keeping your head is the decisive factor when it comes to championship fights. That some riders bounce better than others, making mistakes much more costly. And that Phillip Island truly is a magical motorcycle racing circuit.
To start with the latter, and arguably the most important point. The sprint race at Phillip Island was a timely reminder of just why so many fans love the circuit so deeply. At the front, a tight battle with multiple overtakes. Different riders on different bikes all being able to battle on equal footing. Riders qualifying in ninth and nearly making it onto the podium. Fast, scintillating action, and a spectacle to die for. Motorcycle racing is above all emotion, and the Phillip Island sprint race was pure emotion, exhilaration, excitement, passion.
David Emmett Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 21:26Jorge Martin's mistake at the Hayshed on lap 8 of the MotoGP sprint race at Phillip Island has had severe consequences. The factory Aprilia rider lost the front on the entrance to Turn 8 and slid off despite a valiant attempt to save a crash. He started tumbling once he hit the gravel, and in the high speed crash he fractured his right wrist.
After the race, Aprilia's communications team issued the following statement: "Jorge Martin was taken to the circuit's medical center following his crash. The x-rays revealed a fracture of the right radius and a suspected fracture of the right ulna at the distal end. Martin will undergo further examinations to reach a definitive assessment of his condition. Martin has been declared unfit for tomorrow's race."
David Emmett Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 11:26MotoGP standings after Phillip Island sprint:
Zara Daniela Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 05:06 Round Number 8 Year 2026Results and summary of the MotoGP sprint at Phillip Island:
Zara Daniela Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 04:58Results and summary of qualifying for the Moto2 class at Phillip Island:
Zara Daniela Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 03:38Results and summary of qualifying for the Moto3 class at Phillip Island:
Zara Daniela Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 02:47Results and summary of qualifying for the MotoGP class at Phillip Island:
Zara Daniela Sat, 24/Oct/2026 - 01:08Saturday continued to be particularly wet at Phillip Island, with umbrellas greatly outnumbering the few glimpses of sunshine throughout the morning. In the tricky conditions, the experts were in the limelight, starting with Marc Marquez, who set camp at the top of the timing screenings early on and his advantage was as high as two whole seconds at times. Fellow wet weather enthusiast Johann Zarco was as high as second, fronting a depleted Honda line-up, although late charges from Pedro Acosta and the factory Aprilia duo eventually demoted him to 5th in the closing stages.
Zara Daniela Fri, 23/Oct/2026 - 23:51After the conditions looked pretty wet and miserable to start the day, there was a hint of sunshine coming out less than 10 min into the final practice session for the intermediate class. That wasn't quick enough to stop a flurry of early tumbles from the likes of Deniz Öncü, Alex Escrig, Dani Muñoz and Adrian Hertas - crashes continuing to be a hot topic for the rest of FP2 - but title hopeful Izan Guevara was not going to be denied for much longer.
Zara Daniela Fri, 23/Oct/2026 - 23:13Although the overnight rain that soaked the track had calmed down somewhat by the time FP2 got underway, the lightweight class still got a very wet welcome on Saturday morning. The Spanish duo of Maximo Quiles and Brian Uriarte quickly embraced the conditions and between the two of them they hogged the limelight in FP2. Uriarte spent most of the session at the top of the timing screens, until compatriot Quiles took over with seven minutes left of the action and distanced Uriarte by half a second.
Zara Daniela Fri, 23/Oct/2026 - 22:25
Phillip Island gave us a timely reminder of just what a spectacular place and circuit it is. We had the full, glorious menu, together with a couple of the entertaining and downright dangerous downsides. And best of all, we got slowmo shots of Pedro Acosta drifting both wheels through Turn 3, paired with replays of Casey Stoner showing how it was done 15 years ago on the Repsol Honda.
(And given both factory Honda riders were absent through illness, Luca Marini having withdrawn after the first couple of laps on Friday morning, Repsol got more mileage out of the 2026 MotoGP round at Phillip Island than HRC's current sponsor Castrol.)
We had drama and red flags, with high speed crashes and a wallaby on the loose bringing a halt to proceedings. And we had a graphic illustration of the difference between the Ducati and the Aprilia through fast corners.
David Emmett Fri, 23/Oct/2026 - 20:56The final round of the WorldSBK campaign is in the books and Nicolo Bulega's unprecedented campaign is finished. The World Champion dominated the final round of the season, the Spanish Round at Jerez, to win for the 32nd time out of 36. He'll move on to MotoGP next year but he wasn't the only goodbye from last weekend.
Jerez was the final round of Pirelli acting as the tyre supplier to the series. Italian rubber has been the hallmark of over two decades in WorldSBK and we'll have a Patreon show dedicated to them. We've already had an Alvaro Bautista special but will we see him again in WorldSBK? It's definitely the end for Danilo Petrucci and we comment his remarkable career.
David Emmett Fri, 23/Oct/2026 - 14:14Marco Bezzecchi has topped the timesheets in the timed session of practice for the MotoGP class at a gloriously sunny Phillip Island. The factory Aprilia rider was quick throughout, and put in a blistering last run to take top spot on the timesheets. Last year's winner Raul Fernandez ended the session as second quickest on the Trackhouse Aprilia, less than a tenth of a second behind Bezzecchi, and a few hundredths ahead of both Marc Marquez and Ai Ogura, the two riders ending on an identical time.
David Emmett Fri, 23/Oct/2026 - 05:09
