📰 MotoGP Weekend Highlights: Rider Market, Contract Renewals and Latest News

Date: 06/07/2026

Although there was no on-track action this weekend due to the calendar break ahead of the German Grand Prix, the MotoGP paddock remained extremely busy. The rider market continues to take shape for the 2027 season, several teams have confirmed major moves, and important medical updates have also emerged ahead of the Sachsenring round.

🏍️ KTM Shakes Up the Rider Market with Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio

The biggest story of the weekend was KTM's official announcement confirming the signing of Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio as factory riders from the 2027 season onwards.

With this move, the Austrian manufacturer is combining experience and speed as it prepares for the new technical regulations coming into force in 2027, aiming to return to fighting consistently for race wins and championship titles.

🔄 The Domino Effect Continues Across the Grid

KTM's announcement has triggered further confirmation of several rider moves across the MotoGP paddock.

Gresini Racing will field an all-new line-up in 2027 featuring Joan Mir and Dani Holgado, while Fermín Aldeguer will begin a new chapter of his career with the VR46 Racing Team.

With many seats already confirmed, the MotoGP rider market is taking shape much earlier than usual.

🏥 Fermín Aldeguer Ruled Out of the German Grand Prix

The disappointing news of the weekend concerns Fermín Aldeguer. The Spanish rider is still recovering from the spinal injury sustained in his crash at Assen and will miss the upcoming German Grand Prix.

Gresini has confirmed that Álex Márquez will be the team's sole rider at Sachsenring while Aldeguer continues his rehabilitation.

🤝 VR46 Extends Its Partnership with Ducati

Another major announcement came from the VR46 Racing Team, which has extended its partnership with Ducati until at least the end of the 2029 season.

The team founded by Valentino Rossi will continue to receive factory support from the Italian manufacturer, strengthening its position as one of the leading satellite teams on the MotoGP grid.

🇩🇪 All Eyes on the German Grand Prix

Following a race-free weekend, attention now turns to the German Grand Prix, which will take place from 10 to 12 July at the Sachsenring circuit.

The event is expected to attract huge interest, as the German circuit has historically been one of Marc Márquez's strongest venues. It will also be the final round before the MotoGP summer break.

🔄 Gresini Racing reshapes its future: Joan Mir and Dani Holgado confirmed for 2027

Date: 02/07/2026

The MotoGP rider market continues to gather pace ahead of the 2027 season. Following several major announcements from manufacturers, Gresini Racing has officially unveiled an entirely new rider line-up with the signing of Joan Mir and Dani Holgado, who will represent the Italian team from next season onwards.

🏆 Joan Mir begins a new chapter with Ducati

2020 MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir will leave Honda at the end of the 2026 season to take on a new challenge with Gresini Racing.

The Spanish rider will compete aboard a factory-spec Ducati Desmosedici, an opportunity widely regarded as the perfect chance to return to fighting consistently for podiums and victories after several challenging years with Honda.

🚀 Dani Holgado steps up to MotoGP

The second major announcement is the promotion of Dani Holgado to the premier class. After an impressive rise through Moto3 and Moto2, the young Spaniard will fulfil his dream of making his MotoGP debut with one of the most competitive teams on the grid.

His signing highlights Gresini's strategy of combining the experience of a former World Champion like Joan Mir with the talent and potential of one of Spain's brightest young riders.

🇮🇹 Gresini combines experience and youth

Under the leadership of Nadia Padovani, Gresini Racing is preparing for a new era with a completely renewed rider line-up. After establishing itself as one of MotoGP's strongest independent teams, the Italian squad hopes to remain among the championship's leading contenders by combining experience, youth and one of the most competitive Ducati packages available.

Once again, Gresini has demonstrated its ability to attract top-level riders while continuing to develop the sport's future stars, reinforcing its reputation as one of MotoGP's benchmark teams.

🏁 Yamaha looks to the future: Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura to lead the factory team from 2027

Date: 01/07/2026

Yamaha Motor Racing has officially confirmed the signing of Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura as its factory riders for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. The Japanese manufacturer is entering a new era with the clear objective of returning to the top of the MotoGP World Championship as the new technical regulations come into force in 2027.

A new era for Yamaha

Following the announcement that Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will leave the factory team at the end of the 2026 season, Yamaha has opted for a complete renewal of its racing project. The arrival of Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura represents a generational change and a strong statement of intent from the Iwata-based manufacturer.

🏆 Jorge Martín to lead Yamaha's new project

Current MotoGP World Championship leader and 2024 MotoGP World Champion, Jorge Martín will embark on a new challenge after his spell with Aprilia. The Spanish rider will lead the development of Yamaha's brand-new V4-powered machine, designed specifically for the regulations that will be introduced in 2027.

🌸 Ai Ogura completes an exciting new line-up

Joining Martín will be Japanese rider Ai Ogura, one of the biggest revelations of the current MotoGP season. His historic victory at Assen—the first by a Japanese rider in the premier class since 2004—together with his impressive adaptation to MotoGP, convinced Yamaha to make him one of the cornerstones of its future project.

🔧 The goal: returning to winning ways

The arrival of both riders is part of Yamaha's extensive technical and sporting transformation. The Japanese manufacturer has been developing an all-new V4-powered motorcycle while reorganising its racing structure with the ambition of competing once again at the front alongside Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda.

💬 Confidence in a winning partnership

Yamaha's management has highlighted the perfect balance offered by Jorge Martín's experience, speed and championship-winning mentality, together with Ai Ogura's youth, talent and potential. The manufacturer believes this new partnership has everything required to return Yamaha to the front of the MotoGP grid.

🏁 Yamaha begins a new era: Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins to leave the factory team in 2027

Date: 30/06/2026

Yamaha Motor Racing has confirmed that Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will leave the factory team at the end of the 2026 season. The decision is part of a major restructuring programme aimed at returning Yamaha to race-winning form under MotoGP's new technical regulations from 2027 onwards.

Why Yamaha has taken this decision

After several seasons below expectations, Yamaha has decided to launch a new sporting project ahead of the introduction of the new MotoGP regulations in 2027. The Japanese manufacturer has been working on the development of a completely new V4-powered machine designed to bring the brand back to the front of the grid.

🏆 The end of an era for Fabio Quartararo

The departure of Fabio Quartararo brings to an end a successful partnership that began in 2019. The French rider became MotoGP World Champion in 2021 and established himself as one of Yamaha's greatest modern riders thanks to multiple victories and podium finishes.

However, the lack of competitiveness of the YZR-M1 over recent seasons has led both parties to go their separate ways after the 2026 campaign.

🇪🇸 Álex Rins also departs

Yamaha has also confirmed the departure of Álex Rins, who joined the factory team to contribute his experience to the development of the bike. Although injuries and technical limitations prevented him from consistently fighting for podiums, Yamaha has praised his professionalism and commitment throughout the project.

🔧 A new project for 2027

The decision is part of Yamaha's major sporting and technical restructuring ahead of the 2027 regulation changes. The introduction of a new V4 engine and a renewed rider line-up are intended to return the Japanese manufacturer to championship-winning form.

👀 What's next?

Both Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will continue racing for Yamaha until the end of the 2026 season. Meanwhile, speculation has already begun regarding their future destinations within the MotoGP paddock.

🏁 MotoGP Assen 2026: Excitement, Surprises and a New Championship Leader

Date: 29/06/2026

The TT Circuit Assen once again lived up to its nickname, "The Cathedral of Motorcycle Racing", delivering a weekend full of overtakes, strategy, crashes and a major shake-up in the MotoGP World Championship standings.

Grand Prix Highlights

🥇 Ai Ogura claims his first MotoGP victory

Japanese rider Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Racing) secured the first MotoGP victory of his career, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a premier-class Grand Prix since Makoto Tamada in 2004.

🚀 Historic one-two finish for Trackhouse Racing

Trackhouse Racing achieved a historic one-two finish thanks to the victory of Ai Ogura and the second-place finish of Raúl Fernández, confirming the excellent form of Aprilia's satellite team.

🔴 Jorge Martín regains the championship lead

• Pole Position.
• Podium finish in Sunday's race.
• New MotoGP World Championship leader.

Marco Bezzecchi's crash allowed the Spanish rider to regain the top position in the championship standings, making the title fight more competitive than ever.

💥 Marco Bezzecchi crashes out

While battling for the leading positions, the Italian rider crashed out and failed to score any points, losing the championship lead in the process.

👏 Strong performance from Álex Márquez

Despite still suffering from physical discomfort, Álex Márquez secured an impressive fifth-place finish, demonstrating remarkable determination and resilience.

⚠️ Other notable moments

• Marc Márquez finished seventh after receiving a penalty for exceeding track limits.
• Pedro Acosta was unable to finish the race due to physical problems.
• Francesco Bagnaia retired because of brake-related mechanical issues.

Highlights from the 2026 Assen MotoGP weekend:

MotoGP World Championship Standings 2026 (After Assen)