Motorcycling-MotoGP braces for high-stakes 2026 season with grid in flux

MotoGP - Indonesian Grand Prix - Mandalika International Street Circuit, Mandalika, Indonesia - October 4, 2025 Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Franco Morbidelli, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP's Miguel Oliveira and Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez in action with other riders during the sprint race REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

Feb 25 (Reuters) - The 2026 MotoGP season is shaping ⁠up to be one of the most pivotal transition years in recent memory with a 22-race campaign defined by an engine freeze, contract ⁠intrigue, comeback arcs and the final roar of the 1,000cc era.

With the season opening in Thailand this weekend, this will be the final ‌year before MotoGP downsizes to 850cc machinery in 2027, marking the end of an era that began in 2012.