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Austin MotoGP Sunday Subscriber Notes, Part 2: Martin's Redemption Arc, How Acosta Got Faster On Sunday, And Toprak Time

David Emmett — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:18:54 +0000

Austin MotoGP Sunday Subscriber Notes, Part 2: Martin's Redemption Arc, How Acosta Got Faster On Sunday, And Toprak Time

While everyone was (rightly) in awe of the records achieved by Marco Bezzecchi at the Circuit Of The Americas with his fifth win in a row, there was a lot more going on behind. Jorge Martin's remarkable revival, Pedro Acosta's super third place, and the concerns about Ducati in general and Marc Márquez in particular.

In the first part of my Austin review, I covered Bezzecchi, and what the Aprilia is doing better than the Ducati. But there is still a lot more to dig into. Such as the return of Jorge Martin, where the Aprilia is making the difference with respect to the KTM, and why Pedro Acosta could put up more of a fight on Sunday than on Saturday. Plus, Marc Márquez' shoulder and signs of hope for Yamaha.

David Emmett Fri, 03/Apr/2026 - 21:18

Neil Morrison: Marc Marquez - Time to panic?

Neil Morrison — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:55:54 +0000

Neil Morrison: Marc Marquez - Time to panic?

There are several ways to distinguish Marc Marquez in a mood. That stare at whoever is speaking tends to be just that little more intense. The smile tends to be that little narrower, and less convincing. And rather than reflecting, opening up, detailing in his answers, his responses come in rapid, short statements.

All of these traits were very much in evidence as he spoke to the press after a whirlwind weekend in Austin. Even by the nine-time World Champion’s standards, this GP stood out. A crash at close to 120mph on Friday morning left him feeling “pain all over.” He was both baulked and baulked Bezzecchi and Bastianini respectively in qualifying. He took down Fabio Di Giannantonio just twelve turns into the Sprint. And he fought back from a Long Lap Penalty and eleventh to finish fifth on Sunday.

Neil Morrison Thu, 02/Apr/2026 - 13:55

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Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 546: Home hero Oliveira packs them into Portimão

David Emmett — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:13:40 +0000

Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 546: Home hero Oliveira packs them into Portimão

Miguel Oliveira was the man of the moment in Portimao. The home crowd came out in force with a packed paddock there to greet the Portuguese star's every turn. The BMW man delivered on track with a hat-trick of podiums. For Steve and Gordo there was no other place to start than with his performance.

Nicolo Bulega continues to dominate WorldSBK with his perfect record maintained from pole position. His teammate, Iker Lecuona, impressed this weekend with a solid trio of runner-up finishes. The Spanish rider said afterwards that he "was doing my job" to complete a perfect weekend for the Aruba.it Ducati squad.

David Emmett Wed, 01/Apr/2026 - 20:13

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Post Austin MotoGP Silly Season Update: 6 Hondas, Alonso And Holgado To MotoGP, Whither Bulega?

David Emmett — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:10:21 +0000

Post Austin MotoGP Silly Season Update: 6 Hondas, Alonso And Holgado To MotoGP, Whither Bulega?

While back-to-back races can be pretty grueling for riders and mechanics, they provide plenty of down time for rider and team managers. Which means plenty of time for meetings and discussions about the future. Which also means the meat of such discussions gets leaked to the journalists along for the ride.

And so after the Brazilian Grand Prix in Goiânia and the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, there has been plenty of time for talk, and for such talk to seep out into the public domain. We already have a good idea of who will be going where, thanks to the leaks of signings before the season began. But in the past couple of days, there has been a flurry of news of some of the unknown riders.

David Emmett Tue, 31/Mar/2026 - 17:10

Austin MotoGP Sunday Subscriber Notes, Part 1: How The Aprilias Are Beating The Ducatis

David Emmett — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:03:01 +0000

Austin MotoGP Sunday Subscriber Notes, Part 1: How The Aprilias Are Beating The Ducatis

Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi, Marc Márquez. A truly elite group, seven of the greatest riders in history, who all won five premier class grand prix in a row. And now, Marco Bezzecchi makes it eight, taking a convincing win in the US Grand Prix at the Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday.

When MotoGP commentator Matt Birt asked Bezzecchi how he felt about being in such distinguished company, he was surprised. "I'm speechless. It's really tough to describe my emotions and how I feel, especially today. It's pretty strange to hear my name close to these legends like Vale, like Marc and be lucky to be able to fight with them, like Marc, for example, that is the fastest and the strongest of the MotoGP grid right now."

David Emmett Mon, 30/Mar/2026 - 23:03

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Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 545: The New Kings Of MotoGP?

David Emmett — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:23:05 +0000

Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 545: The New Kings Of MotoGP?

Do we have a new King Of COTA? Is there a new top factory in MotoGP? Have Aprilia dethroned Ducati as the top MotoGP manufacturer? Will the 2026 MotoGP title battle be between Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin? After a fascinating US Grand Prix at the Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas, David, Adam and Neil discuss what to make of everything they saw. Is the end nigh for Marc Marquez? Is Marco Bezzecchi now the favourite for the MotoGP title? Why is the Aprilia so much better than the Ducati at the moment, and can Ducati fix this? All this, plus our winners and losers and grades for the US GP.

David Emmett Mon, 30/Mar/2026 - 12:23

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2026 Motomutterers Standings After Round 3, Austin, Texas

spongedaddy — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:01:46 +0000

2026 Motomutterers Standings After Round 3, Austin, Texas

1. LeeroyJenkins - 328	M. Mar - 45	M. Bez - 81	A. Mar - 28	J. Mar - 77	P. Aco - 60	A. Mar - 28	D. Mor - 9
2. onsight512 - 320	M. Bez - 81	M. Mar - 45	A. Mar - 28	J. Mar - 77	P. Aco - 60	A. Mar - 28	T. Raz - 1
3. SG_moto - 320	M. Mar - 45	M. Bez - 81	J. Mar - 77	A. Mar - 28	P. Aco - 60	A. Mar - 28

spongedaddy Sun, 29/Mar/2026 - 22:01

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2026 MotoGP Championship Standings After Round 3, Austin, Texas

Zara Daniela — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:27:17 +0000

2026 MotoGP Championship Standings After Round 3, Austin, Texas

MotoGP standings after COTA:

Zara Daniela Sun, 29/Mar/2026 - 21:27

Round Number

Year

2026

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2026 Austin MotoGP Race Result: Simply Untouchable

Zara Daniela — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:21:50 +0000

2026 Austin MotoGP Race Result: Simply Untouchable

Results and summary of the MotoGP race at COTA:

Zara Daniela Sun, 29/Mar/2026 - 21:21

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2026 Moto2 Championship Standings After Round 3, Austin, United States

David Emmett — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:50:00 +0000

2026 Moto2 Championship Standings After Round 3, Austin, United States

Moto2 standings after the shortened race at the Circuit Of The Americas:

David Emmett Sun, 29/Mar/2026 - 19:50

Round Number

Year

2026

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