With the start of the new year, MotoGP's focus is definitely shifting to the 2026 season, with teams ready to unveil new bikes ahead of pre-season testing. It remains to be seen how much the manufacturers will push for innovation, considering that in 2027 the regulatory change to 850cc engines will come into effect. For this very reason, starting strong in 2026 will be crucial, before gradually diverting resources to the new technical cycle.
The presentation season will kick offon January 13 with Pramac, which will show the 2026 livery at an independent event in Siena, Italy. The next day it will be the turn of the VR46 Racing Team, which has announced that it will unveil a completely revamped livery at Villa Miani in Rome. The first official team to take the field will be Aprilia, expected in Milan on January 15 to debut the new RS-GP.
Ducati will confirm tradition and unveil the Desmosedici on Jan. 19 in Madonna di Campiglio, while Yamaha will fly to Jakarta on Jan. 21 to unveil its first V4-powered MotoGP bike. KTM will wait until Jan. 27 to show the updated RC16, while Honda has not yet announced the date and venue for the unveiling. Instead, the LCR satellite team will unveil the 2026 livery on Feb. 1.
Track activity will begin at Sepang Jan. 29-31, with testing reserved for rookies and test riders. Among the expected protagonists are Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira, reigning champions in Superbike and Moto2 respectively. The first official test open to all riders will also be held in Sepang from Feb. 3 to 5, with the unknown factor related to the physical condition of world champion Marc Márquez, who has just returned from surgery on his right shoulder.
The season-launch MotoGP 2026 will be staged in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 6-7, while the last pre-season test is scheduled in Buriram on Feb. 21-22, close to the Thai GP that will open the championship on March 1. A placement that will leave little room for final developments before the start of racing.
The 2026 calendar will count 22 rounds, equaling an all-time record: the exit of the Argentine GP will be offset by the return of the Brazilian Grand Prix, to be held in Goiânia on March 22, bringing MotoGP back to the South American country for the first time since 2004.
The Brazilian circuit is undergoing a major renovation, which makes the event, if not uncertain, at least worthy of attention. You will read about it separately HERE.