MotoGP | 2026 | Silly Season

i like your predictions and hope they come true.

i hope he excels. but i think realistically its a steep learning curve, and it will take a while to get there, BUT, i think he is talented enough to do it and challenge the top 3 given time.

 

Out of curiosity, who are your top 5 riders in the world?

 

Hell yeah, I don’t follow it closely enough to know all of the insider abbreviations. It took me a couple of seasons to figure out that Francisco and Pecco Bagnia are the same dude. No idea why the commentators call him two different names but man it’s confusing.

 

I would say if anyone can go into GP and not have an issue adapting it'll be him. The guy enters a corner with the rear wheel still off the ground and doesn't miss an apex. If anyone can take to a GP chassis after so much time on production bikes, it'll be him. I am equally ok with it if this comment doesn't age well.

 

If we look at only active racers right now in any class of "sportbike" (not dirt/trials/etc... as then Herlings, Jett, and Toni Bou are in there), I'd have to say maybe, and not ranked in any order:

- Fabio Q
- Marc M
- Toprak R
- Jorge M.
- Davide A/Pecco B as a toss up.

 

....whoops. I totally forgot about Acosta so slot him in the top 5 and remove both of the bottom 2 I guess.

 

I'm excited to see it but all about him being able to do what he wants on a GP chassis. He'll either be top five or bottom 5. No middle ground

 

They say he's crazy on the brakes so I'm more interested in seeing how he does with the motogp brakes. Carbon/ Carbon versus steel disks.

and yeah, the chassis is also gonna be interesting.

 

Didn't we already see this when he tested the yamaha.

He braked later than anyone at the test but also had the slowest corner speed of anybody.

I think more time on the bike and he'll figure it out easy peasy.

 

I hope so, the series needs something actually interesting to watch. The Marc show basically made this season boring as hell

 

@onesixsix It's finally official... Bulega to Ducati MotoGP testing contract for 2026.

https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2025/06/10/bulega-signs-2026-ducati-motogp-test-rider-contract/751922

Now someone needs to start the MotoGP Silly Season 2027 thread with Bulega parking at VR46!

-Tom

 

They say? You haven't seen it?!

 

Nope, Not in awhile. No WSBK feed and too lazy to go find video on the yougores.

 

My list would be very similar:

Marc Marquez
Fabio Quatararo
Jorge Martin
Pecco Bagnaia
Pedro Acosta

 

This is how toprak rides, during races. He does it while on Fast laps, he does it while passing people and he does it for fun.

 

My list would be;
M. Marquez
F. Quateraro
A. Marquez
F. Bagnia
J. Zarco
K. Roberts Sr.

 

I don't remember calling that one did I? Or did you? Either way, we're BOTH geniuses!

Digi is staying at VR46 for 2026. Frankie's contract is up this year. I still think Acosta might find his way to VR46 in 2026 which might lead to Bulega and Acosta being at VR46 in 2027?

 

As much as his whining seems to only be getting worse, I think Morbidelli will get a single year extension to stay at VR46. He's more "VR46" than Diggia and he's 4th in the championship to Diggia's 5th. I think a more likely scenario would be for Ducati to offer Herve a big deal to switch manufacturers, but then again, I think most manufacturers are more focused on their '27 bike and rider lineup.

If you imagine Ducati keeps 6 seats for 2027 my guess is:
- M. Marquez
- Pecco
- A. Marquez
- Aldeguer
- 2 open spots to see what happens this year and the next.

It'd be crazy and a bit futile to try and make those final decisions now when you already have top talent and a LOT can happen between now and 0227.

 

You had mentioned it a month ago... I didn't want to post if it someone else already had so I searched Bulega and your comment came up!

I would love to see Acosta move over, time will tell.

-T

 

I posted a few weeks back that Bulega wanted the role, onesixsix replied that it would be a downgrade and wondering why he'd even consider it as a promotion/upgrade.