Marco Bezzecchi
Everyone in the MotoGP paddock was excited to return to Brazil in 2026, but racing in Goiania saw poor track surfaces and bad management from organisers.
Issues were arising before the action had even started, with flash floods in Goiania on Thursday putting the race at risk. It would be a sign of things to come as major delays followed throughout the weekend.
A huge sinkhole on the main straight delayed the start of the MotoGP Sprint as repairs were made to the track surface. Marc Marquez was annoyed by the delay, and while he went on to win the race, his complaints would not stop there.
Davide Tardozzi was FUMING over the decision to shorten the Brazilian Grand Prix!
But did MotoGP make the right call? 🤔 Let us know in the comments!
Marco Bezzecchi clinched his fourth win in a row at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Aprilia grabbing a historic 1-2 finish with Jorge Martin in second. It was a commanding victory in a race that only ran for 23 laps instead of the scheduled 31.
It would turn out that Goiania had yet more track surface issues, with the race being shortened due to ‘track degradation’. As the riders would soon find out, the decision was wise, but it was a prime example of how underprepared the venue was for MotoGP’s return.
Rider complaints about stones hitting them show MotoGP must immediately fix Goiania circuit for 2027
Organisers told the teams that the race would be cut to 23 laps minutes before the event started, with Davide Tardozzi expressing fury at Carlos Ezpeleta on the grid. It showed that MotoGP were just keen to race, but also how run-down the facilities were at the track.
This was made abundantly clear as stones started breaking apart from the tarmac and striking riders as they raced. Alex Rins was struck on the finger during the Grand Prix, while others, such as Toprak Razgatlioglu and Brad Binder, also reported being hit.
Alex Marquez was furious with the conditions on Sunday as he told Motorsport Espana: “It was really strange, with less laps, and not easy conditions. Between corners 10, 11, all the asphalt was going out, with all the stones, all this.
Aprilia take the headlines, but who was your biggest surprise at the Brazilian Grand Prix?
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“So, quite unacceptable the conditions that we have today, honestly speaking. But it’s like it is, we raced and it was a great show.”
For a MotoGP circuit, this is completely embarrassing. Riders should not be put in a situation where they are in danger of the track breaking apart and causing a serious accident.
The spectacle of racing in Brazil was admittedly great and the fans turned up in their voices. But the facilities were nowhere near the standard for a MotoGP weekend, and organisers must take immediate action before returning in 2027.
READ MORE: All you need to know about the Brazilian Grand Prix, including Goiania stats
Marc Marquez expresses concern about racing in Goiania in 2027
Speaking via Mundo Deportivo after the race, Marc Marquez assessed the conditions in Brazil on Sunday. He finished fourth behind the Aprilias and Fabio Di Giannantonio.
He voiced his concern about the track surface, which needs to be fixed for next year’s event: “One of the things that worries me about this circuit is what will happen next year because the bumps were becoming more noticeable throughout the weekend, and they were getting worse.
“At that point, the asphalt kept coming up more and more, and with each lap, as the asphalt came up, there was gravel everywhere. That’s where we had to improvise, and this time, that improvisation didn’t go well for me.
“I went wide, and it cost us that podium finish. But aside from that, we lacked speed because it was clear from the beginning that the others had a little bit more.”
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