【MotoGP】2026 Season's Second Half Kicks Off at Silverstone! A Tight Championship Battle with 5 Riders Within 24 Points and the End of the 1000cc Era

The 2026 MotoGP season resumes after the summer break, with the second half kicking off at the British Grand Prix (starting August 7th) in Silverstone. A grueling battle, where every point counts, begins across 11 races until the final round in Valencia at the end of November.

Second Half Approaches with a Historically Tight Championship, Expectations for New Winners Following Ai Ogura's First Victory

This season has seen an unprecedentedly fierce championship fight. With 11 rounds completed, a new record in the premier class has been set, with the top five riders closely packed within just 24 points.

Competing for the title are Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Factory Racing, and Japan's rising star, Ai Ogura (IDEMITSU Honda LCR). Furthermore, Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team are also keenly eyeing the crown.

In the first half of the season, Ai Ogura achieved a dramatic maiden MotoGP victory at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, etching his name in history. Following this, attention turns to riders aiming for their first top step of the podium in the second half.

Leading this charge is Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Acosta, who is set to move to Ducati in 2027, faces expectations of achieving his long-awaited first victory in his current KTM colors.

Additionally, Ducati's Bagnaia is eager for a Sunday race win, his first since the Japanese Grand Prix in 2025. Fans are undoubtedly anticipating the moment the double champion crosses the finish line first again on the red machine.

"The Favorite is Marc," Says Martín, Overseas Rounds and the End of the 1000cc Era

Championship leader Jorge Martín, when asked about his chances of winning the title, stated, "I'm not the favorite. The favorite is Marc (Márquez)," showing no complacency towards his rivals. Behind this humble stance, he harbors a quiet fighting spirit for the second half of the season, where every point will carry more weight.

A crucial factor in the second half will be the demanding overseas rounds in Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia. The race in Australia, at Phillip Island, holds particular significance as it will be the last race on the current beautiful circuit before a future relocation to Adelaide.

And the final round in Valencia in November will mark the historic end of the current 1000cc era. The following 2027 season will usher in a new 850cc era, meaning the champion under the current regulations will be decided here.

The official test following the Valencia Grand Prix is expected to offer the first glimpse of riders' movements and team changes for the upcoming season. For now, all eyes will be on the intense battles resuming this weekend at the traditional Silverstone Circuit.