After an early reshuffle in the calendar that saw the Qatar Grand Prix pushed to November, the 2026 MotoGP season resumes in full force as the paddock heads to Europe, kicking off with the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto.
Three rounds are already in the books, with Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing setting the early pace through a dominant start to the campaign. But as the European leg begins, historical trends, home pressure and shifting team form could all come into play.
Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, live on SPOTV NOW, here are five key facts to know.
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The Grand Prix with the most home riders
Spain remains the backbone of the MotoGP grid, with nine Spanish riders in the premier class alone, headlined by reigning world champion Marc Márquez, alongside the likes of Jorge Martín, Maverick Viñales and Álex Márquez.
Across Moto2 and Moto3, that number increases even further, effectively making Jerez a home race for a significant portion of the paddock.
Home advantage doesn’t guarantee victory
Despite the heavy Spanish presence, success for home riders at Jerez is far from guaranteed.
Since the MotoGP era began in 2002, non-Spanish riders have actually won more often than not, accounting for 13 of the last 24 editions. The trend extends to the support classes, with non-Spaniards claiming 13 wins in Moto2 and 14 in Moto3 over the same period.
Ducati searching for a response
Ducati Lenovo Team arrive at Jerez under unusual pressure. The factory outfit have not secured a Sunday podium since their one-two finish at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, with Marc Márquez’s injury and Francesco Bagnaia’s late-season DNFs contributing to the slump.
That drought has now extended into the new season, reaching eight races, their longest podium-less run since 2020, when they went five races without a top-three finish.
Jerez represents a crucial opportunity to halt the slide and respond to Aprilia’s early dominance.
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First one-rider team entry of the season
Red Bull KTM Tech3 will line up with just one rider this weekend, after confirming that both Maverick Viñales and replacement Pol Espargaró will miss the Spanish Grand Prix.
That leaves Enea Bastianini as the team’s sole representative, making it an unusual scenario in modern MotoGP, where two-bike entries are the norm.
The last comparable case came at the 2025 Czech Grand Prix, when Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing fielded only Fabio Di Giannantonio due to Franco Morbidelli’s injury.
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Rookies Cup spotlight on future stars
The 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season gets underway at Jerez, running alongside the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
The junior series has long served as a key pathway to the top level, with a significant portion of today’s grid graduating from the programme. Notable alumni include inaugural winner Johann Zarco, 2024 MotoGP champion Jorge Martín and three-time WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.
This year’s grid once again features emerging talents, including Indonesia’s Kiandra Ramadhipa and Thailand’s Kiattisak Singhapong, offering a glimpse of the sport’s next generation on one of its biggest stages.
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