Two riders were notably absent from the highly anticipated 2026 MotoGP season launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The first was Fermin Aldeguer, who was still recovering from a fractured femur sustained in January.
The same injury also ruled the Gresini rider out of the Sepang Test earlier this week.
Also unfortunately missing from the launch was Fabio Quartararo, who suffered a broken finger during a crash on the opening day of the Sepang Test.
Following the incident, the Yamaha rider travelled home to focus on his recovery and prepare for the upcoming Buriram Test in Thailand.
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Despite the absences, the remaining 20 riders including reigning world champion Marc Marquez took to the stage on Friday for official group photos, with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers providing a dramatic backdrop.
The season launch celebrations continued on Saturday with a full programme of fan-focused activities, including exclusive rider appearances and live performances from international music acts such as The Script, PAWSA and Malaysian pop group Dolla.
The first Grand Prix of the 2026 MotoGP season gets underway at the Chang International Circuit on March 1, with live coverage available on SPOTV NOW.
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