Best of the rest – who will join the Marquez brothers in 2025 MotoGP top three?

The 2026 MotoGP season heads to the Balaton Park Circuit this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix, with several storylines set to take centre stage. Ahead of the action, live on SPOTV NOW, here are five key facts to know.

 

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Perfect seven for Marc in 2025

When MotoGP returned to Hungary last season, Marc Márquez made history by completing a clean sweep at the Balaton Park Circuit. The Spaniard was on pole as he won both the sprint and Grand Prix races as well as set the fastest lap. His success extended a remarkable run of seven consecutive victories across sprint and Sunday races, a record since MotoGP introduced the sprint format in 2023.

Still no complete full-time grid in Hungary

Despite this being the fourth overall Hungarian Grand Prix and second visit to Balaton Park, the event has yet to feature a complete line-up of full-time MotoGP riders. Maverick Viñales missed last year's race through injury, while Álex Márquez and Johann Zarco will both be absent this weekend, continuing the unusual trend.

 

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WorldSBK star returns to MotoGP duty

With Álex Márquez still recovering, Gresini Racing have turned to WorldSBK rider Iker Lecuona for this weekend's race. The Spaniard's last MotoGP appearance came in 2023, when he substituted for Álex Rins at LCR Honda during the Malaysian and Qatar Grands Prix. The Balaton Park should not be entirely unfamiliar territory, however, as Lecuona competed there earlier this year in WorldSBK and finished second in both races.

 

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300th win for Italy in sight

Italy is one victory away from becoming the first nation to reach 300 premier-class wins. Marco Bezzecchi's triumph at Mugello last time out delivered Italy's 299th MotoGP victory, leaving a historic milestone within touching distance. Given the strength of Ducati and Aprilia, as well as the number of Italian riders competing near the front, there is every chance the landmark will be achieved this weekend.

 

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Moto4 Northern Cup enters Round 3

The Moto4 Northern Cup continues its 2026 campaign alongside the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Round 3 taking place at the Balaton Park. Anina Urlass leads the championship heading into the weekend, ahead of fellow Germans Robin Siegert and Thias Wenzel, as Germany currently occupies the top three positions in the standings.

 

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to bring together the world's best players across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. While no Southeast Asian national team managed to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament, the region will still have a presence on football's biggest stage through several players currently plying their trade in the region. Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are all represented, with Selangor, Terengganu, Port FC and Persib Bandung contributing players to World Cup squads. Several others also came close to securing places before final selections were announced.

Mohammad Abualnadi (Selangor/Jordan)

Abualnadi joined Selangor shortly after making his senior international debut for Jordan against North Korea in 2024. The 25-year-old quickly established himself as a regular in the Malaysian Super League and remained part of Jordan's plans throughout their qualification campaign. Born in the United States, his World Cup selection also completes a full-circle moment as he prepares to return to his country of birth for football's biggest tournament.

 

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Noor Al-Rawabdeh (Selangor/Jordan)

One of Jordan's most experienced midfielders, Al-Rawabdeh arrived at Selangor in 2023 with significant international pedigree and retained his place throughout the country's historic journey to a first-ever World Cup appearance. His selection also reflects the growing competitiveness of the Malaysian Super League, with Jordan continuing to place its trust in a player competing domestically in Malaysia and across regional competitions.

 

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Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu/Curaçao)

Kastaneer's move to Terengganu in January 2026 did little to affect his standing with Curaçao. The forward played his part as the Caribbean nation secured a historic first World Cup qualification and now heads to the tournament with nine goals in 28 international appearances.

 

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Rebin Sulaka (Port FC/Iraq)

Sulaka appeared to have fallen out of Iraq's plans after spending much of the past year away from the national team setup. However, an outstanding campaign with Port FC helped force his way back into contention. The veteran defender played a key role as the club finished second in Thai League 1, secured AFC Champions League Elite qualification and lifted the Thai League Cup.

 

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Frans Putros (Persib Bandung/Iraq)

Despite limited involvement during Iraq's qualification campaign, Putros did enough to earn a place in the final squad. The Danish-born defender arrives at the World Cup after helping Persib win the 2025/26 league title in Indonesia.

 

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Missed out: Alvin Fortes (Selangor/Cape Verde)

Fortes looked well placed to challenge for a World Cup berth after scoring 13 goals in 40 appearances for Selangor and helping the club reach the ASEAN Club Championship final. He also returned to the Cape Verde national team setup in March 2025 but ultimately missed out on a place in the final squad.

 

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Missed out: Yuran Fernandes (PSM Makassar/Cape Verde)

Fernandes entered the conversation after making his Cape Verde debut in 2025 and later earning another call-up for a fixture against Egypt. However, the experienced centre-back was unable to secure one of the final places on the plane to North America.

 

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Missed out: Kingsley Schindler (Buriram United/Ghana)

Schindler was another outsider who harboured hopes of a World Cup call-up after joining Buriram United on a free transfer from Turkish side Samsunspor. Although not registered for Thai League 1 action, the winger was instrumental in the club’s Thai FA Cup and ASEAN Club Championship success, including scoring an important goal against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the latter’s semi-finals.

 

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Seven teenage singles players are direct entrants to Wimbledon 2026, highlighting a new generation already making its mark on the professional game. The women’s singles draw accounts for five of them, led by world number eight Mirra Andreeva. Still only 19, the Russian has already established herself among the sport’s elite and arrives at the All England Club as one of the players capable of challenging the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. Joining her is fellow top-10 player Victoria Mboko, whose rapid rise over the past year has made the Canadian one of the breakout stars of the 2026 WTA Tour. American teenager Iva Jovic, who was a girls’ doubles winner at Wimbledon in 2024, earns her first direct entry after previously reaching the singles main draw through qualifying last year. Czech prospect Tereza Valentova and Austria’s Lilli Tagger complete the women’s contingent, with both set to make their Wimbledon main-draw debuts after impressive climbs up the rankings. The men’s draw features only two teenage direct entrants looking to dislodge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. Brazil’s João Fonseca returns after reaching the third round on his Wimbledon debut last year, a breakthrough run that has enhanced his reputation as one of the ATP Tour’s brightest young talents. As for Spain’s Rafael Jodar, he arrives in London on the back of his maiden ATP Tour title at the Grand Prix Hassan II earlier this season, continuing his rapid rise up the rankings. While established stars remain the favourites for the titles, the presence of seven teenagers in the SW19 main draw offers another glimpse into the sport’s future.

 

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MotoGP heads to Mugello this weekend with replacement riders once again thrust into the spotlight. Injuries to Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco have forced changes at Gresini Racing and LCR Honda, with Michele Pirro and Cal Crutchlow set to deputising for them at the Italian Grand Prix.

 

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While stand-in riders are a regular feature in MotoGP, strong results are rare in the modern era. Yet throughout the championship’s history, several riders have produced performances far beyond expectations, with some even fighting for victories and podiums against full-time stars. Here are some of MotoGP’s most memorable wildcard and replacement appearances.

Troy Bayliss

Bayliss produced what many still consider the greatest replacement appearance in MotoGP history at Valencia in 2006. Drafted in by Ducati after Sete Gibernau’s injury, the Australian arrived from the Superbike World Championship and adapted immediately to the Desmosedici. After qualifying second, Bayliss stunned the field by defeating Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Loris Capirossi to claim his first and only MotoGP victory.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga

Despite having minimal MotoGP race experience outside testing duties, Nakasuga was called up by Yamaha to replace the injured Ben Spies at Valencia in 2012. In difficult mixed conditions, the Japanese rider kept his composure while several established names crashed out, eventually finishing second behind Dani Pedrosa in one of Yamaha’s most unexpected podiums.

Olivier Jacque

Without a full-time MotoGP ride after 2003, Jacque returned to the grid as Kawasaki’s replacement for the injured Alex Hofmann at the rain-hit 2005 Chinese Grand Prix. The Frenchman capitalised brilliantly on the chaotic conditions to finish second behind Valentino Rossi, securing one of Kawasaki’s most unexpected podiums.

Akira Ryo

The Suzuki wildcard came close to delivering one of MotoGP’s biggest shocks at Suzuka in 2002. The Japanese test rider ran near the front throughout the race and eventually finished second to Valentino Rossi, marking what would become his only MotoGP podium appearance.

 

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Shinichi Ito

At 36 years old, Ito returned as a Honda wildcard at Suzuka in 2002 after spending three years away from premier-class competition. Despite the lack of recent race mileage, the experienced Japanese rider qualified third and finished fourth against a field stacked with full-time factory stars.

Ben Spies

Before joining MotoGP full-time in 2010, Spies quickly built a reputation during several substitute and wildcard outings for Suzuki and Yamaha. The American scored points in all four appearances, including an impressive sixth-place finish at the rain-shortened Indianapolis Grand Prix in 2008 and seventh at Valencia the following year.

 

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Michele Pirro

Few riders have become more synonymous with wildcard and substitute appearances than Pirro. Since becoming Ducati’s official test rider in 2013, the Italian has regularly stepped in for injured riders while also leading Ducati’s extensive development programme. Although he never reached the podium, Pirro recorded several standout finishes, including fourth at Valencia in 2018.

 

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Alvaro Bautista

Already racing full-time in MotoGP with Angel Nieto Team at that time, Bautista stepped into the factory Ducati squad at Phillip Island in 2018 as Jorge Lorenzo’s replacement. Despite struggling in qualifying, the Spaniard delivered an outstanding recovery ride to finish fourth.

Dani Pedrosa

Since retiring from full-time MotoGP competition at the end of 2018, Pedrosa has remained closely involved through KTM’s development programme. His occasional wildcard appearances have repeatedly shown that his speed has never disappeared despite years away from full-time racing as he memorably qualified on the second row and finished fourth at Misano in 2023, and secured third place in the Jerez sprint race a year later.

 

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