California is among the few states in the United States yet to legalize gambling. However, if you are a motorsports enthusiast in California looking for a better way to engage with MotoGP, we recommend Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). It is often classified as a game of skill rather than chance, hence allowed even in regions prohibiting sports betting. Platforms like Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks operate legally in California, allowing players to enjoy Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests.
At NXTbets, we take great pride in being a trusted source for MotoGP data, insights, and picks. We also provide safe gaming resources for DFS participants so they can have a safe and enjoyable experience. Join us as we discuss how to play MotoGP DFS on Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks in California and a few strategies to guarantee success.
How to Register for Underdog Fantasy in California
To enjoy MotoGP DFS, create an account with Underdog Fantasy, known for its user-friendly interface and various DFS contests. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create such an account:
Step 1: Visit the Underdog Fantasy Website
The first step to an exciting MotoGP DFS experience is to visit the Underdog Fantasy website or download its mobile application. Both are well-designed and easy to navigate, saving you time and effort. The home page showcases the featured contests, current promotions, and other exciting features.
Step 2: Create a New Account
This is where you open a new Underdog Fantasy account using the following steps:
Enter a promo code, if any. Check NXTbets for amazing promos and signup bonuses.
Agree to the terms and conditions: The legal age requirement for California DFS participants is 18 years or older.
Note: Underdog Fantasy offerssignup bonuses or promotionsfor new DFS participants. Check the platform’s home page or NXTbets’ website before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Make Your First Deposit
The next step is to fund your account. While Underdog Fantasy does not offer several deposit options, you can make your first deposit through bank transfers, PayPal, or credit/bank cards. Remember, the platform mostly offers a deposit match-up bonus for first-time users, i.e., the more you deposit, the higher your deposit bonus will be. Once you understand the relevant signup bonus, deposit an amount that can help you maximize your rewards.
Step 4: Complete Account Verification
The fourth and last step is to verify your account. Underdog Fantasy requires new members to verify their accounts for security purposes and ensure they comply with legal regulations. The platform may require that you submit proof of identity and residency, such as your proof of address, passport, or government-issued ID. Always provide the required information quickly to secure your deposits and withdrawals.
How to Play MotoGP DFS on Underdog Fantasy
Now that you have an active Underdog Fantasy account, it’s time to enter your first contest. While the process may be simple, you must plan strategically. Here are the applicable steps:
Step 1: Choose a MotoGP Contest
Underdog Fantasy offers three main contests. However, only pick’em contests are available in MotoGP DFS gaming. In this contest, participants predict whether a rider will meet or fail to meet certain limits or achievements during the match or race. It can be easily adapted for MotoGP by targeting metrics such as finishing positions. You predict whether a rider will finish higher or lower than a certain position.
Step 2: Build Your DFS Playslip
A strong DFS lineup will increase your chances of winning DFS contests. For a great lineup:
Study Rider Performance: Analyze rider statistics, including historical success on specific tracks, recent race performance, and team dynamics.
Consider Race Conditions: Weather and track conditions often affect rider performance.
Step 3: Monitor Your Contest Performance
Once you have prepared a lineup and entered into a contest, it’s time to monitor your performance. Fortunately, Underdog Fantasy offers real-time updates on contest standings and rider performance, allowing you to track their progress throughout the event. Monitor factors likely to affect your MotoGP DFS score, such as the laps led, finishing position, and fastest laps.
Note: Underdog Fantasy does not allow you to alter your lineup once the race begins. Therefore, always counter check your picks before submitting them or entering a contest.
Step-by-Step Guide to Playing MotoGP DFS on PrizePicks in California
Like NXTbets, PrizePicks also has competitive MotoGP DFS contests. Follow the steps below to play:
1. Create an Account Using a Valid Email
The first step is to register for PrizePicks as follows:
Click on sign-up and enter relevant details: Tap the sign-up button on the official website or mobile application: it will reveal various fields. Enter a valid email address, username, date of birth, and password.
Enter a Promo Code: Besides the above details, provide a valid promo code when signing up with PrizePicks. Enter “NXT” to qualify for $50 on your first $5 entry.
Confirm if your details are correct and submit them. Providing the right information is crucial for the next step.
2. Complete Identity Verification
Next, confirm you meet PrizePicks’ user requirements and eligibility by verifying your identity. The process below applies:
Provide accurate personal information: Correctly enter the required information in the right fields.
Submit valid legal identification: Upload a qualifying government-issued ID document to confirm the information above.
Contact customer support if you encounter any issues during the ID verification process.
3. Deposit at Least $10 Using Your Preferred Method
Fund your account to activate it and play. Use the steps below:
Tap the deposit button: It is the green ‘+’ symbol next to the account balance (in the top right corner). Alternatively, you can visit the platform’s deposit page.
Select the preferred payment method: Which method suits you? PrizePicks accepts credit/debit cards (American Express, VISA, Discover, and MasterCard), online banking, Venmo, and Apple Pay.
Enter relevant details: Input accurate payment details depending on your chosen method (card number, official mobile number, or online wallet details). Submit them to complete the transaction.
Some payment methods, like debit/credit cards, have instant deposits.
4. Choose MotoGP Contests
You can now officially begin playing MotoGP DFS. For the relevant contest:
Find and select upcoming MotoGP games: Review PrizePicks’ sports offerings and select MotoGP. Next, identify an upcoming game or event that interests you.
Use the search button to save time: If you have a specific player whose performance you would like to predict, use the search bar to find them quickly.
5. Pick 2–6 Rider Stats and Predict Performance
Unlike Underdig Fantasy, a PrizePick contest needs 2-6 picks. The process below applies:
Review and choose applicable stats: Check the available MotoGP rider statistics and select 2-6 options.
Predict performance: Based on updated information, choose whether the riders will exceed or fall below the set thresholds. Click on the three dots next to their projections or visit our MotoGP page for the latest updates, data, and insights.
Like NXTbets, PrizePicks allows you to insure your DFS predictions using its Flex Play mode. It is a safer alternative as the platform pays you even if one or two picks are incorrect. Alternatively, you can choose the Power Play option if you are confident enough. All your picks must be correct to enjoy a Power Play payout.
6. Submit Your Entry and Track Results
Observe DFS deadlines to avoid being locked out. To submit your entry:
Choose the entry fees: PrizePicks has a $1 minimum fee. While keeping within your budget or a predetermined spending limit, select the entry fees, review your potential payout, and make necessary fee adjustments, if any.
Review your selections: Review your selections once more and adjust them based on changing occurrences or relevant updates.
Submit your picks: If you are sure of your picks, enter the MotoGP DFS contest before you run out of time.
Track Results: You can watch the race or chat with other players on the platform’s Discord channel. You can also check your account occasionally for live score updates.
Effective Strategies for MotoGP DFS in California
DFS success requires strategic gameplay. You should analyze rider and track data, examine track conditions, and effectively manage your bankroll, as explained below:
Analyze Rider and Track Data
When building a lineup or entering a contest, you need accurate, in-depth data (for informed decision-making). Therefore:
Research and consider a rider’s performance history when creating a lineup: Your picks should feature consistent performers.
Research the rider’s performance at specific tracks: Some riders perform better in certain circuits or excel in particular weather conditions.
Using data-driven insights can help you make smart decisions.
Focus on Track Conditions
Weather and track conditions significantly influence MotoGP race outcomes, as explained below:
Rainy weather conditions affect grip, favoring riders experienced in competing in wet conditions.
Tracks differ in features and structures: Riders may perform differently in straight or technical tracks as both require varying abilities.
To be safe, check the race-day weather forecasts and adjust your lineup accordingly. Tracking drivers’ past performance records in similar weather conditions may help.
Manage Your Bankroll
Bankroll management is the cornerstone for safe gaming. Therefore:
Set a budget for DFS contests: Your budget should be based on your financial ability and risk tolerance.
Avoid overspending on a single contest or tournament: Set a fixed amount for every competition or tournament (based on your budget) for sustainable gaming.
Effective bankroll management allows you to participate in several contests without risking your entire bankroll on a single contest.
Conclusion
MotoGP DFS offers a legally-acceptable way for California MotoGP fans to enjoy races and events. All you need to do is register with a safe, regulated platform like Underdog DFS or PrizePicks and enter relevant contests based on your preferences. We urge you to research extensively and observe safe gaming practices when engaging in DFS contests. At NXTbets, we promise to furnish you with all the necessary data and insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for expert sports gaming insights, exclusive offers, and legal updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is MotoGP DFS Legal in California?
Yes. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in California, but not gambling or traditional sports betting. DFS operates under a different legal framework, allowing California residents to participate in enjoyable contests.
How Do I Sign Up For Underdog Fantasy in California?
Signing up for Underdog Fantasy is a relaxed process that shouldn’t take much of your time. Just visit the Underdog Fantasy website, register, make your first deposit, and verify your account. Then, you will be ready to go. The signup process won’t take much of your time as the platform has a user-friendly design.
What Deposit Methods Are Available for California Users?
Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks offer secure and easy-to-use deposit methods, i.e., PayPal, bank transfers, and credit/ debit cards.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning MotoGP DFS?
You can improve your chances of winning MotoGP DFS by combining your MotoGP knowledge with analyzing rider and track data, managing your bankroll effectively, and monitoring weather conditions.
Does Underdog Fantasy Offer Promotions for New Users in California?
Yes. Underdog Fantasy offers signup promotions, such as deposit matches, for new users. Ensure you enter relevant promotional codes during registration to qualify for the platform’s generous offers. Additionally, stay put for ongoing promotions and bonuses.
Is There a Mobile App for Underdog Fantasy in California?
Yes. Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks have mobile applications applications for both Android and iOS users. Download the relevant application to register, create lineups, enter contests, and track your DFS performance.
How Do I Withdraw Winnings from Underdog Fantasy?
To withdraw winnings from Underdog Fantasy contests, locate the platform’s Withdrawal section and choose your preferred method. The withdrawal duration differs from one method to the next, so choose PayPal for timely withdrawals.
What Should I Do If I Have Issues with My Account?
You can contact Underdog Fantasy’s customer support team through email or live chat for withdrawal, deposit, and account verification issues. You can also check the FAQ section for common concerns.
MotoGP confirmed its full 2026 testing program, outlining preseason activity, four in-season test days, and the framework for introducing Pirelli as the series’ tire supplier in 2027.
Preseason will begin with a Sepang shakedown (January 29–31), followed by the official Sepang test (February 3–5) and a Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur on February 7. Teams will then run a final two-day pre-race test at Buriram (February 21–22) before the opening round at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand (February 27–Mar 1).
The calendar includes four in-season test days: two official post-race tests using current-season Michelin tyres. The first is scheduled for April 27 at Jerez (after the Spanish GP) and then May 18 at Barcelona (after the Catalan GP), which will also serve as the final official tests for the 1,000cc bikes. Two non-official tests will see Pirelli-run evaluations of the 2027 tire package on the Mondays after the Czech and Austrian GPs, on June 22 and September 21, respectively. The Pirelli sessions are non-official (no live timing) and are intended solely to assess the incoming supplier’s tire package.
MotoGP noted Pirelli first ran MotoGP machinery in a private Misano test in 2025 and highlighted Pirelli’s wider motorsport role as a current F1 supplier and the sole WorldSBK supplier since 2004. The series also confirmed the 2027 preseason will begin on Tuesday after the Valencia GP (November 24), tying next year’s start directly to the 2026 finale.
MotoGP, the world’s leading motorcycle championship, draws fans from all over the world. It features top teams and riders across over twenty Grands Prix every season. To catch up with the live action beyond geographical divides, most fans continue to embrace streaming services and broadcasters that bring the action live on screen. As a MotoGP …
The Grand Prix Commission has banned wildcard entries in the MotoGP class from the 2027 season, removing a development route teams had used to race prototypes and test new materials during Grand Prix weekends. The ban is intended to tighten on-track development pathways and harmonize restrictions across manufacturers, and it carries technical and competitive implications for manufacturers and lower-ranked teams that benefited from the A-D concessions system.
The restriction applies to all manufacturers regardless of concession rank, and the Commission said that from 2027 test riders may race only when replacing injured full-time riders. Wildcards will remain permitted in Moto2 and Moto3. The Commission also ruled that wildcards entered in 2026 may not run 2027-spec 850cc machinery, effective immediately; Ducati is unaffected because it already could not field wildcards under its existing A concession. The decision followed recent wildcard outings, including Augusto Fernández and Lorenzo Savadori at the Spanish Grand Prix, and Yamaha’s late 2025 wildcard program to develop its V4-powered M1, with Fernández debuting that bike at Misano in 2025.
The package included technical, operational and safety tweaks. The tire pressure monitoring system will be retained for 2027, and race-procedure changes increase the warm-up lap countdown after a Start Delayed from a three-minute board to a five-minute board. The Commission approved optional heart-rate monitors for Moto2 and Moto3 and issued clarifications on post-injury testing and IMU electronics homologation. These rulings were adopted in Grand Prix Commission meetings earlier this year; some measures take effect immediately, while others will be implemented before or during the 2027 season.
Marc Márquez crashed three times during the final pre‑season test at Buriram, visiting the medical center after each fall and failing to complete a race simulation. He said a stomach bug left him tired and briefly lacking concentration, and he acknowledged that a prior shoulder injury had not recovered as well as expected — some outlets describe that damage as a coracoid fracture with right‑shoulder ligament injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the final four rounds of 2025, while others refer to a broken collarbone.
Despite the setbacks, Márquez posted the third‑fastest time at Buriram overall; his Sepang outing before Buriram was described as broadly successful, but he was unable to reproduce a full race run in Thailand. Teammates Alex Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia completed stronger race‑simulation laps in testing; Bagnaia posted the fourth‑fastest time at Buriram and abandoned a final‑day simulation after a technical issue.
Reactions were mixed: Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi said the crashes should not influence Márquez’s performance at the Thai GP and that Ducati expects him to be a championship contender from the first race. Stefan Bradl framed the incidents as part of Márquez’s process of relearning his limits and suggested the rider could be “very dangerous” once he rediscovers them. By contrast, Ducati adviser Peter Bom called the first crash “really, really silly,” said Márquez no longer bounces back as he used to and is more vulnerable with a shoulder that has not fully recovered, warning there is a serious chance he might not dominate or win the 2026 title despite remaining among the pre‑race favourites. The converging facts — three crashes with medical checks after each, illness and lingering injury concerns — leave uncertainty over how quickly Márquez can rebuild fitness and confidence ahead of the opening rounds.
How to Play MotoGP DFS in California
California is among the few states in the United States yet to legalize gambling. However, if you are a motorsports enthusiast in California looking for a better way to engage with MotoGP, we recommend Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). It is often classified as a game of skill rather than chance, hence allowed even in regions prohibiting sports betting. Platforms like Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks operate legally in California, allowing players to enjoy Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests.
At NXTbets, we take great pride in being a trusted source for MotoGP data, insights, and picks. We also provide safe gaming resources for DFS participants so they can have a safe and enjoyable experience. Join us as we discuss how to play MotoGP DFS on Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks in California and a few strategies to guarantee success.
How to Register for Underdog Fantasy in California
To enjoy MotoGP DFS, create an account with Underdog Fantasy, known for its user-friendly interface and various DFS contests. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create such an account:
Step 1: Visit the Underdog Fantasy Website
The first step to an exciting MotoGP DFS experience is to visit the Underdog Fantasy website or download its mobile application. Both are well-designed and easy to navigate, saving you time and effort. The home page showcases the featured contests, current promotions, and other exciting features.
Step 2: Create a New Account
This is where you open a new Underdog Fantasy account using the following steps:
Note: Underdog Fantasy offers signup bonuses or promotions for new DFS participants. Check the platform’s home page or NXTbets’ website before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Make Your First Deposit
The next step is to fund your account. While Underdog Fantasy does not offer several deposit options, you can make your first deposit through bank transfers, PayPal, or credit/bank cards. Remember, the platform mostly offers a deposit match-up bonus for first-time users, i.e., the more you deposit, the higher your deposit bonus will be. Once you understand the relevant signup bonus, deposit an amount that can help you maximize your rewards.
Step 4: Complete Account Verification
The fourth and last step is to verify your account. Underdog Fantasy requires new members to verify their accounts for security purposes and ensure they comply with legal regulations. The platform may require that you submit proof of identity and residency, such as your proof of address, passport, or government-issued ID. Always provide the required information quickly to secure your deposits and withdrawals.
How to Play MotoGP DFS on Underdog Fantasy
Now that you have an active Underdog Fantasy account, it’s time to enter your first contest. While the process may be simple, you must plan strategically. Here are the applicable steps:
Step 1: Choose a MotoGP Contest
Underdog Fantasy offers three main contests. However, only pick’em contests are available in MotoGP DFS gaming. In this contest, participants predict whether a rider will meet or fail to meet certain limits or achievements during the match or race. It can be easily adapted for MotoGP by targeting metrics such as finishing positions. You predict whether a rider will finish higher or lower than a certain position.
Step 2: Build Your DFS Playslip
A strong DFS lineup will increase your chances of winning DFS contests. For a great lineup:
Step 3: Monitor Your Contest Performance
Once you have prepared a lineup and entered into a contest, it’s time to monitor your performance. Fortunately, Underdog Fantasy offers real-time updates on contest standings and rider performance, allowing you to track their progress throughout the event. Monitor factors likely to affect your MotoGP DFS score, such as the laps led, finishing position, and fastest laps.
Note: Underdog Fantasy does not allow you to alter your lineup once the race begins. Therefore, always counter check your picks before submitting them or entering a contest.
Step-by-Step Guide to Playing MotoGP DFS on PrizePicks in California
Like NXTbets, PrizePicks also has competitive MotoGP DFS contests. Follow the steps below to play:
1. Create an Account Using a Valid Email
The first step is to register for PrizePicks as follows:
Confirm if your details are correct and submit them. Providing the right information is crucial for the next step.
2. Complete Identity Verification
Next, confirm you meet PrizePicks’ user requirements and eligibility by verifying your identity. The process below applies:
Contact customer support if you encounter any issues during the ID verification process.
3. Deposit at Least $10 Using Your Preferred Method
Fund your account to activate it and play. Use the steps below:
Some payment methods, like debit/credit cards, have instant deposits.
4. Choose MotoGP Contests
You can now officially begin playing MotoGP DFS. For the relevant contest:
5. Pick 2–6 Rider Stats and Predict Performance
Unlike Underdig Fantasy, a PrizePick contest needs 2-6 picks. The process below applies:
Like NXTbets, PrizePicks allows you to insure your DFS predictions using its Flex Play mode. It is a safer alternative as the platform pays you even if one or two picks are incorrect. Alternatively, you can choose the Power Play option if you are confident enough. All your picks must be correct to enjoy a Power Play payout.
6. Submit Your Entry and Track Results
Observe DFS deadlines to avoid being locked out. To submit your entry:
Effective Strategies for MotoGP DFS in California
DFS success requires strategic gameplay. You should analyze rider and track data, examine track conditions, and effectively manage your bankroll, as explained below:
Analyze Rider and Track Data
When building a lineup or entering a contest, you need accurate, in-depth data (for informed decision-making). Therefore:
Using data-driven insights can help you make smart decisions.
Focus on Track Conditions
Weather and track conditions significantly influence MotoGP race outcomes, as explained below:
To be safe, check the race-day weather forecasts and adjust your lineup accordingly. Tracking drivers’ past performance records in similar weather conditions may help.
Manage Your Bankroll
Bankroll management is the cornerstone for safe gaming. Therefore:
Effective bankroll management allows you to participate in several contests without risking your entire bankroll on a single contest.
Conclusion
MotoGP DFS offers a legally-acceptable way for California MotoGP fans to enjoy races and events. All you need to do is register with a safe, regulated platform like Underdog DFS or PrizePicks and enter relevant contests based on your preferences. We urge you to research extensively and observe safe gaming practices when engaging in DFS contests. At NXTbets, we promise to furnish you with all the necessary data and insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for expert sports gaming insights, exclusive offers, and legal updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in California, but not gambling or traditional sports betting. DFS operates under a different legal framework, allowing California residents to participate in enjoyable contests.
Signing up for Underdog Fantasy is a relaxed process that shouldn’t take much of your time. Just visit the Underdog Fantasy website, register, make your first deposit, and verify your account. Then, you will be ready to go. The signup process won’t take much of your time as the platform has a user-friendly design.
Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks offer secure and easy-to-use deposit methods, i.e., PayPal, bank transfers, and credit/ debit cards.
You can improve your chances of winning MotoGP DFS by combining your MotoGP knowledge with analyzing rider and track data, managing your bankroll effectively, and monitoring weather conditions.
Yes. Underdog Fantasy offers signup promotions, such as deposit matches, for new users. Ensure you enter relevant promotional codes during registration to qualify for the platform’s generous offers. Additionally, stay put for ongoing promotions and bonuses.
Yes. Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks have mobile applications applications for both Android and iOS users. Download the relevant application to register, create lineups, enter contests, and track your DFS performance.
To withdraw winnings from Underdog Fantasy contests, locate the platform’s Withdrawal section and choose your preferred method. The withdrawal duration differs from one method to the next, so choose PayPal for timely withdrawals.
You can contact Underdog Fantasy’s customer support team through email or live chat for withdrawal, deposit, and account verification issues. You can also check the FAQ section for common concerns.
Related Posts
MotoGP Confirms 2026 Test Slate with Pirelli Trials
MotoGP confirmed its full 2026 testing program, outlining preseason activity, four in-season test days, and the framework for introducing Pirelli as the series’ tire supplier in 2027.
Preseason will begin with a Sepang shakedown (January 29–31), followed by the official Sepang test (February 3–5) and a Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur on February 7. Teams will then run a final two-day pre-race test at Buriram (February 21–22) before the opening round at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand (February 27–Mar 1).
The calendar includes four in-season test days: two official post-race tests using current-season Michelin tyres. The first is scheduled for April 27 at Jerez (after the Spanish GP) and then May 18 at Barcelona (after the Catalan GP), which will also serve as the final official tests for the 1,000cc bikes. Two non-official tests will see Pirelli-run evaluations of the 2027 tire package on the Mondays after the Czech and Austrian GPs, on June 22 and September 21, respectively. The Pirelli sessions are non-official (no live timing) and are intended solely to assess the incoming supplier’s tire package.
MotoGP noted Pirelli first ran MotoGP machinery in a private Misano test in 2025 and highlighted Pirelli’s wider motorsport role as a current F1 supplier and the sole WorldSBK supplier since 2004. The series also confirmed the 2027 preseason will begin on Tuesday after the Valencia GP (November 24), tying next year’s start directly to the 2026 finale.
Where to Watch MotoGP
MotoGP, the world’s leading motorcycle championship, draws fans from all over the world. It features top teams and riders across over twenty Grands Prix every season. To catch up with the live action beyond geographical divides, most fans continue to embrace streaming services and broadcasters that bring the action live on screen. As a MotoGP …
Grand Prix Commission bans MotoGP wildcards from 2027
The Grand Prix Commission has banned wildcard entries in the MotoGP class from the 2027 season, removing a development route teams had used to race prototypes and test new materials during Grand Prix weekends. The ban is intended to tighten on-track development pathways and harmonize restrictions across manufacturers, and it carries technical and competitive implications for manufacturers and lower-ranked teams that benefited from the A-D concessions system.
The restriction applies to all manufacturers regardless of concession rank, and the Commission said that from 2027 test riders may race only when replacing injured full-time riders. Wildcards will remain permitted in Moto2 and Moto3. The Commission also ruled that wildcards entered in 2026 may not run 2027-spec 850cc machinery, effective immediately; Ducati is unaffected because it already could not field wildcards under its existing A concession. The decision followed recent wildcard outings, including Augusto Fernández and Lorenzo Savadori at the Spanish Grand Prix, and Yamaha’s late 2025 wildcard program to develop its V4-powered M1, with Fernández debuting that bike at Misano in 2025.
The package included technical, operational and safety tweaks. The tire pressure monitoring system will be retained for 2027, and race-procedure changes increase the warm-up lap countdown after a Start Delayed from a three-minute board to a five-minute board. The Commission approved optional heart-rate monitors for Moto2 and Moto3 and issued clarifications on post-injury testing and IMU electronics homologation. These rulings were adopted in Grand Prix Commission meetings earlier this year; some measures take effect immediately, while others will be implemented before or during the 2027 season.
Crashes, illness and shoulder surgery cloud Márquez’s 2026
Marc Márquez crashed three times during the final pre‑season test at Buriram, visiting the medical center after each fall and failing to complete a race simulation. He said a stomach bug left him tired and briefly lacking concentration, and he acknowledged that a prior shoulder injury had not recovered as well as expected — some outlets describe that damage as a coracoid fracture with right‑shoulder ligament injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the final four rounds of 2025, while others refer to a broken collarbone.
Despite the setbacks, Márquez posted the third‑fastest time at Buriram overall; his Sepang outing before Buriram was described as broadly successful, but he was unable to reproduce a full race run in Thailand. Teammates Alex Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia completed stronger race‑simulation laps in testing; Bagnaia posted the fourth‑fastest time at Buriram and abandoned a final‑day simulation after a technical issue.
Reactions were mixed: Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi said the crashes should not influence Márquez’s performance at the Thai GP and that Ducati expects him to be a championship contender from the first race. Stefan Bradl framed the incidents as part of Márquez’s process of relearning his limits and suggested the rider could be “very dangerous” once he rediscovers them. By contrast, Ducati adviser Peter Bom called the first crash “really, really silly,” said Márquez no longer bounces back as he used to and is more vulnerable with a shoulder that has not fully recovered, warning there is a serious chance he might not dominate or win the 2026 title despite remaining among the pre‑race favourites. The converging facts — three crashes with medical checks after each, illness and lingering injury concerns — leave uncertainty over how quickly Márquez can rebuild fitness and confidence ahead of the opening rounds.