When the lights go out at the circuit, MotoGP riders usually have two trusty machines in the garage. But a plan to change that to just one bike for the 2027 season has sparked a cold war among manufacturers. Ducati and Aprilia are leading the charge to cut down, while Honda and KTM are firmly against it.
The proposal originated from Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing's boss, who wanted to slash team operating costs. Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna quickly agreed. The logic is simple: one bike means fewer spare parts, fewer crew members, and less logistics. But in the paddock, not everyone sees it the same way.
Tensions peaked during discussions at Balaton Park and Assen. KTM flip-flopped a couple of times, while Honda chose to stick with two bikes. This forced MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta to step in and hold separate meetings with all five manufacturers. The result: the two-bike rule stays for 2027.
Interestingly, criticism also came from within the Ducati camp. Francesco Bagnaia firmly rejected the idea of a single bike. According to him, one bike would be a disaster during practice and qualifying. If a crash happens, a rider can't just hop back on a spare bike. They'd have to wait for repairs, losing precious track time.
Pecco also highlighted the risks in flag-to-flag races. When weather changes, riders typically switch bikes with appropriate tires. With just one bike, teams would have to change tires and setup on the same machine, taking much longer. It's not just about convenience; it's about safety and race strategy.
Behind the debate lies a deeper technical factor. MotoGP 2027 will introduce 850cc engines, and Ducati and Aprilia are already ahead with their prototypes. Other manufacturers are still catching up. With two bikes, teams can compare different setups and technical solutions in parallel, which is crucial during a regulation transition.
The decision to keep two bikes shows how hard it is to cut costs in MotoGP when five manufacturers' interests collide. This discussion may not be over; with the 850cc era coming, the political and technical battles in the paddock are expected to heat up even more.
Read Also
MotoGP 2027: hanya tiga pembalap yang sudah pasti, Quartararo dikabarkan ke Honda, Marquez dekat perpanjangan kontrak Ducati. Simak bursa pembalap terbaru!
Simak daftar lengkap pembalap MotoGP 2027 yang sudah dikonfirmasi tim. Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, Jorge Martin, dan lainnya. Update terkini dari paddock.
Luca Marini usul kalender MotoGP dipadatkan untuk jeda musim dingin lebih panjang, tanpa mengurangi jumlah balapan. Simak alasannya soal pemulihan dan persiapan fisik.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!