Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1544037
ROUND 2 / MARCH 20-22, 2026 AUTODROMO INTERNACIONAL DE GOIANIA – AYRTON SENNA / GOIANIA, BRAZIL ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P82 of the race, charging from ninth to fifth on the opening lap. Marc Marquez wasted little time moving into second on lap two, but the complexion of the race shifted on lap six when Di Giannantonio launched an aggressive move up the inside of the number 93. Both riders ran wide, opening the door for Martin to sweep past into sec - tires while those at the rear did not have the time. After struggling off the line in Saturday's Sprint, Bezzecchi nailed the start on Sunday to grab the holeshot, with Di Gi - annantonio slotting into second from pole and Marc Marquez in third. Jorge Martin held fourth in the early stages, while Acosta made one of the best launches Sunday MotoGP Confusion reigned on Sunday at the start when it was revealed (with four minutes to go) that the race distance would be re - duced from 31 laps to 23 due to the track breaking up in turns 10 and 11. The change was relayed to the grid starting from the front backward, meaning riders at the front were able to change ALDEGUER SET FOR VR46 SWITCH Fermin Aldeguer made his 2026 debut on Friday after recovering from a broken left femur sustained in early January. And, according to Spanish publication AS, he will switch from the Gresini team to VR46 Ducati in 2027. Friday was only the third time Aldeguer had rid- den a bike in 2026. "The first one was 8th of January when I got the injury. And then last week [was the sec- ond]." It was also the first occasion he had sat aboard a MotoGP machine since last November. Aldeguer had an option to extend his stay with Ducati for two more Briefly... years. Despite interest from other manufacturers, he opted to stay with the Bologna factory and will move to its number two team. Gresini has yet to agree to a deal to stay with Ducati beyond this year. Asked about the move for Aldeguer, VR46 Team Man- ager Pablo Nieto said, "He can be one of the choices we have for the future. Why not?" GOIANIA GETS RIDERS' APPROVAL Coming in at 2.3 miles, the Autodromo Internacional de Goiania – Ayrton Senna is the second shortest on the calendar, behind the Sachsenring. The layout quickly gained the approval of the MotoGP contingent. Bezzecchi kept everyone controlled even when Martin (89) seemed to be chipping away at his lead.