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/1546141
ALONSO, MOREIRA VYING FOR FACTORY HONDA SEAT David Alonso may have signed for Honda in 2027 in the belief he'd be in the factory team. But that is by no means a given with HRC also considering Diogo Moreira for the seat. Cycle News understands Honda has been less than im- pressed with Alonso's underwhelm- ing Moto2 title challenge in 2026. Moreira, on the other hand, has enjoyed a steady, considered rookie campaign in LCR colors. HRC wants to see how the Colombian deals with this pressure before making its decision. "We are still waiting," confirmed Team Manager Alberto Puig on the situation. It's believed a decision will be taken before the Austrian Grand Prix in September. If Alonso "only" receives a seat at LCR, he would essentially be there for two years, as Moreira is a simi- lar age. STEINER ON VINALES SITUATION Maverick Vinales was absent from Silverstone as he recovers from the left-shoulder issues that have plagued the last 13 months of his life, with test rider Pol Espargaro stepping in. It was reported KTM was on the cusp of replacing Vina- les for the rest of the season after a heated few months during which the Spaniard has repeatedly criti- cized the factory's management for how they handled his contract negotiations. However, Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner clarified his rider is missing because of extensive tests at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center, which showed the left shoulder is still far Briefly... ROUND 12 / AUGUST 7-9, 2026 SILVERSTONE / TOWCESTER, UNITED KINGDOM ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P60 HRC Castrol), Alex Rins (Mon- ster Energy Yamaha), Enea Bas- tianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Iker Lecuona (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), Cal Crutchlow (Castrol Honda LCR) and Fran- cesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) all crashed before halfway. Ogura's race ended on lap nine when he fell at turn 16, costing him crucial champion- ship points. Martin moved past Bezzecchi for second, while Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) briefly climbed to third before a mistake at turn one dropped him down the order. He recovered to fourth, ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Fernandez remained comfort - ably in control, although Martin sparks flying everywhere through turn one. Fernan - dez became the 12th dif- ferent winner in the last 12 British Grands Prix and the seventh different winner of the 2026 season. Behind him, Bezzecchi initially held second while Martin battled with Ogura. Marc Marquez capitalized to move into third, although Martin soon reclaimed the position. Fernandez was already two seconds clear by lap three and continued to build his advantage. The race quickly became attritional. Joan Mir (Honda Marc Marquez knew Silverstone would be a struggle, but even he was surprised to take just a ninth- and seventh-place finish.