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/1547519
ROUND 20 / NOVEMBER 6-8, 2026 LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT / DOHA, QATAR P78 DIXON REPLACES MIR Joan Mir was once again ab- sent for the factory Honda team after his worrying vision issues returned in Malaysia, which forced him to retire. In his place was Honda's WorldSBK star Jake Dixon, making his first MotoGP appearance since Aragon, 2021. The Briton's adaptation is being helped along by three-time Mo- toGP race winner Cal Crutchlow, who also traveled to Qatar in case Luca Marini couldn't ride due to ongoing viral issues. "Crutchlow's been a huge pain in my arse," smiled Dixon. "But he has also been a huge help, giving me great insight and being very clear—it's helpful to have someone with his experience in this situation. I absolutely love him, though. He's such a charac- ter, and he's great to have in my corner this weekend." MARTIN'S RECOVERY PICKS UP Jorge Martin looked like a dif- ferent rider from the one who withdrew from the Malaysian Grand Prix six days ago. The Spaniard is determined to score the eight points necessary to take the championship fight to the Portuguese GP despite riding with a broken bone in his right wrist. "I'm very proud of my job today," he said after ending Friday in a heroic seventh. "I wish I had this feeling at Malaysia, honestly, because I'm able to race. I feel much better. I can make laps together; I can be competitive. I lost all my feeling after that crash in Australia, and every lap I'm try- ing to build that feeling again. So Briefly... ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Broken wrist or not, Martin was his usual tough-as-teak self in Qatar, finishing on the rostrum in the Sprint. Diogo Moreira (11) had to retire from the Sunday GP with his right arm swollen up. Iker Lecuona (27) had another impressive ride, this time to 10th on Sunday to make it a double top 10 for the weekend. Brad Binder (33) had to retire on Sunday with a broken gearbox.