Motorsport preview January 2026

andreschlieker0
3 days ago
2 min read

🏁 Rally Dakar 2026 — Mid-Rally Update

The 2026 Rally Dakar continues to unfold as one of the toughest editions in recent memory, with fierce competition and shifting fortunes across both cars and bikes.

Cars Classification

Five-time Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia Sandriders) currently holds the overall lead heading into the second week of the rally, showing experience and resilience over the punishing Saudi terrain.
Swedish ace Mattias Ekström has taken multiple stage victories, keeping the pressure on his rivals and climbing the standings.
South African Henk Lategan has remained competitive but has slipped slightly after late-stage issues.

Motorcycle Category

Australian rider Daniel Sanders (KTM) retains the lead in the bikes classification, with American Ricky Brabec (Honda) close behind.
Luciano Benavides rounds out the podium contenders, with navigation and penalties making every day unpredictable.

After a tough Marathon Stage and a rest day, the rally now heads deeper into the deserts, with competitors battling both navigation and fatigue as they push toward the finish in Yanbu.

🏍️ MotoGP 2026 — Preview & What’s New

While the new MotoGP season hasn’t started yet, anticipation continues to build across the paddock.

Season Structure & Calendar

The 2026 MotoGP calendar is set to feature 22 Grands Prix across five continents, running from February through November — an expansive global tour that keeps riders busy and fans enthralled.
Major team presentations and launch events are scheduled for January–February, including official rider unveilings and technical first looks at the new season’s machines.

Off-Season Buzz & Build-Up

Testing sessions are ramping up, and teams are finalizing lineups and crew chief pairings ahead of pre-season shakedowns.
Expanding fan engagement efforts and record attendance figures from 2025 suggest MotoGP’s growth trajectory is strong going into 2026, with the season opener likely to kick off in Buriram, Thailand at the end of February.

Storylines to Watch

Riders switching teams, fresh crew chief combinations, and rookies making their mark — including the first Brazilian MotoGP competitor joining LCR Honda — add extra spice to what promises to be a highly competitive season.
Off-track developments like support series announcements and growing global fan engagement point to MotoGP’s expanding footprint in the world of motorsport.