- A MotoGP road race is set to take place in Adelaide from 2027
- Phillip Island loses its place on the calendar after almost 30 years
- Acosta sees Ducati and Aprilia clearly ahead ahead of the 2026 season opener
MotoGP is facing a remarkable change of direction. Road races, which rights holder Dorna Sports had categorically rejected for years, are now set to become part of the World Championship calendar. At the same time, Phillip Island, a race track that has been on the program continuously since 1997, is losing its place. This development was the subject of much discussion at the pre-season test in Buriram, Thailand, and KTM rider Pedro Acosta had some clear words to say about it.
Street racing in MotoGP: From taboo to future plan
The news that a city race is planned in Adelaide, Australia, starting in 2027 came as a surprise to many observers. The MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, as the rights holder has been called since its takeover by Liberty Media, had previously always been critical of MotoGP races on public roads. Within a very short time, however, there seems to have been a change of heart.
Pedro Acosta initially reacted diplomatically to the plans: “A road race sounds okay at first.” But then the Spaniard became more explicit and addressed what others in the paddock are also concerned about. He likes the Isle of Man, he explained, but it’s strange. Many people used to hate this type of championship.
Acosta is alluding to a fundamental contradiction here. MotoGP and its former rights holder Dorna Sports had always kept their distance from road races such as the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man. The TT was considered too dangerous, too uncontrollable, too far removed from modern circuit racing. Against this backdrop, the fact that a street circuit of all things is now set to find its way onto the calendar seems like a remarkable change of heart. According to Acosta, he has not yet received any details about the specific plans for Adelaide.
Phillip Island on the brink: Acosta mourns the loss of a classic
The KTM factory rider was much more emotional when talking about the impending loss of Phillip Island. The Australian race track could lose its place on the calendar after a planned move to Melbourne officially fell through. Acosta finds this hard to understand: “It’s strange. I think we should have two classics in a row. At the end of the day, Phillip Island is the only legendary track still on the calendar. From the really old days. It’s sad to see that it could be dropped from the calendar.”
The figures underline the historic significance of the track. With the exception of the pandemic-related break, the Motorcycle World Championship has been held continuously at Phillip Island since 1997, and the track layout has remained virtually unchanged since 1956. This makes the circuit one of the few remaining original tracks on the calendar. Although the TT Circuit in Assen is considered the oldest Grand Prix to have been held almost continuously, the track layout there has been changed several times over the decades.
Buriram test: Acosta takes a sober look at the balance of power
In addition to the calendar discussion, Acosta is also focusing on his sporting preparations in Buriram. The two-day test is the last opportunity before the season opener, where the first World Championship points will be awarded in a week’s time. Thailand is a difficult track for KTM, Acosta explained. Last year, all four KTM riders had problems with rear tire management, and similar difficulties could recur.
At the same time, the Spaniard believes he is in a better position than he was twelve months ago. The team has a functioning overall package, and he can concentrate fully on being fast in the test and creating a good basis for tire management in the race.
However, this does little to change the overall assessment of the balance of power. Acosta took a sober view of the situation and explained that Ducati and Aprilia are currently leading the championship. Jorge Martin must also be included in this assessment, as Aprilia seems to have taken a step forward with its riders, and Ducati is even stronger than before. The test data supports this assessment: in the pre-season tests in Sepang, five Ducatis were in the top six of the combined times list, with Fermin Aldeguer missing due to injury.
The goal for the start of the season is correspondingly pragmatic. Acosta said that they have to remain realistic and try to survive in order to arrive in good shape at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Tradition versus commerce: MotoGP at a crossroads
The debate surrounding road racing and the loss of traditional tracks is likely to continue to accompany MotoGP for some time to come. With Liberty Media as the new owner, the winds of change are blowing, and the renaming of Dorna to MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group already points in that direction. For riders like Pedro Acosta, who look back on the history of the sport with respect, the balancing act between tradition and commercial realignment remains a challenge. Whether Adelaide will actually become a successful model from 2027 onwards and whether Phillip Island will finally disappear from the calendar will become clear in the coming months.
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