Liberty Media are considering new ways to raise MotoGP’s profile around the world, and one of their latest ideas involves having show bikes available for riders at every race weekend.
Since taking over MotoGP last year, the American media company has been aiming to replicate the success they had with Formula 1. However, some of their ideas to grow the sport’s audience have sparked debate among fans and insiders alike.
In 2027, Phillip Island will no longer be on the calendar as Liberty looks into introducing street circuits. They’re also exploring ways to enhance the fan experience at races, which could include additional events over race weekends.
MotoGP manufacturers and teams are currently in talks with Dorna – now known as MotoGP Sports Entertainment – about a new F1-style Concorde Agreement. The aim is to finalise a deal before 2027, which has led to delays in rider signings across the paddock.
Liberty Media wanted MotoGP team radio access like F1
The introduction of live radio access between drivers and teams in Formula 1 added another layer of drama for fans watching from home. That addition might soon find its way into MotoGP under Liberty Media’s plans.
There is already some pushback from within the paddock about this idea. Back when riders were first fitted with two-way radios under Dorna’s rule, many expressed concerns about the distractions it could cause during races.
Liberty Media want MotoGP riders to have show bikes for events during race weekends
Speaking on the Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast, Oxley explains that the sport’s owners are hoping to host events during Grand Prix weekends, similar to how the 2026 season launch was held in Kuala Lumpur.
He said: “I heard, for example, Liberty/MotoGP Sports Entertainment want every team to have a running show bike for each rider”.
“Which would require every team so they can have, let’s say, it’s the Silverstone Grand Prix, and they can have an event in London on the Wednesday where they close off part of London”.
“And they have maybe test riders or whatever, maybe Johann Zarco doing wheelies up and down the road on his uh Castrol Honda and Miller doing stoppies on his Pramac Yamaha”.
“So they want a running show bike for every rider. That’s a lot of money, because it’s not only in the motorbikes. There’ll be last year’s bikes, of course, but you need a crew to look after them”.
“You don’t just press the starter button. There’s a considerable cost attached to running that isn’t there, so it’s these kind of things that they’re negotiating on.”
What changes are MotoGP insiders hoping Liberty Media will bring?
A lot of people within the MotoGP community are hoping Liberty Media can do for MotoGP what it did for F1, helping the sport grow and find new fans around the world.
Mick Doohan is one of those voices. He’s talked about wanting to see MotoGP regain its past popularity, especially in countries like the UK, where interest has faded a bit over recent years.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, on the other hand, would like to see riders become bigger personalities. The rise in popularity of F1 drivers, thanks to shows like Drive to Survive, has made a real difference in how fans connect with them.
There are also calls from within teams for tweaks to how race weekends are structured. Davide Brivio has suggested having Sprint qualifying on Fridays, followed by a separate session dedicated to setting the grid for the main race.
Read more:
