Marc Marquez has praised the Goiania circuit ahead of MotoGP’s long-awaited return, noting that little has changed since Kevin Schwantz claimed victory there in 1989.
However, the build-up hasn’t been without its issues. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of the paddock and at least two corners, leading one team manager to describe the conditions as ‘worrying’.
On top of weather concerns, there have also been questions raised about safety, particularly around turn one, where runoff is limited. Even so, Marquez was impressed when he got his first look at the track in person.
Marquez impressed by Goiania Circuit ahead of MotoGP return
Riders arrived in hot and dry weather on Thursday, but rain is expected to play a role throughout the weekend. The forecast shows potential rain on all three days, though Sunday has the lowest chance.
While Marquez doesn’t expect the same level of grip found on European tracks, he believes that once the bikes have cleared up the surface, it will start to feel familiar. To help riders adjust, both practice sessions have been extended by 15 minutes.
Lap times are projected to be around 1:15 per lap, faster than usual for this circuit. That extra pace should help riders settle in before tackling Sunday’s 31-lap race – the longest MotoGP race since 2013 by lap count.
“The track looks beautiful, it looks good,” said Marquez, via AS. “It’s true that perhaps the main problem of the weekend will be those storms.
“There might be some problems. But well, they’ll come. For now, it’s sunny, the weather is good, and that’s where we have to adapt to the track as quickly as possible to get everything ready.
“That doesn’t worry me because it’s like when we first arrived in Indonesia or Argentina. These are new asphalts, so the surface won’t be like those in Europe or circuits with more years in the world championship.
“But I’m convinced that with all the laps we can do here, since it’s a short circuit and the practice sessions are longer, it will gradually clean up and by the end of the weekend the grip will be perfectly normal.”
Marc Marquez is feeling stronger ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix
Marquez is chasing a win at a 23rd different MotoGP venue, which would match Valentino Rossi and leave him just one short of Mick Doohan’s record. He has victories at Austin (2013), Termas de Rio Hondo (2014), Buriram (2018), and Balaton Park (2025), though he admits that earlier in his career, it was “recklessness” that played a role in those early wins.
Even within Ducati, there are concerns about how well the Goiania layout will suit Marquez. The opening four corners all bend to the right, which has become a trouble spot for him following multiple arm surgeries.
“It has always been one of my strengths to arrive at a new circuit, given my riding style, throughout my career,” he said. “It’s true that when I was 20, it was even more of a strength than now, due to that touch of recklessness that a young rider has.
“But we’ll try to manage it as best we can, but I do have a feeling it will be a weekend where the Aprilia, Acosta, and many Ducatis will be at the front.
“I’d prefer that sequence of long corners to be left-handers, but oh well, we have to adapt and start learning the lines. It will be a demanding circuit, especially because of these long right-hand corners, in terms of the rear tyre.
“That’s why Michelin has also brought the casings from Thailand and Austria, which are harder casings. We’ll try to adapt as best we can, and physically I’m in better shape than I was in Thailand.”
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