MotoGP Brazil GP: Riders Hit by Track Debris in ‘Unacceptable’ Conditions

Goiania, Brazil – MotoGP’s return to Brazil was marred by significant safety concerns and a shortened race distance on Sunday, as riders reported being struck by disintegrating asphalt during the Grand Prix at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia. The race was officially reduced by eight laps due to “track degradation,” a decision that followed a sinkhole disruption during Saturday’s sprint qualifying.

Yamaha rider Álex Rins sustained a finger injury after being hit by a piece of the deteriorating track surface on the opening lap. “What I felt is a really, really low grip,” Rins told media, including Motorsport.com. “I experience it’s due to the Moto2 race, about the Moto2 rubber. I didn’t see any piece of tarmac missing on the track. But what is true is that one piece of tarmac hits my finger. You can see.” Speaking to Spanish broadcaster DAZN, Rins added, “Ask my finger if you could feel the stones flying up in turns 11 and 12 – one hit me. It happened at the start of the race. It didn’t stop me from going faster, but it bothered me because I brake with that finger.”

Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez echoed Rins’s concerns, describing the conditions as “unacceptable.” “Between corners 10, 11, all the asphalt was going out, with all the stones, all this,” Marquez stated. “So, quite unacceptable the conditions that we have today, honestly speaking. But it’s like it is, we raced and it was a great show.” Marquez also revealed he attempted to delay the race start after learning of the track issues. “There were four minutes left before the warm-up lap, and that’s when they told me about the change. We didn’t have any information,” he said. “I told Michele Masini to ask for a delayed start so we could check the electronics and tyres, but they decided it wasn’t worth it.”

Michelin, MotoGP’s official tyre supplier, attributed the track deterioration to the combined effects of the Moto2 and Moto3 races prior to the Grand Prix, noting that the surface was “breaking down and degrading” particularly at Turn 11. The issues extended beyond the asphalt itself, with Marquez describing the conditions as feeling “more like motocross than a speed race” due to the stones being kicked up by other riders.

Ducati rider Marc Marquez also experienced difficulties due to the track conditions, losing third place to Fabio di Giannantonio after running wide at Turn 11. As of Sunday evening, neither the championship organizers nor the FIM had provided a detailed explanation for the decision to shorten the race distance, leaving riders and teams awaiting further clarification.