Breaking: MotoGP Riders Sound Alarm Over 2025 Schedule as Calendar Hits New High

Rider voices have grown louder amid MotoGP’s 2025 calendar, which set a new benchmark for the sport with a record 22 grands prix. The expanded season, highlighted by a fresh Hungarian venue and the return of races in the Czech Republic and Argentina, has sparked concerns about rider fatigue and the grueling travel demands that come with it.

Since 2023, sprint races have been part of virtually every weekend. This year’s campaign clocked in at 44 races when combining customary races and sprints, a stark shift from the days when the calendar hovered under 20 events annually. The shift has left manny pilots questioning whether the increased pace is sustainable for long-term performance and health.

In Valencia, Fabio Di Giannantonio spoke plainly about the toll: the 44-race schedule, along with extensive travel days, leaves little room for focused training. “Too many races.Too many traveling days. It’s too demanding for the body,” he said, noting that most serious conditioning takes place in a compressed January window, after which maintaining peak form becomes a daily challenge through the season.

Johann Zarco echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for more recuperation during the off-season to return with fresh energy. “We feel the weight of 22 races,” he said, adding that a winter reboot is essential to arrive at the start of the next season with energy at 70-80% rather than a full 100%.

Marco Bezzecchi, who closed the 2025 season with back-to-back wins, acknowledged the calendar’s demands but suggested outcomes shape riders’ views of the schedule. “If you’re riding well, the pace feels faster and the season flies by,” Bezzecchi observed.He noted that 22MotoGP rounds plus 44 sprint events make the journey physically and mentally strenuous, though team synergy can alter the perception of the load.

Francesco Bagnaia, representing ducati, welcomed the global expansion beyond Europe but admitted that the year’s end felt unnecessarily extended. He said the team is prepared for a diverse calendar and values the experience of racing abroad, even while acknowledging that the length of the season coudl have been shorter.

Pedro Acosta, a standout KTM rider, indicated that the season’s breadth largely works for maintaining continuity and momentum, but injuries are now more consequential than in the past. He cautioned that an injury could lead to a longer absence in a season already stacked with races.

What’s driving the conversation

Several riders pointed to the strategic push to explore new markets in Asia as a major driver of the calendar’s expansion.The shift mirrors approaches seen in other global motorsports, where growth in non-traditional venues is viewed as essential for long-term viability. While the broader exposure is lauded, riders stress the need for balance to ensure peak performance is attainable over a longer season.

Evergreen takeaways for riders and teams

Beyond the specifics of 2025, the debate centers on finding a balance between growth and athlete welfare. Maintaining form over a long season requires structured rest, targeted conditioning blocks, and a calendar that allows for recovery after intense blocks of races. Industry observers note that sprint formats add to fatigue, while global expansion brings valuable exposure and sponsorship potential.

As MotoGP weighs its options, teams and riders may advocate for a more strategic winter build, potential mid-season breaks, or variations in the sprint schedule to preserve performance and safety. The discussion also mirrors broader sports conversations about workload management in elite competitions, underscoring the need for sustainable athlete-centric scheduling.

What readers think could help

Would you support reducing the number of races or reintroducing longer breaks between blocks? should MotoGP prioritize market expansion or pace-of-play improvements for rider health? Tell us which venues you’d most like to see on the calendar next year.

Context and next steps

Riders will continue to weigh the merits of a global calendar as promoters assess market opportunities and sponsorship landscapes. The conversation is likely to shape planning for the 2026 season and beyond, with rider welfare playing a central role in any adjustments.

For more on the official MotoGP calendar and events, visit the sport’s governing pages and primary coverage outlets. External reference: MotoGP Official Site.

Engagement

What change would you most like to see to balance competition intensity with rider well-being? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and vote in our reader poll on whether the calendar should be adjusted.