Martin Smolinski (41) still struggling with hip problems: Long-track World Championships cancelled!

“After careful consideration and in consultation with my family, my doctors, my physiotherapist and my team, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from this year’s Long-Track World Championship,” Martin Smolinski told the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). “We are very disappointed, but due to my personal circumstances and my physical condition with my artificial hip, I am currently not fit enough to compete at World Championship level. We are very sorry for the organisers, the FIM, the fans and my home federation, the DMSB.”

The Olchingen-based rider had already been forced to miss last year’s Long Track World Championship season finale in Roden following his crash in Scheeßel, but still managed to finish in the top five, securing him a guaranteed place in the 2026 World Championship. In 2023 and 2024, Smolinski clinched his second and third world championship titles despite having an artificial hip, but in recent times he has increasingly had to pay the price for the strain on his body.

A possible cancellation of the World Championship opener in Marmande – which has recently been the subject of rumours due to water rationing in southern France caused by the heatwave – is not currently under consideration. “Everything is fine at the moment,” FIM Track Racing boss Armando Castagna told SPEEDWEEK.com when asked. “If night-time temperatures exceed 22 degrees, a red alert could be issued again, which could become a problem. But it doesn’t look like that will happen at the moment.”

The 2026 World Championship consists of just three events: the opening round this coming Monday (13 July) in Marmande will be followed by Scheeßel near Bremen (23 August) and Morizes near Bordeaux (5 September).