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MotoGP safety measures: changes from Assen and the Sachsenring

Following several crashes, the controversial holeshot device will be banned in the MotoGP class from Assen onwards. This is a further measure designed to reduce the risk during the start phase.

MotoGP

21.06.2026 - 17:32

This article is an automatically generated English version. The original article was published in German.

Jorge Martin verursachte in Ungarn einen Massencrash
© gold & goose

The holeshot device – the front fork that is fully compressed at the start and then mechanically locked in place – is to be banned. This is because there have been several instances where the fork failed to decompress when braking for the first corner, leading to accidents. This measure was originally planned to come into effect from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in early August, but it will now apply to Assen as well.

A great deal of preparatory work was carried out in Brno, and an additional start session was incorporated on Friday afternoon immediately after qualifying. There, the riders were able to practise the start without the front fork compressed; the lowered rear end, which improves acceleration, will continue to be permitted.

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Pedro Acosta bei einem Start: Vordergabel ist komplett eingefedert
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At the Silverstone Circuit, the section leading into Turns 1 and 2 is particularly tricky when it comes to deactivating the holeshot device. The chaos at the Balaton Park Circuit was triggered by a delay in deactivating the system for Jorge Martin.

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To ensure greater safety, there will be a further change. In future, the starting rows will still consist of three riders, but the distance between the rows will be increased by one metre. As all the starting straights on the MotoGP calendar need to be repainted, this adjustment will come into effect for the first time at the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring from 10 to 12 July. This will give the MotoGP rockets a little more room to manoeuvre during the acceleration phase.

Willkommen zum Rennen in Brünn

Foto: Gerhard Schiel

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