MotoGP is making its debut with a demonstration at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin – Dani Pedrosa, Nicolo Bulega and two other riders will be taking part in demonstration runs
Formula 1 fans in Austin can look forward to an unusual event this coming Saturday: as part of the US Grand Prix, four MotoGP bikes will be on display at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
The premier-class bikes will complete a demonstration lap on the Texan circuit on 24 October between 11.40 am and 12 noon local time.
According to MotoGP organisers, this marks a first: This will be the first time the Motorcycle World Championship has formed part of a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend with such a track presentation and accompanying fan activities. The organisers are expecting more than 400,000 visitors over the weekend.
Pedrosa and Bulega lead the rider line-up
Four riders, who hold different roles in international motorcycling, are scheduled to take part in the demonstration laps. Dani Pedrosa, three-time world champion and member of the MotoGP Hall of Fame, will take to the track for KTM.
Nicolo Bulega, the reigning Superbike World Champion, will be riding a Ducati. The Italian is set to move up to MotoGP in 2027, when he will compete for the VR46 Ducati team. The line-up is completed by Andrea Dovizioso, who works as a Yamaha test rider, and his colleague Lorenzo Savadori from Aprilia.
Pedrosa is looking forward to returning to the track in Austin. “It’s always something special to ride a MotoGP bike at COTA. The circuit is one of the most iconic race tracks in the world,” explains the Spaniard, who retired at the end of 2018.
Pedrosa also highlights the special atmosphere of the Formula 1 weekend. He says the US Grand Prix is an exceptional event on the Formula 1 calendar, one that always attracts a huge crowd and thus offers an excellent opportunity to give fans a taste of the thrill of MotoGP.
“You have to experience the speed, the sound and the performance of these motorbikes live. I’m looking forward to sharing that with everyone in Austin,” says the former MotoGP rider.
Over 360 km/h and extreme lean angles
The demonstration is primarily intended to convey the technical aspects of MotoGP. The motorbikes reach speeds of over 362 km/h. In corners, lean angles of more than 60 degrees are possible. The machines also make quite an impression acoustically: their noise level can reach up to 130 decibels.
This offers the audience the opportunity to experience the motorbikes in action at close quarters without having to attend a regular MotoGP race weekend. It is precisely the combination of high speeds, extreme lean angles and the characteristic engine sound that is intended to bring home the differences between the two premier classes of motorsport.
Bulega sees the event as an opportunity to expand the reach of the Motorcycle World Championship. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase MotoGP to one of the largest audiences in international motorsport,” said the Italian.
The atmosphere at the Circuit of The Americas is always exceptional. Riding a MotoGP bike in front of such a large crowd will therefore be a special experience.
The reigning Superbike champion hopes that the demonstration laps will impressively showcase the machines’ capabilities: “MotoGP bikes are unlike anything else. Hopefully our laps will show just how spectacular our sport is.” At the same time, he is already looking forward to his return to Austin next year: that is when he will compete there for the first time as a full-time MotoGP rider.
Fan activities throughout the race weekend
The programme isn’t limited to laps on the track. All four motorbikes are set to be on display in the COTA Fan Zone throughout the Formula 1 weekend, allowing fans to view them up close.
Representatives from the MotoGP teams and riders will be on site from Thursday to Sunday. The event is intended to strengthen the series’ presence in the US market whilst also drawing attention to the upcoming US Grand Prix, whilst MotoGP is racing in Australia at the same time this weekend.
The premier class of motorcycling will return to Austin from 23 to 25 April 2027. Formula 1 will hold its US Grand Prix next year from 22 to 24 October.