Uncertainty reigns over Qatar MotoGP as talk of rider union intensifies
One of MotoGP’s best performers of 2026 has opened up about the secret rider meeting at Phillip Island.
Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi has provided details of the secret rider meeting held at Phillip Island, where the entire grid is believed to have voted on whether the Qatar MotoGP should go ahead or not.
Like F1, MotoGP is set to race at the Lusail International Circuit next month, however, the ongoing tensions in the Middle East means high-profile events could be subject to major safety risks.
Reported by The Race on Friday morning, the secret meeting took place on Thursday evening, which was described as “very positive” by Bezzecchi.
That being said, the Italian rider did not reveal any details about the meeting when speaking to GPOne, saying:
“I think it’s impossible to get everyone to agree. But it was a very positive meeting, in my opinion, because we were all very mature about voicing our opinions without tearing each other apart.
“That’s what happens on the track. I can’t say anything [about the discussion]. Though, honestly, I don’t know how much good it did. We did it more for ourselves, to talk it over among the riders.”
Two-thirds of the grid are reported to have been in favour of cancelling the Qatar GP, scheduled for November 6-8.
But at the time of this writing, MotoGP has not confirmed any changes to its original plans of racing there.
Although there’s been no indication from MotoGP whether the secret vote will have any influence on its decision, it has renewed hopes of a rider union in the future.
The idea has previously been dismissed by MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, although riders did come close in 2023 to forming a similar type of union headed by ex-MotoGP racer and 2014 WorldSBK champion, Sylvain Guintoli.
What makes the lack of a rider union a little strange, is that F1 currently has the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association), which is the union-like body for its riders. But with F1’s owner Liberty Media now in charge of MotoGP, too, the idea of a rider union might become a more realistic option.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
