MotoGP introduces new safety rules as holeshot devices are banned

MotoGP has announced important rule changes that will start during the 2026 season. The decisions were made after recent discussions between riders, teams and officials, with safety being the main reason for the changes.

The first change will arrive at the Dutch TT in Assen. From that race onwards, riders will no longer be allowed to use front holeshot devices. These systems lower the front of the motorcycle before the start to help improve acceleration when the lights go out. MotoGP officials believe removing them will make race starts safer.

Holeshot devices became popular in MotoGP over the last few years as teams searched for every possible performance advantage. They helped riders launch their bikes more effectively, but concerns grew that the technology was making starts more complicated and increasing risks in crowded situations.

Another major change will come into force at the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring. The starting grid will be made larger in all three Grand Prix classes: MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. The distance between riders on the grid will increase from three metres to four metres. As a result, the gap between each row will grow from nine metres to twelve metres.

Officials hope the extra space will reduce the chances of accidents during the opening moments of a race, especially when riders arrive together at the first corner. The number of riders in each row will stay the same, but there will be more room between the bikes.

These measures are part of MotoGP’s wider plan to improve safety ahead of the new technical regulations that will arrive in 2027. Those future rules will include further restrictions on ride-height devices and other technologies used on the bikes.

MotoGP organisers believe the latest changes will help create safer race starts while still keeping the sport fast, exciting and competitive. Riders and teams will now adapt to the new procedures as the championship continues through the second half of the season.