MotoGP searches for answers to reduce first-corner crashes

Safety is always one of the most important topics in MotoGP, and first-corner crashes continue to worry riders, teams and officials. These accidents often happen because more than twenty riders arrive at the first turn at the same time while fighting for position.

Some riders believe that ride-height devices, also known as holeshot devices, make the situation more difficult. These systems lower the bike during the start to improve acceleration and help riders launch more quickly from the grid.

According to several riders, the main problem is not the extra speed. Instead, the issue comes when riders need to disengage the device before or during the approach to the first corner. To release the system, heavy braking is often required. If the device does not disengage immediately, a rider may need to adjust their braking, which can create unpredictable movements in a tightly packed group.

This can be especially dangerous at the start of a race, when riders are very close together and have little room to react. Even a small change in speed or braking can increase the risk of contact between bikes.

MotoGP has already decided that ride-height devices will be removed from the championship in the near future as part of efforts to simplify the bikes and improve safety. However, there is still debate about whether they should be banned earlier than planned.

Not everyone believes that removing the devices will instantly solve the problem. Some team bosses and officials have warned against making quick decisions based on a single incident. They argue that first-corner crashes happened long before ride-height devices were introduced and that several factors can contribute to accidents.

Another idea being discussed is changing the starting grid layout. At present, MotoGP uses three riders per row. Some people believe that reducing this to two riders per row, similar to Formula 1, could spread the field out more and reduce congestion when the riders reach the first corner.

Finding the right solution is not easy. MotoGP bikes are now faster and more advanced than ever before, while riders continue to push to the limit in every race. As a result, organisers must balance performance, technology and safety.

For now, discussions continue between riders, teams and championship officials. Everyone agrees on one thing: reducing the number of first-corner accidents is important, and any changes must be carefully tested to make sure they genuinely improve safety for all competitors.