MotoGP rider Fabio Di Giannantonio believes the sport’s current calendar is too busy and is pushing riders beyond their limits. He says the large number of races and long travel days are making it harder for riders to stay fit and healthy.

The 2025 MotoGP season was the longest ever, with 22 grands prix. New races were added in Hungary, while events in the Czech Republic and Argentina returned. Since sprint races were added to every race weekend in 2023, riders now compete twice each weekend, meaning a total of 44 races in one season.

In the past, MotoGP seasons had fewer than 20 races. This big increase has changed life for riders both on and off the bike.

Di Giannantonio explained that the busy schedule leaves almost no time for proper training.

“There are too many races and too many travel days,” he said to Motorsport.com. “The body feels it. You train a lot at the start of the year, maybe in January, but during the season you can only try to keep your level. It’s normal that your fitness goes down a bit.”

He added that even though it is difficult, riders must accept it. “It’s our job, so we have to do it,” he said.

French rider Johann Zarco agreed. He said the long season makes riders feel tired most of the time. He also pointed out that there is a test in Valencia two days after the final race, which gives riders no real break.

“You can feel the weight of 22 races,” Zarco said in an interview to Mototorsport.com. “Your body struggles. Maybe you arrive at the weekend with only 70 or 80 percent energy, not 100.”

He added that being tired can also be dangerous. “If you don’t feel good in your body or your mind, riding the bike can be risky,” he explained.

Marco Bezzecchi, who used to be Di Giannantonio’s team-mate, said the calendar is clearly hard, but mood and results also matter. Bezzecchi finished the 2025 season strongly, winning the last two races of the season.

“When you are doing well, the races feel like they go very fast,” he said. “Physically and mentally it’s tough, but if you enjoy the work and feel good with your team, it’s easier.”

MotoGP has added many new races outside Europe in recent years, especially in Asia, as the sport tries to grow worldwide, similar to Formula 1.

Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia supports racing in new countries and enjoys travelling, but he admitted the season felt long.

“I think the calendar is fair,” he said. “Racing outside Europe is nice. But honestly, this year I would have liked the season to end earlier.”

KTM rider Pedro Acosta also said he is mostly happy with the number of races. However, he warned that injuries are now a bigger problem than before.

“In the past, an injury might cost you one or two races,” he said. “Now it can be four races or more. That’s the hardest part.”

Overall, many riders agree that MotoGP’s long season brings excitement and growth, but also heavy pressure. While some enjoy the challenge, others believe the sport may be asking too much from the riders’ bodies and minds.