MotoGP: Why will MotoGP ban the holeshot devices with immediate effect?
MotoGP has confirmed a significant set of technical and sporting regulation changes, headlined by the immediate ban on front ride‑height devices — commonly known as holeshot devices — from this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix at Assen.
The decisions were taken by the Grand Prix Commission following consultation with all MotoGP manufacturers and riders, and form part of a wider regulatory update aimed at improving safety, reducing costs and maintaining competitive balance across the grid.
The most impactful change is the removal of front ride‑height devices from all MotoGP machines. These systems, originally developed to improve starts and stability under acceleration, have become increasingly complex and costly in recent seasons.
After riders were given additional opportunities to test race starts in dedicated Practice Start sessions, the Commission agreed that the devices would be banned from Assen onwards. The rear holeshot systems remain permitted for now, but the removal of the front mechanism marks a major shift in the technical landscape of the premier class.
Alongside the device ban, MotoGP will also introduce a revised grid layout across all classes from the 2026 German Grand Prix. To further enhance safety at race starts — particularly in the tightly packed opening metres — the vertical spacing between rows will increase from three metres to four, extending the distance between each three‑rider row from nine metres to 12.
The number of riders per row remains unchanged at three, but the additional space is expected to reduce the risk of incidents in the critical launch phase.
Looking further ahead, the Commission has also approved a new limit on the number of motorcycles each manufacturer may supply. From 2028, a maximum of six riders per manufacturer will be permitted to use the same brand of machinery in MotoGP.
In practice, this means each constructor will be able to field its factory team plus supply bikes to two satellite teams, provided that at least five manufacturers are present in the championship. The measure is designed to maintain competitive diversity and prevent any single brand from dominating the grid through sheer volume of entries.
