MotoGP bans front holeshot devices immediately, tweaks grid layout from German GP

MotoGP has pushed through two major rule changes at short notice

MotoGP has banned front holeshot devices with immediate effect, while grid spacing will be expanded from next month’s German Grand Prix.

The series had been weighing up a ban on front holeshot devices going into last weekend’s Czech GP having trialled tests during practice – with riders’ split over the idea.

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MotoGP is due to ban front and rear holeshot devices from 2027 regardless, but has brought forward that ban to the front holeshot device used at race starts for the next event.

It means only rear holeshot devices will be in use from this weekend’s Dutch GP for the rest of the season.

The front holeshot device raised concerns as it required riders to apply hard braking to disengage it at the first corner, while it was also considered an expensive development push without adding to the racing.

Meanwhile from the following race, the German GP at the Sachsenring, the grid layout will change across all classes. The distance between each rider will be extended from three metres to four metres, meaning each row will also be spaced out from nine metres to 12 metres. There will still be three riders per row.

Race start

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images

The decision follows recent safety concerns over race starts.

Finally, the Grand Prix Commission also announced a cap of six riders per manufacturer in MotoGP from 2028; meaning effectively a manufacturer can supply one factory team and two customer teams.

This decision is already being adhered to in MotoGP with Ducati supplying three teams (factory squad, Gresini and VR46) following Pramac’s switch to Yamaha from 2025. No other manufacturer supplies to more than two teams.

The rule is in place under the working provision of five manufacturers in MotoGP; which is set to be the case until at least 2031 after all five manufacturers – Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Honda and Yamaha – and series promoter MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group announced a new Concorde Agreement which covers the following five years.