Is MotoGP too reliant on Valentino Rossi's legacy for its current-day promotion?
That is the topic of discussion in the latest edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast, with host Toby Moody joined by the usual cast of Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy.
Was series promoter Dorna too keen on accentuating Rossi's presence in the Valencia season finale - where protege Pecco Bagnaia took the title - and just how much is Rossi's absence hurting the championship?
And is there anybody already on the grid who can pick up the mantle as the series' transcendent star?
The crew discuss all those questions, and also pitch a potential rivalry that could emulate Rossi's famous feuds and boost MotoGP's fortunes.
Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com

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Does MotoGP need to get over its addiction to Valentino Rossi?

Everything you need to know from the fascinating world of MotoGP racing, with host Matt Beer, The-Race.com's MotoGP correspondent Simon Patterson and MotoGP editor Valentin Khorounzhiy, plus special guests. We'll be talking about all the races, the big storylines, and taking the occasional trip back into the sport's rich history as well. Join us for the ride!

Sports

Pecco Bagnaia went from a bizarre final lap crash while leading MotoGP's Catalan Grand Prix sprint to pulling off a very intelligent Sunday race win that keeps things poised in the title fight.
But he was just one of three riders to crash from the sprint lead - all for different reasons. And with Bagnaia, championship leader Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez finding ways to all take nearly identical points hauls from Barcelona despite having wildly contrasting weekends, this strange event gives Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer plenty to delve into on The Race MotoGP Podcast.
That includes the latest round of 2025 rider market talk, with Aleix Espargaro's retirement announcement - and surprise likely next move - kicking things off, new talk of how Ducati might resolve its Martin/Marquez factory seat debate emerging and some very leftfield moves appearing in paddock speculation.
Throw in Enea Bastianini protesting the stewards by ignoring their penalties and Val and Simon having a passionate argument over Yamaha's form, and there's plenty packed into the episode.

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Bagnaia saves his title bid

We debate YOUR suggestions for what to change about MotoGP in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast.
And we've never had such a huge influx of listener input when we've done a callout for questions or suggestions.
With the 2027 rules freshly announced and plenty in the paddock making suggestions for what they think could be better about MotoGP regulations, organisation, officiating or promotion, your ideas covered everything from rules preventing riders remounting after crashes to MotoGP test chances for Moto2 stars to race format rejigs and electronic active suspension.
All that, and much more, is debated by Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer.

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What YOU'D change about MotoGP

MotoGP 2024's 'big three' Jorge Martin, Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez produced an absolutely epic French Grand Prix weekend at Le Mans between them.
But which of them looks most like the 2024 champion, and are two of them set to be 2025 team-mates?
Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer delve into both elements of that situation in The Race MotoGP Podcast, assessing what Le Mans told us about the trio's various strengths in the title fight and the varied scenarios around who Ducati will place where in 2025.
The future of championship leader Martin's Pramac team is another key element of that jigsaw that's discussed.
KTM's enormous reliance on Pedro Acosta, the prospect of Acosta and Martin as team-mates and Aprilia's place in both the title fight and the rider market are also delved into.
Plus Simon gives his take on the incredible French GP crowd experience and how their heroes Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco tackled coming to their home race on uncompetitive bikes.
Don't forget in the next episode we'll be debating YOUR ideas for how to improve MotoGP. Send them in written or voice note form to podcasts@the-race.com or contact us via our MotoGP social media channels @theracemoto on X or Instagram.
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Are title rivals about to become team-mates?

MotoGP has unveiled its new rules for 2027, with some of the current bikes' most controversial elements outlawed and others pegged back.
But has it all gone far enough and are these the right moves for the world championship?
Simon Patterson gives his initial take on the changes to engine capacity, aero allowance and concessions, plus the ban on ride-height devices, in a bumper episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast.
Plus Matt Beer invites Simon and Valentin Khorounzhiy to suggest the changes they'd each like to see - whether in the regulations, presentation or marketing of MotoGP.
And now we'd like to hear your suggestions too. Email your ideas for MotoGP changes to podcasts@the-race.com in written or voice note form, or via our MotoGP social accounts @theracemoto on X or Instagram and we'll share them - and give our takes - on a future episode.

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MotoGP's rules revamp - and what we'd change

Ever since Marc Marquez get himself a Ducati, the MotoGP world has been waiting eagerly to see a head-to-head victory fight between him and reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia.
That's exactly what the Spanish Grand Prix became - and it was absolutely worth all the anticipation.
Does Bagnaia's defeat of Marquez show Ducati's current number one has his famous new stablemate covered? Or does the fact Marquez is so quick on a Ducati (and an old-spec one at that) already show Bagnaia will need to raise his game?
That's one of the big debates between Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer on The Race MotoGP Podcast, along with what championship leader Jorge Martin should be thinking about it all after crashing out of the race lead.
The 15-crash madness of the Jerez sprint and an extraordinary stewards' office rant by Johann Zarco also feature.

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Does MotoGP need to get over its addiction to Valentino Rossi?

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