ENGINEERS TIP MARC MARQUEZ TO EXCEL OFF THE LINE WITHOUT START DEVICES

MotoGP’s 2027 ban on ride-height and holeshot devices could make starts more dependent on rider skill, and Marc Marquez may be among those to benefit most. Engineers’ assessments, relayed by TNT Sports commentator Gavin Emmett during coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix, point to the Ducati rider as the strongest starter when those aids are removed.

“What we have heard, consistently, speaking to the engineers behind the scenes, is that Marquez is the one,” Emmett said. “If you look at all the data traces, taking those devices off, he’s the best starter.” Emmett added that Jorge Martin is “usually very, very good” as well.

Marquez has already shown his ability to make fast getaways. He started second and took the lead in the Thailand Sprint, then repeated the move at Aragon. A ride-height device that stuck prevented him from doing the same in the Aragon Grand Prix. He also passed Marco Bezzecchi into the first corner of the Misano Sprint.

Launch control will remain legal in 2027, but removing the other devices is expected to give riders a greater role in determining how well they get off the line. The current systems have helped make starts more uniform across the field, while a malfunction can have serious consequences for a rider’s race.

The wider technical changes are intended to reshape racing, but Marquez is “not very optimistic” that the new bikes will improve it. The move to 850cc engines is expected to lower top speeds, with shorter braking zones as a consequence. Aerodynamic restrictions will also tighten, while the switch from Michelin to Pirelli tyres is expected to be the most noticeable change for riders.

There is also a dispute over development: Aprilia proposed limiting teams to one bike for next season, and Ducati backed the idea, but rival manufacturers rejected it. The proposal has raised suspicion among competitors, given the two Italian brands’ potential advantage.