iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 01/10/2026

The Honda special livery for Motegi, celebrating 60 years of grand prix racing. A throwback to the RC181, the first 500 they race in 1966. Stunning.

5372

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 24/09/2026

Honda to reveal the livery they will be using to celebrate 60 years of grand prix racing at the Motegi MotoGP round. (No, it's not the 850cc RC214V).

A poster from the Honda HRC Castrol team. In the background a map of the Motegi circuit. In the foreground, a Honda RC213V MotoGP machine, backlit so you can only see the silhouette. There is a dark red light behind the bike with some dry ice smoke. Ooh, spooky.

3120

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 24/09/2026

Excellent news. Mugello to remain on the #MotoGP calendar for 5 more years

Mugello to remain home of MotoGP’s Italian Grand Prix as new five-year deal is confirmed
Thursday, 24 September 2026
MotoGP is pleased to announce the extension of its agreement with the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello for the Italian Grand Prix, securing the future of racing at one of the championship's most iconic venues through the end of the 2031 season.

The new agreement reinforces MotoGP's long-term commitment to a circuit renowned for its passionate atmosphere, spectacular setting and consistent delivery of world-class racing.

Mugello, which celebrated 50 years since hosting its first motorcycle Grand Prix last year, remains a cornerstone of the MotoGP calendar and is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated and fastest circuits in motorcycle racing. Its enduring appeal was further highlighted in 2026, when the Italian Grand Prix welcomed a record 178,723 spectators across the race weekend.

3262

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 24/09/2026

Portimão stays on the #MotoGP calendar through 2029

1121

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 21/09/2026

About 3 years ago, senior Conservative politicians decided they had to adopt the 'Power Stance' to project strength and a firm resolve. Soon petered out. We can only hope the same happens to the Trump Stance

Three Conservative politicians standing with their legs unnaturally wide apart

210

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 16/09/2026

No shade on Stark, who build amazing bikes, but the obsession of motorcyclists and motorcycle manufacturers with black is peak loser shit. Fucking perk up lads, paint something nice bright colours instead of going with Danny Tommo's favourite shade of arsehole.

STARK VARG SM SKÖLL

Limited edition: 500 units. Every component taken to black

6150

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 25/08/2026

When my dad died, I used this quote from Kropotkin's autobiography, Memoirs Of A Revolutionist, in his eulogy. Kropotkin wrote it about his mother after she died. This is the immortality Dolly Parton achieved. She was, above all, "a really good person", and her memory, her legacy will live on.

In his memoirs, the Russian scientist and revolutionary Prince Peter Kropotkin wrote, "Men passionately desire to live after death, but they often pass away without noticing the fact that the memory of a really good person always lives. It is impressed upon the next generation, and it is transmitted again to the children. Is that not an immortality worth striving for?"

4384

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 23/08/2026

I was in Abergavenny last week and saw 3 fires. The scale is quite frightening

The smoke from a wildfire hanging over a hillside in Wales

The same wildfire a little earlier in the day

001

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 22/08/2026

Riding through Wales means keeping an eye out for sheep

8482

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 22/08/2026

Went to watch MXGP at Arnhem. Very enjoyable

A Motocross bike suspended in the air as it flies over a jump. The rider is moving their weight forward as they prepare to land. In the foreground, a marshall in an orange jacket stands on a platform watching the bike fly past

0160

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 20/08/2026

Johann Zarco will return to action for the LCR Honda squad at the Aragon round of #MotoGP, subject to being passed fit. Recovery progressing well.

Castrol Honda LCR is pleased to announce that Johann Zarco will return to racing at the Aragon Grand Prix, subject to passing the mandatory medical examination at the circuit.

After suffering a crash during Sunday’s race at the Catalan Grand Prix, Zarco was forced to miss the subsequent Grands Prix to allow him to recover from ligament injuries to his left knee. The rider and his medical team opted for a non-surgical approach, with September initially set as his target for a return to competition.

However, Zarco’s recovery has progressed positively in recent weeks, allowing him to bring forward his return to racing. He has progressively increased his workload, riding both a supermoto and a Honda CBR1000RR as part of his rehabilitation. Having made steady progress and received clearance from his medical team to resume racing, Zarco will travel to Aragon with the aim of returning to competition, subject to passing the mandatory medical assessment at the circuit.

Both Johann Zarco and the Castrol Honda LCR team are looking forward to being reunited at the Aragon Grand Prix and continuing their work together on track.

1190

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 16/08/2026

Went to a local gladioli grower's open day to buy some flowers, and they had a bunch of dahlias there as well. Stunning

A bunch of dahlia flower heads all crammed together into a riot of colour. Reds, creams, peach, orange, purple

A mass of dahlia flower heads in a wheelbarrow. The colours are predominantly reds and purples, with some whites, creams, and oranges in there.

Rows of gladioli flowers. In the foreground mainly green stalks with some yellow and orange flowers, in the middle a few purple gladioli, and at the back a riot of red and yellow flowers

3151

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 12/08/2026

Stopped at a petrol station near Colchester to view the eclipse. Was stood under some trees, and noticed that the leaves created a sort of pinhole camera effect. Awesome spectacle. We really are puny humans

Crescents of light on the tarmac of a car park, as the leaves on a tree create a pinhole camera effect to show the partial solar eclipse, at a petrol station near Colchester. The arc of the crescent is on the right.

3271

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 11/08/2026

Here's the latest update from the Circuit of Wales

230

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 31/07/2026

40,000 on Sunday last year. Not good.

A table of spectator attendance for the Silverstone round of MotoGP. Numbers are declining by a huge amount since 2010

200

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 31/07/2026

MotoGP to kick off 2027 season at Buriram om March 5-7.

MotoGP to begin 2027 season in Thailand
Buriram to host the opening round of MotoGP's new regulations cycle as the championship begins its 79th season
MotoGP will usher in a new era of premier-class motorcycle racing when the 2027 FIM MotoGP World Championship begins at the Grand Prix of Thailand in Buriram from 5 - 7 March 2027.

Thailand will host the MotoGP season opener for the third consecutive year, underlining the country's growing importance within the championship and the passion of its rapidly expanding fanbase. Following the success of the opening rounds in 2025 and 2026, Buriram will once again welcome the world's fastest riders as MotoGP embarks on a historic new chapter.

The 2027 Thai Grand Prix will make history as the first competitive event contested under MotoGP's new technical regulations for the 2027 - 2031 cycle. Fans around the world will witness the debut of the next generation of MotoGP machinery in race conditions, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the sport.

Buriram has established itself as one of the standout destinations on the MotoGP calendar, with Thailand's passionate supporters creating an electric atmosphere throughout race weekend This year's season opener saw Marco Bezzecchi take a memorable victory for Aprilia in front of a record crowd (228,228), further demonstrating the strength of MotoGP's following in the region and reinforcing Thailand's status as one of the championship's most important markets.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, said: "Hosting the MotoGP season opener for a third consecutive year is a testament to the outstanding partnership we have built in Thailand and the incredible passion of the fans. Buriram has consistently delivered one of the best events on our calendar, making it the perfect venue to launch MotoGP's new technical era. The first race under the 2027 regulations will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our sport, and we're delighted to start that journey in Thailand."

0102

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 30/07/2026

Marco Bezzecchi has been riding road bikes at Misano. Next stop Silverstone, where he'll face a medical assessment before he can ride.

A photo of Marco Bezzecchi riding an Aprilia RSV4 at Misano

1242

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 29/07/2026

Apart from the fact we don't even know what intelligence is, let alone what artificial intelligence is supposed to be, there's always the infrastructural solution.

a photo of someone removing a plug from an electrical socket

000

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 28/07/2026

$8 away from being worthless

Stock price chart for Space X (SPCX) showing the price at USD 107.90, down 4.9% since the opening.

The Forbes article in the quoted post says that the value of xAI would essentially be zero if the price of SpaceX stock falls to $100

4114

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 23/07/2026

Went to the Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden (Dutch National Antiquities Museum) in Leiden yesterday. They have a superb display of Dutch archeological history, from 300,000 years ago to the Early Modern Era. And this, the stunning Dorestad brooch, made 750-800 CE.

A highly decorated circular brooch made of gold and inlaid with lots of gems. A large red oval stone in the centre, with four smaller red stones at top and bottom, left and right, with the left stone missing. Fine inlays, predominantly red and green, with decorative curled cutouts shaped like ram's horns near the edge

740670

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 20/07/2026

1461.5 kilometres from my home to the Sachsenring, 0 km by motorway. Bike fully loaded, two up, and still do 20 km per litre. Not bad

The dash of my BMW R1250GSA showing the details of my trip to Germany:
25h50 travelling
1461.5 km
Avg speed 54km/h
Fuel consumption 5 litres/100 km

1341

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 01/07/2026

I see the Catholics are having a bit of a schism. All I will say is they are a bunch of rank amateurs compared to the kings of hair-splitting the Dutch Reformed Church. (And yes, I do mean "kings" - male. The super-conservative congregations don't believe women should be allowed. At all.)

A massively complex flow chart showing the many schisms that have occurred in the Dutch Reformed Church since the 16th Century.

380

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 30/06/2026

TomTom is een Nederlands bedrijf, en dan sturen ze dit soort AI-vertaalde slop uit als persbericht? "kaartactualisaties" "in realtijd" "laagstookzones" (is best grappig) "Live brandstofprijzen en parkeringinformatie aan je vingers" AAN JE VINGERS?

WAAROM EEN UPGRADE BELANGRIJK IS
● Live verkeer bijgewerkt elke minuut voor werkelijk nauwkeurige reistijden
● Maandelijkse kaartactualisaties automatisch via Wi-Fi geleverd
● Snelheidscamera- en waarschuwingen voor gevaar gemarkeerd in realtijd voor je veiligheid
● Vermijding van laagstookzones om je te beschermen tegen onverwachte kosten
● Live brandstofprijzen en parkeringinformatie aan je vingers

010

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 20/06/2026

Marco Bezzecchi slapping a marshal at Brno #MotoGP. This will draw a significant penalty

5204

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 02/06/2026

Iker Lecuona to replace Alex Marquez in Hungary. Michele Pirro is racing in the CIV this weekend. #MotoGP

A photo of Aruba it Ducati rider Iker Lecuona, with the following text:
Iker Lecuona #27 is set to his return to the MotoGP paddock, replacing Alex Marquez #73 at Balaton Park for Round 8 of the season.
Welcome to the family Iker!

2171

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 01/06/2026

Post a poster you used to have on your wall.

The poster which came with the Dead Kennedys LP Frankenchrist. It is a version of the painting by HR Ginger called Penis Landscape. It features an impossible Escher-like arrangements of erect penises penetrating vaginas. Three rows of multiple buttocks, with each buttock alternating between penis and vagina

250

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 25/05/2026

This quote, from Google's Search VP Liz Reid, sums up why publishers now get zero benefit from Google. Google doesn't want people clicking links and leaving Google, because they make no money when they do. Google want you to stay on Google, read their plagiarised AI summaries

"We're making it even easier to continue the conversation with Search, bringing AI Overviews and AI Mode into one seamless AI search experience, so you can flow effortlessly from your question to your response on the main search results page to follow-ups in AI mode," she said.

2136

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 11/05/2026

Marc Marquez just posted on Insta, including this photo. That's quite a small bandage on his shoulder, where they removed two broken screws. Looks like a relatively minor operation. Should recover quickly. #MotoGP

Marc Marquez, lying in a hospital bed in just his shorts. He is being examined by two senior surgeons. A bandage is visible on his left hand, and a smallish bandage covers his right shoulder, which is where he had surgery to remove two screws. He has a look of concentration on his face, and looks quite well otherwise

3231

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 01/05/2026

No one outside the riders will talk about it either. Tried to get the medical staff to talk about the necessity of arm pump surgery. Was told "they don't want us to talk about that, sorry". Anyway, apropos of nothing, here's a photo of Aleix Espargaro /End

Aleix Espargaro, topless, taking a selfie. He is looking extremely emaciated with a very low body fat percentage

250

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 21/04/2026

New KTM repair video tool just dropped

110

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 10/04/2026

Listened to the episode of You're Dead To Me on El Cid with @gregjenner.bsky.social and reminded that if you go to Peñiscola, north of Valencia, you can see the castle in that epic final shot of the Charlton Heston film. Also home of Antipope Benedict XIII www.bbc.com/audio/play/m...

Looking across the beach and sea towards the castle of Peñiscola in Spain, on an outcrop sticking into the Mediterranean. A medieval castle, surrounded by new buildings.

1212

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 01/04/2026

Hungarian journalist Niki Kovács reporting that the Hungarian rounds of #MotoGP and #WorldSBK will go ahead at Balaton Park this year, after they found a new promoter. Was some doubt about the round.

The 2026 Hungarian rounds of MotoGP and WorldSBK got the green light

After a long silence and uncertainty, last Friday (28 March), the Hungarian government finally issued a government decree that was needed for the Hungarian rounds of MotoGP and WorldSBK to take place.

The decree names Hungaroring Zrt. as the new promoter, which will organise the events with the support of NRÜ (National Event Management Agency) and MAMS (Hungarian Motorcycle Federation).

This change was needed after the previous promoter's (HUMDA - Hungarian Mobility Development Agency) operation was no longer ensured.

The location will be the same as last year, at Lake Balaton.

Ticket sales are expected to open soon.

NikiGP

280

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 21/03/2026

Absolutely massive crash for Cormac Buchanan in Moto3 qualifying. Weird, never seen one like that #MotoGP Video from @motogp.com

2252

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 21/03/2026

From TNT Sports over on X, Suzi Perry, Neil Hodgson and Sylvain Guintoli explain the problems with the damp patches on the tarmac at Goiânia in Brazil for #MotoGP

181

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 20/03/2026

Looking very ominous in Brazil for #MotoGP. Looks like it is going to start hammering down in about 20 minutes.

A rain radar screen showing a lot of rain heading toward Goiânia.

120

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 19/03/2026

Another photo of the Brazil track from the #MotoGP account. Track is dry. Some dirt on the track, but the colour makes it look worse than it probably is.

A photo of the Goiânia track from above. Track is completely dry, no water anywhere. There is red dust on the track. The sky is blue with some fluffy white clouds in the foreground

0110

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 19/03/2026

Photo from @motogp.com on Twitter from Goiânia in Brazil. Few other photos showing the same thing. Weather is fine, it's hot, but it's dry. No water on track.

A photo of the track at Goiânia. Blue sky with some white clouds in front over the grandstands. In the foreground, the kerbs, painted yellow and green, and the track. Everything is completely dry.

2242

David Emmett @motomatters.com · 15/03/2026

Official: Qatar #MotoGP round moved to 8th November, a week after Sepang. Portimão and Valencia moved back a week, to the 22nd and 29th November respectively

MotoGP confirms new date for the Qatar Grand Prix
Sunday, 15 March 2026
MotoGP confirms that the Qatar Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April, has been postponed to 8 November due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

This decision has been taken in close coordination with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the Promoter and the local authorities in Qatar, with the primary objective of ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and highest‑quality delivery of the event for all participants and attendees.

Following extensive scenario planning and calendar analysis, the revised date has been chosen to ensure minimal disruption to the wider MotoGP schedule. As a result, the Portuguese GP in Portimão will now take place on 22 November, and the season finale in Valencia will move to 29 November, while all other rounds of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship remain unaffected.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP, said: "This decision was taken with great care and in full coordination with our partners in Qatar and across the paddock. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in MotoGP, as well as ensuring that every Grand Prix is delivered to the highest possible standard. We also recognise the importance of providing clarity for our fans as early as possible and ticket holders will be given the opportunity to rollover their tickets to the next event.

"I would also like to thank our partners in Portimão and Valencia for their collaboration and flexibility in helping us deliver a smooth transition to the revised calendar. We are confident that the updated schedule will allow us to preserve the quality of the championship while offering fans an exceptional season of racing."

3142