Neil Morrison
@neilmorrison87.bsky.social
MotoGP reporter, Moto2/3/E Commentator
Bylines in: MCN, AMCN, Cycle News, Motocourse
Speak on: @paddockpasspodcast.com
Bylines in: MCN, AMCN, Cycle News, Motocourse
Speak on: @paddockpasspodcast.com
Reposted by Neil Morrison
You should know that if you have an Apple News subscription, you have full access to MCN, which this month includes some great stuff from Peter Bom (sadly still posting on Twitter) and @neilmorrison87.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 9:50 AM
You should know that if you have an Apple News subscription, you have full access to MCN, which this month includes some great stuff from Peter Bom (sadly still posting on Twitter) and @neilmorrison87.bsky.social
Confirmation just in from Gresini that Aldeguer will miss both Thailand test and race. Pirro to stand in as his replacement.
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Confirmation just in from Gresini that Aldeguer will miss both Thailand test and race. Pirro to stand in as his replacement.
Thursday Sprint simulation average times:
1:58.027 – A.Marquez (10 laps)
1:58.166 – Pecco (10)
1:58.289 – M.Marquez (10)
1:58.676 – Acosta (10)
1:58.936 – Bez (10)
1:58.992 – Mir (11)
1:59.335 – Zarco (11)
1:59.423 – Jack (10)
1:59.431 – Enea (9)
1:59.595 – Luca (11)
1:59.915 – Ai (8)
1:58.027 – A.Marquez (10 laps)
1:58.166 – Pecco (10)
1:58.289 – M.Marquez (10)
1:58.676 – Acosta (10)
1:58.936 – Bez (10)
1:58.992 – Mir (11)
1:59.335 – Zarco (11)
1:59.423 – Jack (10)
1:59.431 – Enea (9)
1:59.595 – Luca (11)
1:59.915 – Ai (8)
February 5, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Thursday Sprint simulation average times:
1:58.027 – A.Marquez (10 laps)
1:58.166 – Pecco (10)
1:58.289 – M.Marquez (10)
1:58.676 – Acosta (10)
1:58.936 – Bez (10)
1:58.992 – Mir (11)
1:59.335 – Zarco (11)
1:59.423 – Jack (10)
1:59.431 – Enea (9)
1:59.595 – Luca (11)
1:59.915 – Ai (8)
1:58.027 – A.Marquez (10 laps)
1:58.166 – Pecco (10)
1:58.289 – M.Marquez (10)
1:58.676 – Acosta (10)
1:58.936 – Bez (10)
1:58.992 – Mir (11)
1:59.335 – Zarco (11)
1:59.423 – Jack (10)
1:59.431 – Enea (9)
1:59.595 – Luca (11)
1:59.915 – Ai (8)
That's a wrap from Sepang. Alex Marquez less than a tenth off the outright lap record. Big steps for Aprilia, KTM & Honda... but for Ducati, too. 5 Bologna bikes in the top 6.
February 5, 2026 at 10:39 AM
That's a wrap from Sepang. Alex Marquez less than a tenth off the outright lap record. Big steps for Aprilia, KTM & Honda... but for Ducati, too. 5 Bologna bikes in the top 6.
Wet running now in Sepang. So here are the final times from day 2. First time Honda tops an official test day since Mandalika '22 with Joan Mir. Acosta also strong (and sounding calm & content). And Yamaha. Oh dear.
February 4, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Wet running now in Sepang. So here are the final times from day 2. First time Honda tops an official test day since Mandalika '22 with Joan Mir. Acosta also strong (and sounding calm & content). And Yamaha. Oh dear.
Quartararo confirms his test is over after day 1. Crack in a finger on his left hand courtesy of that T5 crash this am. Disastrous start to the season for the Yamaha man.
February 3, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Quartararo confirms his test is over after day 1. Crack in a finger on his left hand courtesy of that T5 crash this am. Disastrous start to the season for the Yamaha man.
Combined times from day 1 at Sepang.
121 days off the bike hasn't made much difference to the reigning champ. Also decent speed from Maverick, another comeback kid in 3rd. Just over 0.5s off Alex Marquez's fastest time from last year's test.
121 days off the bike hasn't made much difference to the reigning champ. Also decent speed from Maverick, another comeback kid in 3rd. Just over 0.5s off Alex Marquez's fastest time from last year's test.
February 3, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Combined times from day 1 at Sepang.
121 days off the bike hasn't made much difference to the reigning champ. Also decent speed from Maverick, another comeback kid in 3rd. Just over 0.5s off Alex Marquez's fastest time from last year's test.
121 days off the bike hasn't made much difference to the reigning champ. Also decent speed from Maverick, another comeback kid in 3rd. Just over 0.5s off Alex Marquez's fastest time from last year's test.
Factory Honda boys staying in red for '26.
February 2, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Factory Honda boys staying in red for '26.
Least surprising news of the silly season: Bezzecchi renews with Aprilia for '27 & '28.
Slightly suprising news: Aprilia holds a wedding ceremony at Sepang with Bez & his RS-GP to announce the signing 😂
Slightly suprising news: Aprilia holds a wedding ceremony at Sepang with Bez & his RS-GP to announce the signing 😂
February 2, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Least surprising news of the silly season: Bezzecchi renews with Aprilia for '27 & '28.
Slightly suprising news: Aprilia holds a wedding ceremony at Sepang with Bez & his RS-GP to announce the signing 😂
Slightly suprising news: Aprilia holds a wedding ceremony at Sepang with Bez & his RS-GP to announce the signing 😂
LCR's '26 bikes. Moreira with the classic Honda red, white & blue while Zarco continues with the Castrol colours.
February 1, 2026 at 10:28 AM
LCR's '26 bikes. Moreira with the classic Honda red, white & blue while Zarco continues with the Castrol colours.
New podcast is out 2 days early as we react to an *insane* week for the rider market plus preview the Sepang test - where each manufacturer is at + what they need!
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
Episode 535: What Quartararo, Martin and Acosta moves mean for MotoGP 2027
Adam, David, Neil and Steve wade into this episode with opinions and expectations for the resumption of MotoGP duty and the first of two official tests to start 2026. Sepang will have the curious back
soundcloud.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:33 AM
New podcast is out 2 days early as we react to an *insane* week for the rider market plus preview the Sepang test - where each manufacturer is at + what they need!
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
January 31, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Rookie progression at the Shakedown:
Toprak:
Day 1: 1’59.647
Day 2: 1’58.805
Day 3: 1’58.465
Improvement: 1.182s
Moreira:
Day 1: 2’00.894
Day 2: 1’59.930
Day 3: 1’58.338
Improvement: 2.556
Photos: @motogp.com
Toprak:
Day 1: 1’59.647
Day 2: 1’58.805
Day 3: 1’58.465
Improvement: 1.182s
Moreira:
Day 1: 2’00.894
Day 2: 1’59.930
Day 3: 1’58.338
Improvement: 2.556
Photos: @motogp.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Rookie progression at the Shakedown:
Toprak:
Day 1: 1’59.647
Day 2: 1’58.805
Day 3: 1’58.465
Improvement: 1.182s
Moreira:
Day 1: 2’00.894
Day 2: 1’59.930
Day 3: 1’58.338
Improvement: 2.556
Photos: @motogp.com
Toprak:
Day 1: 1’59.647
Day 2: 1’58.805
Day 3: 1’58.465
Improvement: 1.182s
Moreira:
Day 1: 2’00.894
Day 2: 1’59.930
Day 3: 1’58.338
Improvement: 2.556
Photos: @motogp.com
Final times for today's Shakedown test via @mclarenmotogp.bsky.social. Times are seriously quick - 0.6s faster than last year's Shakedown.
Looking promising for Honda & KTM. Plus, Quartararo under 1s off his best Sepang official test time last year. Solid start.
Looking promising for Honda & KTM. Plus, Quartararo under 1s off his best Sepang official test time last year. Solid start.
January 31, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Final times for today's Shakedown test via @mclarenmotogp.bsky.social. Times are seriously quick - 0.6s faster than last year's Shakedown.
Looking promising for Honda & KTM. Plus, Quartararo under 1s off his best Sepang official test time last year. Solid start.
Looking promising for Honda & KTM. Plus, Quartararo under 1s off his best Sepang official test time last year. Solid start.
A podcast with a difference this week as we tackle our own big Qs relating to the sport. How can MotoGP prepare for life without Marc? Which rounds are likely to be cut soon? And will MotoGP ever go electric? Out now!
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
Episode 534: Our MotoGP questions!
Adam, David, Neil and Steve decide to use the lull before the (Sepang test) storm to throw a few questions of their own for 2026 and beyond. Robots in MotoGP?! What happens when Marc retires? Who will
soundcloud.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:58 AM
A podcast with a difference this week as we tackle our own big Qs relating to the sport. How can MotoGP prepare for life without Marc? Which rounds are likely to be cut soon? And will MotoGP ever go electric? Out now!
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
soundcloud.com/the-paddock-...
Confirmation that Jorge Martin will miss next week's Sepang test.
January 28, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Confirmation that Jorge Martin will miss next week's Sepang test.
Minimal changes to the colours of Acosta & Binder’s ‘26 KTMs.
January 27, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Minimal changes to the colours of Acosta & Binder’s ‘26 KTMs.
Trackhouse's '26 Aprilias just dropped. They'll run the pretty Gulf livery at 5 weekends this year, including R1 in Thailand.
January 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Trackhouse's '26 Aprilias just dropped. They'll run the pretty Gulf livery at 5 weekends this year, including R1 in Thailand.
Yamaha's V4 unveiled. Paint job *very* similar to '25.
January 21, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Yamaha's V4 unveiled. Paint job *very* similar to '25.
New Ducati. Featuring two racing stipes.
January 19, 2026 at 10:34 AM
New Ducati. Featuring two racing stipes.
Bez didn’t talk up title hopes. Said the focus is on gaining momentum with solid results in early races. ‘After a couple of races we can set a clear target.’
January 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Bez didn’t talk up title hopes. Said the focus is on gaining momentum with solid results in early races. ‘After a couple of races we can set a clear target.’
Martin reckon’s he’s around 75% fit. Confident he’ll be fully ready for Thailand. Also said it will be super important to control emotions during what will likely be a mad silly season. ‘You can get distracted. For the moment I focus on myself and 2026.’
January 15, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Martin reckon’s he’s around 75% fit. Confident he’ll be fully ready for Thailand. Also said it will be super important to control emotions during what will likely be a mad silly season. ‘You can get distracted. For the moment I focus on myself and 2026.’
Rivola says Aprilia’s goal in ‘26 is to ‘fight like lions at every race.’ Stopped short of stating he’s aiming for the title. But ‘let’s see if the fight will bring something stronger’ than ‘25.
January 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Rivola says Aprilia’s goal in ‘26 is to ‘fight like lions at every race.’ Stopped short of stating he’s aiming for the title. But ‘let’s see if the fight will bring something stronger’ than ‘25.
Aprilia’s ‘26 challenger. Slick.
January 15, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Aprilia’s ‘26 challenger. Slick.
Aprilia launch incoming.
January 15, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Aprilia launch incoming.