Former MotoGP star reveals the toll of longer seasons on riders' health and performance
Former MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso has shed light on the physical and mental toll of the sport's extended and condensed championship calendars. In a recent interview, Dovizioso expressed his concern about the impact of the 2025 MotoGP season, which was the longest ever with 22 rounds staged between February and November. The second half of the season was particularly grueling, with two rounds held every three weekends up to the Valencia finale, and the addition of sprints to the weekend format, resulting in a total of 44 races.
The intense schedule has taken a toll on the riders' health, with multiple injuries and absences from the grid. Dovizioso noted that he has witnessed the fatigue on everyone's faces, emphasizing the physical and mental strain of the demanding race schedule. The former champion also highlighted the impact of the sprint format, which has led to repeated crashes and a significant number of races without a full grid.
World Superbike-bound Miguel Oliveira echoed Dovizioso's concerns, stating that the high intensity of the weekend format, where riders push to the limit from FP1, makes it difficult to make decisions. The Portuguese rider also mentioned the type of injuries sustained this season as a testament to the challenging conditions. The list of injured riders in 2025 includes Jorge Martin, Miguel Oliveira, Jorge Martin, Somkiat Chantra, Ai Ogura, Luca Marini, Franco Morbidelli, Somkiat Chantra, Maverick Vinales, Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin, Ai Ogura, Maverick Vinales, Marc Marquez, and Raul Fernandez, all of whom missed races due to various injuries.
Double world champion Pecco Bagnaia blamed the sprints for the increased number of injuries, emphasizing that repeated crashes are a consequence of the sprint format. Bagnaia also pointed out that the reduced grid presence, especially in some races, is a result of the two-race per weekend format, which increases the risk of accidents during starts.
Dovizioso concluded by acknowledging the challenges posed by the championship, stating that the long and intense weekends are demanding. He emphasized that when things don't go well, the strain multiplies tenfold, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to the sport's calendar to ensure the health and performance of the riders.
