MotoGP Explained: Rules, Scoring & How to Watch Live

MotoGP isn’t just motorcycle racing—it’s the most extreme motorsport on the planet. Riders hit 225 mph (362 km/h) with no seatbelts, no power steering, and no Second Chances. These machines accelerate faster than a Formula 1 car, and riders lean so deep into corners that they scrape their knees, elbows, and even shoulders on the tarmac.

With 20+ Grands Prix around the world, MotoGP is a global battle of speed, skill, and survival. If you’ve never watched before, NOW is the time.

Want to follow the 2025 season? Check out our Racing Schedules to stay updated!

What is MotoGP?

MotoGP is the top level of motorcycle racing, featuring the fastest race bikes on Earth—1000cc, over 300 horsepower, and capable of reaching 225+ mph. Unlike production-based series like World Superbike (WSBK), MotoGP bikes are one-of-a-kind prototypes, built purely for competition.

20 riders, 11 teams compete in a 20+ race season across 5 continents. No ABS, no traction control like street bikes.

Three racing classes:

• Moto3 – 250cc, lightweight bikes (for rising stars).

• Moto2 – 765cc, mid-level power (stepping stone to MotoGP).

• MotoGP – 1000cc prototypes.

MotoGP Race Weekend Format

Each Grand Prix weekend follows a three-day structure:

Friday: Free Practice (FP1 & FP2)

• Riders adjust setups & test track conditions.

• FP2 is crucial—the Top 10 automatically advance to Q2.

Saturday: Qualifying & Sprint Race

• FP3 (final setup adjustments).

• Qualifying (Q1 & Q2):

  • Top 10 from FP2 go to Q2.

  • Rest battle in Q1 for the final two Q2 spots.

  • Fastest rider in Q2 takes Pole Position (P1).

• Sprint Race:
  Half the distance, half the points.
  All-out aggression—no tire management, just flat-out racing.

Sunday: Grand Prix (Main Race)

• Full distance, full points—this is where championships are won.

• Riders push themselves and their bikes to the absolute limit.

• Strategy, tire management, and endurance play a critical role over the race distance.

How Does MotoGP Scoring Work?

Sprint Race Points System (Saturday Sprints)

1st – 12 points
2nd – 9 points
3rd – 7 points
4th – 6 points
5th – 5 points
6th – 4 points
7th – 3 points
8th – 2 points
9th – 1 point

Points System (Sunday Grand Prix – Full Race)

1st – 25 points
2nd – 20 points
3rd – 16 points
4th – 13 points
5th – 11 points
6th – 10 points
7th – 9 points
8th – 8 points
9th – 7 points
10th – 6 points
11th – 5 points
12th – 4 points
13th – 3 points
14th – 2 points
15th – 1 point

The rider with the most points at the end of the season wins the MotoGP World Championship.

MotoGP Riders: The Superhumans of Racing

MotoGP riders aren’t just elite athletes—they are among the most physically and mentally demanding competitors in any sport. Each race requires an extraordinary blend of strength, precision, reflexes, and endurance, all while piloting 300+ horsepower machines at extreme speeds with zero margin for error.

• Sustained Heart Rates of 190–200 BPM
  During a 40-minute race, a MotoGP rider's heart rate can average over 190 beats per minute, which is similar to what elite endurance athletes experience during high-intensity efforts. That’s like running a marathon while making split-second decisions every few seconds—and doing it in 100°F leathers.

• Massive Fluid Loss: Up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs) of Sweat
  Due to high ambient temperatures, physical exertion, and full leather race suits, riders can lose over 3 kg (6.6 lbs) of body weight in sweat alone during a race. This level of dehydration can impair performance and focus, making hydration and recovery crucial between sessions.

• Unstrapped at 200+ MPH
  Unlike F1 drivers who are secured with harnesses inside protective cockpits, MotoGP riders are completely exposed. There are no seatbelts. If a rider crashes, they’re ejected from the bike and hit the ground or gravel traps at speeds over 200 mph, relying entirely on body armor and instinct to survive.

• Constant Body Movement and Core Load
  Riders shift their entire body weight from one side of the bike to the other through every corner—hundreds of times per race. This demands extreme core strength, lower body stability, and flexibility. Imagine doing a one-arm push-up while hanging off the side of a moving car at 150 mph—over and over again.

• Split-Second Mental Calculations
  Riders are not only fighting G-forces and muscle fatigue, but also analyzing tire grip, engine performance, wind resistance, and their opponent’s line in real time. One lapse in concentration—just a moment of hesitation—can mean the end of the race, or worse.

• Zero Room for Error
  There’s no traction control to save them. No cage to protect them. MotoGP is pure, raw, high-risk racing—a rider’s body is the final line of defense. And yet, they consistently push the limit of what’s physically and mentally possible.

MotoGP Technology: The Most Advanced Bikes on Earth

• Seamless Shift Gearboxes – Shifts gears in milliseconds for uninterrupted power.

• Carbon Brakes – Heat-resistant up to 2,000°F (1,100°C) for extreme stopping power.

• Aero Wings – MotoGP bikes now have Formula 1-level aerodynamics, with winglets and downforce tech.

A MotoGP bike has a better power-to-weight ratio than every hypercar and even an F1 car! Only a fighter jet comes close.

Machine Weight Power Ratio (X:1)

MotoGP Bike

• Weight: 346 lbs

• Power: 300 HP

• Ratio: 1.15:1

F-16 Fighter Jet

• Weight: 27,000 lbs

• Power: 29,000 lbs thrust

• Ratio: 0.93:1

Formula 1 Car

• Weight: 1,746 lbs

• Power: 1,050 HP

• Ratio: 1.66:1

Koenigsegg Jesko

• Weight: 3,130 lbs

• Power: 1,600 HP

• Ratio: 1.96:1

Bugatti Chiron

• Weight: 4,400 lbs

• Power: 1,479 HP

• Ratio: 2.97:1

Put simply: A MotoGP bike is a 300 HP superbike with the acceleration of a fighter jet—except it’s balanced on two wheels and controlled purely by human power.

MotoGP Teams & Riders

Factory Teams

These teams receive full manufacturer support and typically have the latest machinery and tech.

Ducati Lenovo Team

• Francesco Bagnaia (#63)

• Marc Márquez (#93)

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

• Brad Binder (#33)

• Pedro Acosta (#37)

Aprilia Racing

• Jorge Martín (#1)

• Marco Bezzecchi (#72)

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

• Fabio Quartararo (#20)

• Álex Rins (#42)

Repsol Honda Team (Honda HRC)

• Joan Mir (#36)

• Luca Marini (#10)

Satellite Teams

Independent teams leasing bikes from factory manufacturers, often used to develop rising stars or refine factory technology.

Prima Pramac Racing (Yamaha)

• Miguel Oliveira (#88)

• Jack Miller (#43)

Gresini Racing MotoGP (Ducati)

• Álex Márquez (#73)

• Fermín Aldeguer (#54)

Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team (Ducati)

• Fabio Di Giannantonio (#49)

• Franco Morbidelli (#21)

Red Bull KTM Tech3

• Maverick Viñales (#12)

• Enea Bastianini (#23)

Trackhouse Racing (Aprilia)

• Raúl Fernández (#25)

• Ai Ogura (#79)

LCR Honda

• Johann Zarco (#5)

• Somkiat Chantra (#35)
  

How to Watch MotoGP Live

TV Broadcasters: MotoGP airs on ESPN, BT Sport, Sky Sports, and DAZN, depending on your country.
MotoGP VideoPass: Watch every race live with MotoGP’s official streaming service.
YouTube Highlights: Free race recaps and key moments available on MotoGP’s YouTube channel.

Find where to watch in your country: MotoGP TV Schedule

Conclusion: Ready to Experience MotoGP?

Hope this offers a better understanding of the sport, and increases your respect for the pilots that risk their lives weeken after weekend.

Want to stay updated on MotoGP? Check out our Racing Schedules to follow every round!