Cover image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS
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If you were wondering what the road closures and commotion in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday were about, it was only the largest motorsports event happening in the country
The prestigious 2026 MotoGP season officially kicked off on 7 February in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Following last year's precedent in Bangkok, the event brought together every team, rider, and new machine together for a high-profile reveal just weeks before the season opener in Thailand.
Kuala Lumpur hosted the second-ever MotoGP season launch to a highly positive reception
While Singapore was originally slated to host this year's launch, the tight schedule following the Sepang pre-season test — which ended only a day earlier — made logistics too challenging.
To ensure a smooth transition from track to the stage, organisers opted for Kuala Lumpur, a city with a deep-rooted motorsports history.
MotoGP transformed Kuala Lumpur's iconic skyline into a street circuit on Saturday night, 7 February
The heart of the capital became a massive paddock as 11 teams set up garages in the shadow of the PETRONAS Twin Towers, complete with a makeshift pit lane and a closed-off road for a high-speed urban show run.
Pramac Yamaha and LCR Honda led the charge, with riders pulling wheelies and stoppies for thousands of fans along the barriers. As the 2025 Manufacturers' Champion, Ducati closed the show with its factory team, including reigning world champion Marc Marquez.
Despite missing the recent Sepang test for surgery, Jorge Martin made a high-profile return on his Aprilia RS-GP, signalling he is fit for the season opener.
The night's performances kept fans thoroughly entertained
The night wrapped up with performances by Malaysian girl group Dolla, British DJ and producer PAWSA, and Irish pop rock band The Script.
