The Sachsenring MotoGP sprint race was a reminder that we have been spoiled in the first half of 2026. The sprint races have been uncharacteristically thrilling and eventful. So I suppose it was only a matter of time before reality struck again, and a sprint race turned boring again. Marc Márquez held off his brother Alex Márquez fairly comfortably, while Fabio Di Giannantonio got close but could never make a move. It was an all-Ducati sprint podium for the second time this year. There were moments of tension, but no real excitement.

There are lots of reasons why Saturday’s sprint race was less than gripping. Firstly, the concept of MotoGP sprint races is flawed. Because the sprint is always half the full race distance, that makes them relatively predictable. They form a solid basis for working on the Sunday race, and the teams go into them with relatively few unknowns. WorldSBK’s Superpole race format – 10 laps, whether those be 3.5 km laps or 5.5 kms laps, 1’20 laps or 2’00 laps – mixes things up much more.

Secondly, with less than half points available, the risk is just not worth the candle, as they say. The difference between first and second is 3 points, which is worth taking a chance, but not a big one. It is, after all, the same difference between third and fourth in a Sunday GP. Third to second is 2 points in a sprint race, which is less interesting. And the gaps for the rest of the points-paying places – fourth to ninth – are all worth 1 point extra. You are not going to put everything on the line for a single point, especially when you have a GP on Sunday in which there are a lot more points up for grabs.

Thirdly, and more specific to the German GP, is the fact that it is really difficult to pass at the Sachsenring. It is tight, and one line, with little room for maneuver. You can pass into Turn 1, or into one of the two final corners, Turn 12 at the bottom of the hill, or Turn 13 just before the start and finish line.

This means that the three prime passing places are all grouped together. So when you line up a pass, you have to spend three quarters of a lap riding behind someone, punishing the left side of the tire with no air to cool it. And that leaves you without the grip at the front to launch an attack and be sure of coming out the other side.

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