MotoGP Bikes to Parade at Formula 1 US GP
Four riders will showcase MotoGP machinery at COTA before Formula 1 qualifying.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Motorsports
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Four riders will complete demonstration laps on MotoGP bikes at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. The parade is scheduled to take place before the third free practice session.
Why it matters
Liberty Media acquired the MotoGP championship in 2025 and aims to build a partnership between the two racing series. The demonstration is designed to generate interest in MotoGP among the Formula 1 fan base.
Four riders will participate in the demonstration at the Austin track. The event is expected to draw a crowd of approximately 400,000 people to COTA.
The players
Liberty Media
This American media company owns the Formula 1 and MotoGP championships.
Dani Pedrosa
He is a professional motorcycle racer who will participate in the demonstration laps.
Nicolo Bulega
This rider will perform in the parade and is set to compete for VR46 Ducati in 2027.
Andrea Dovizioso
He is a veteran motorcycle racer and one of the four participants in the Austin exhibition.
Lorenzo Savadori
He is a professional rider who will join the demonstration at the Circuit of the Americas.
The details
Riders Dani Pedrosa, Nicolo Bulega, Andrea Dovizioso, and Lorenzo Savadori will ride the bikes during the demonstration laps. This exhibition occurs on the same day as the Formula 1 qualifying session.
Timeline
October 2026: The four-bike demonstration parade takes place.
2025: Liberty Media acquired the MotoGP championship.
2027: Nicolo Bulega will compete in MotoGP for VR46 Ducati.
Season Trajectory
This demonstration marks a visible step in the ongoing cross-promotion efforts between MotoGP and Formula 1. It signals a shift toward unified event programming under Liberty Media's control of both properties.
Fans in attendance at COTA will see the demonstration before the scheduled Formula 1 FP3 session. The presence of Nicolo Bulega in the lineup provides an early look at a rider slated for a 2027 seat with VR46 Ducati.
The takeaway
This event represents a deliberate effort to cross-pollinate audiences between two of the world's most popular motorsport series. Attendees should prioritize arriving before the FP3 session to catch the demonstration laps on the circuit.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming racing events, visit the Motorsports section.
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