Moto2 - Chang

The Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, hosts the opening round of the 2026 FIM Moto2 World Championship. This premier motorcycle racing event takes place at one of Asia's most modern motorsport facilities. The Chang moto2 race attracts riders from around the globe who compete on the technical 4.554-kilometer track. The PT Grand Prix of Thailand marks the start of the 2026 championship season.

Chang International Circuit Details

The Chang International Circuit sits in Buriram, approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. German engineer Hermann Tilke designed this facility, which opened in October 2014. The circuit holds both FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A certifications, making it the first Thai venue to meet these international standards.

Track Configuration

The circuit measures 4.554 kilometers in length and features 12 turns. Seven right-hand corners and five left-hand corners create a clockwise layout. A 1,000-meter straight allows riders to reach high speeds. The track maintains a consistent width of 12 meters throughout. Spectators enjoy excellent views from the main grandstand, which seats 50,000 people. The total facility capacity reaches 100,000 attendees.

2026 Moto2 Riders and Teams

The 2026 Chang moto2 event features a competitive field of riders across multiple teams. American Racing fields Joe Roberts and Filip Salac. Aspar Team runs Daniel Holgado and David Alonso. BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 includes Izan Guevara and Alberto Ferrandez. The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team enters Arón Canet and Deniz Öncü.

Fantic Racing competes with Barry Baltus and Tony Arbolino. Italjet Gresini Moto2 brings Sergio García and Alonso López. Red Bull KTM Ajo fields Collin Veijer and José Antonio Rueda. Speed Up Racing runs Celestino Vietti and Luca Lunetta. Additional teams include Dynavolt Intact GP, Italtrans Racing Team, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, Klint Forward Racing, MT Helmets - MSi, and RW-Idrofoglia Racing.

Moto2 Technical Regulations

All Moto2 machines use a standardized three-cylinder 765cc Triumph engine. Teams select chassis from specialized constructors including Kalex, Boscoscuro, or Forward. The championship provides a uniform electronic management system to all competitors. Electronic rider aids such as traction control remain prohibited, placing emphasis on rider talent.

Pirelli supplies all tires for the Moto2 class. The 2026 season introduces new standard rear tires with soft SC0 and medium SC1 compounds. Front tire options include soft SC1 and medium SC2 specifications. A minimum rear tire pressure of 1.50 bar applies to all entries. Each bike and rider combination must weigh at least 217 kilograms. Riders receive an allocation of seven engines for the complete season. Engine specifications remain frozen from the previous season, limiting major performance developments.

Circuit History and Motorsport Heritage

The Chang International Circuit began operations in 2014 with the Japanese Super GT series. The venue has hosted World Superbike Championship races since 2015. MotoGP arrived at the circuit in 2018, with the inaugural Thai Grand Prix drawing 220,000 fans. The MotoGP Paddock recognized this event as the Best GP of 2018. The facility established itself as the season-opening venue for the Grand Prix of Thailand in recent years.

Thai politician and businessman Newin Chidchob developed this circuit as part of his vision to establish Buriram as a major sports destination. The city name translates to "city of happiness" in Thai. The circuit shares its location with Buriram United Football Club, contributing to the area's sporting infrastructure.

Unique Circuit Features

The Chang International Circuit includes full floodlighting capabilities for night racing. Two large ponds sit within the circuit perimeter, serving a functional purpose beyond aesthetics. These water features improve air circulation and help reduce humidity in Thailand's hot climate. The facility combines modern engineering with practical solutions for the local environment.

The moto2 race at Chang International Circuit showcases intermediate-class motorcycle racing at a world-class facility. Riders demonstrate their skills on machinery that emphasizes pure racing ability without electronic assistance. The 2026 season opener provides fans with close competition across multiple manufacturers and teams on the technical Buriram circuit.