Jerez

The Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto hosts the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix in 2026 as part of the FIM Road Racing World Championship season. This race at Jerez brings together riders from the lightweight class on one of Spain's most celebrated racing circuits. Fans can expect close competition and passionate crowds at this stop on the Moto3 calendar.

The 2026 Moto3 Race at Jerez

The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez represents a major event for the Moto3 class. The race weekend includes free practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the main race on Sunday. The 2026 season sees Moto3 continue as the lightweight category of the FIM Road Racing World Championship. Proposed changes for 2026 may move Moto2 and Moto3 activities into dedicated temporary facilities, separated from the main MotoGP paddock.

Circuit Details

The Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto sits near Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. This motorcycle racing circuit measures 4.423 km (2.748 mi) and features 13 turns, with 5 left-hand corners and 8 right-hand corners. The venue can accommodate up to 125,000 spectators, though capacity crowds sometimes reach 200,000.

The track combines fast straights with technical corners at various speeds. Riders must demonstrate precision and skill across sections like Curva Lorenzo and the sweeping Sito Pons corner. The circuit opened on December 8, 1985, and received its current name in 2018 to honor Spanish motorcycling legend Ángel Nieto, who passed away in 2017.

A major remodeling in 1992 removed the original chicane and created a parabolic curve, establishing the current length for motorcycle racing. In 2002, the distinctive UFO-shaped structure was added over the start/finish straight. Curva Dani Pedrosa, the sixth corner, was renamed in 2019 to honor the retired three-time world champion.

Provisional Participants for 2026

The complete list of participants for the 2026 Moto3 season will be confirmed closer to the race. Provisional team and rider lineups have begun to emerge. Teams will use constructors including Honda and KTM.

Provisional Team Lineups

Gryd – MLav Racing (Honda) fields Eddie O'Shea from the UK and Joel Kelso from Australia. Honda Team Asia (Honda) includes Veda Pratama from Indonesia and Zen Mitani from Japan. Leopard Racing features Adrián Fernández from Spain and Guido Pini from Italy.

Rivacold Snipers Team lists Nicola Carraro from Italy and Jesús Ríos from Spain. Sic58 Squadra Corse includes Leo Rammerstorfer from Austria and Casey O'Gorman from the Republic of Ireland. CFMoto Aspar Team (KTM) has Máximo Quiles from Spain and Marco Morelli from Argentina.

CIP Green Power fields Adrián Cruces from Spain and Scott Ogden from the UK. Code Motorsports includes Cormac Buchanan from New Zealand and Ruché Moodley from South Africa. Frinsa – MT Helmets – MSi features Ryusei Yamanaka from Japan and Hakim Danish from Malaysia.

LevelUp – MTA lists Matteo Bertelle from Italy and Joel Esteban from Spain. Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP has David Almansa from Spain and David Muñoz from Spain. Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) includes Brian Uriarte from Spain and Álvaro Carpe from Spain. Red Bull KTM Tech3 fields Rico Salmela from Finland and Valentín Perrone from Argentina.

Several riders will make their full-time debuts in the lightweight class while others move between teams for the 2026 season.

Technical Specifications

Moto3 motorcycles are prototype racing machines. Pirelli continues as the exclusive tire supplier for the Moto3 World Championship in 2026. Moto3 riders have access to two front and two rear slick tire solutions: soft SC1 and medium SC2 compounds. The minimum rear tire pressure for Moto3 bikes stands at 1.50 bar (22 PSI).

Engine specifications remain frozen for the season, with limited exceptions for factories in concession Rank D if they change rank. The FIM Grand Prix World Championship regulations for Moto3 were published on January 30, 2026.

Racing History at Jerez

Jerez has a strong motorcycling heritage. Street races like the "Trofeo de la Merced" attracted top riders in the 1960s, which led to the construction of a permanent circuit. The Circuito de Jerez hosted its first FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in 1987 and has remained on the calendar since then.

Spain has historically achieved the most success at Jerez, securing numerous Grand Prix victories across all classes. Notable past winners at this circuit include Valentino Rossi, who holds the record for most victories with eight wins across various classes.

Notable Features

The Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto ranks among Spain's busiest circuits. The venue hosts official race events, private testing, track days, and driving schools throughout the year. The mild climate allows year-round operation.

The circuit is often called "the cathedral of motorcycling" due to its long history and importance in the sport. The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez draws over 180,000 spectators throughout the race weekend. The atmosphere extends beyond the circuit into the surrounding region.

The circuit's layout, with its diverse range of corners, makes it a popular venue for teams to develop their setups. Teams use the track to fine-tune mechanics and prepare for the entire season. Beyond motorcycle racing, Jerez has hosted Formula 1 Grand Prix events and remains a venue for F1 preseason testing.

The 2026 Moto3 race at Circuito de Jerez promises close racing and competitive action from the lightweight class riders. The combination of a technical circuit, passionate fans, and a strong field of riders creates a compelling spectacle for motorsports fans.