PICTURES: Clean-up, then another downpour ahead of Brazilian MotoGP
Clean-up and construction work ahead of MotoGP's Brazilian return - then another downpour arrives.
Update: After the earlier clean-up, another torrential downpour soaked the Goiania circuit on Thursday afternoon:
A major clean-up operation was put in place on the eve of the Brazilian MotoGP event after torrential rain caused flooding to parts of the Goiania circuit earlier this week.
As these pictures show, alongside the removal of dirt and debris from the track surface, paddock construction was also ongoing.
While the weather has improved, thunderstorms remain a threat throughout the race weekend, especially on Friday.
MotoGP will complete its first Brazilian grand prix laps since 2004 when riders take to the track for an extended one-hour opening practice on Friday morning.
That will be followed by a one hour and 15 minute afternoon Practice session, where the top ten riders for direct Qualifying 2 access will be decided.
Goiania last hosted a motorcycle grand prix in 1989.
Lap times for the 3.8km circuit are expected to be around a 1m 16s, which would be the shortest on the current calendar.
However, the average speed per lap is expected to be behind only Phillip Island, Buriram, Silverstone and Mugello.
KTM's Pedro Acosta will take a seven-point title lead over Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi into this weekend's second round of the 2026 championship.
In this article
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
