By “Short circuit with walls,” the words ushered by four times race runner-up Martin Jessopp.
The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, due for its’ 57th edition next week, vibrantly each year amalgamates the essence of purpose-built circuit racing with authentic street racing thrills and prime, in-closed action.
Aiming to end a character-building season in prosperous style, TT Races lap-record holder Peter Hickman is setting his sights on going third in the all-time two-wheel, Guia Circuit winners list.
Triumphant two years ago, last year saw Hickman’s team-mate, co team-owner of 8TEN Racing Davey Todd (2025 Superbike TT conqueror), declared overall event winner, with results determined via the only qualifying session to take place after persistent deteriorating weather.
Whilst Hickman, Todd start arguably-strong-favourites for honours, 2022 winner, fellow M1000RR BMW occupant Erno Kostamo (Racing for Inclusion by RVS) could throw a spanner in the works.
Setting this season, new lap-records at Imatranajo, Horice and Frohburger Dreieck, the rapid Finnish rider, who was runner-up last year, will be looking to show his credentials again, against the international road racing ‘Aliens.’
Team-mate, Guia Circuit returner David ‘Davo’ Johnson, Armoy ‘Man of The Meeting’ Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper 2 – Honda), Super Twins TT Race 1 podium finisher Rob Hodson (SMT Racing – Honda), all have the potential to capture elite finishes.
Ulster Road Race Superbike Champion Michael Sweeney (Martin Jones Racing – BMW), Sam West (Moto Hub – BMW), France’s fastest TT racer Amalric Blanc (Team Abef Bro – Honda), Phil Crowe (Crowe Performance/Bottalico – BMW) all return.
As does IRRC ‘King Pins,’ joining forces for Macau, Laurent Hoffmann (Hoffmann and LM by MRP – BMW) and Lukas Maurer (Hoffmann and LM by MRP – Yamaha).
‘Spartacus’ Marcus Simpson (WH Racing Team Powered by Dynobike – Honda), Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams (Lee Williams Motorsport – Honda) and Supersport Manx Grand Prix rostrum finisher Ryan Whitehall (WR Racing – Yamaha).
Three racers make their event bows, all established roads/street racing specialists.
The speediest solo newcomer of TT 2025, three times New Zealand Superbike Champion, Cemetery Circuit Races lap-record holder Mitch Rees (Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper 2 – Honda), is New Zealand’s first Guia Circuit campaigner in fourteen years, following legendary fellow antipodean Bruce Anstey.
Joining him on the starting-list as Guia Circuit newbies are European hill climbing doyen, Manx Grand Prix podium finisher Maurizio Bottalico (Crowe Performance/Bottalico – BMW), Optimark Road Racing’s Eddy Ferre and third place finisher from the final Steve Henshaw titled Gold Cup race at Scarborough, Don Gilbert (WR Racing – Suzuki).
57th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix competition schedule, is-detailed below:
(Local time)
13th November:
06:00 AM – Roads close
07:45-08:45 AM – Sole practice session
6:00 PM – Roads re-open
14th November:
06:00 AM – Roads close
07:45-08:45 AM – Sole qualifying session
6:00 PM – Roads re-open
15th November:
06:00 AM – Roads close
07:10-07:30 AM – Morning warm-up
09:10-10:00 AM – Race – 12 Laps
6:00 PM – Roads re-open
Photo credit: GCS
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
