By “Short circuit with walls,” the words ushered by four times race runner-up Martin Jessopp.
The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, due for its’ 58th edition next week, vibrantly each year amalgamates the essence of purpose-built circuit racing with authentic street racing thrills and prime, in-closed action.
With reigning back-to-back event winner Davey Todd absent (due to entry requirement regulations), Zeeco BMW by 8TEN Racing’s victory hopes, rest solely on Peter Hickman.
Overwhelming favourite to triumph this month, success next week would put Hickman (88 plate-holder) one behind Ron Haslam in the all-time Guia-Circuit bikes winners list.
MANN-FILTER are adding their weight to Hickman’s five-times victory-objective, via co-sponsorship.
Commenting about aligning with the fourteen times TT winner, Sponsoring Manager for the German company which specialises in filtration-technology, Filippina Manou, stated:
“Macau marks an exciting new chapter for MANN-FILTER. Motorcycle racing is new territory for us, and we are looking forward to gaining new experiences together with Peter, his 8TEN Racing team and BMW Motorrad.
The courage and performance of the riders deserve our utmost respect. With our shared passion for German engineering, performance, and innovation, I am excited to see where this partnership will take us.”
2026 Classic TT winners Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing/Crowe Performance – Honda) and Rob Hodson (SMT Racing – Honda) will both be eyeing first-time Macau podium finishes.
Same applies to hill-climbing doyen, No.1 Guia Circuit newcomer last year, Maurizio Bottalico (RVS Motorsport – BMW). Austrian ace Julian Trummer, lines-up aside Bottalico in the RVS Motorsport, ran by 2022 event winner, Erno Kostamo.
Mikey Evans (Dafabet Racing – Honda), Phil Crowe (Jackson Racing/Crowe Performance – BMW), Amalric Blanc (Amalric Racing #25/Griffiths & Son/HML – Honda), ‘Spartacus’ Marcus Simpson (Penz 13 Racing Team – BMW), Sam West (Moto-hub.co.uk – BMW), Eddy Ferre (Optimark – Honda), Timothee Monot (TMR – Yamaha), Martin Morris (Redspeed International/EBC Group/Adam Hewitt – Honda), Olivier Lupberger (Heidger-Motorsport – Yamaha) join Trummer, Bottalico, Jordan, Hodson in eyeing new competitiveness levels at Asia’s top street race.
Wrapping up the nine-nations represented, twenty-racer start-list are six Guia Circuit first-timers.
Kells Supersport race winner Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing – Honda), inaugural ESR (European Series Road Racing) Champion Fedrik Matthys (Hoffmann by MRP – BMW), Florian Astner (Penz 13 Racing Team – BMW).
Aaron Spence (Sebden Steel/Spence Engineering – Honda), Mark Hewitt (Dent Boy Ltd – BMW) and Dean McMaster (AIR NI Racing – Kawasaki).
58th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix competition schedule, is-detailed below:
(Local time)
19th November:
06:00 AM – Roads close
07:45-08:15 AM – Free practice session
08:25-08:55 AM – Opening qualifying session
6:00 PM – Roads re-open
20th November:
06:00 AM – Roads close
07:45-08:15 AM – Free practice session
08:25-08:55 AM – Second qualifying session
6:00 PM – Roads re-open
21st November:
06:00 AM – Roads close
07:10-07:30 AM – Morning warm-up
09:10-10:00 AM – Race – Twelve Laps
6:00 PM – Roads re-open
Quotes courtesy of MANN + Hummel press team.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
