Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Keen to Start European Leg of the 2026 MotoGP Calendar in Spain
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are gearing up for Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Spain, held at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto this weekend.
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 22nd April 2026
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are looking forward to starting Round 4 of the 2026 MotoGP calendar: the Grand Prix of Spain held at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto this weekend. The teammates are shaping up for a busy few days as the Spanish GP is directly followed by a one-day IRTA test.
Quartararo, who turned 27 last Monday, is eager to reconnect with the European fans. Currently 17th in the championship standings, the Frenchman hopes to use the upcoming weekend and the Jerez Test to collect useful data. El Diablo has an impressive Jerez record: he won both opening GPs of the 2020 season at the circuit – his first two premier-class victories – and returned to the podium with second-place finishes in 2022 and last year.
Rins comes to Jerez sitting in 18th overall after a difficult US GP but is determined to bounce back. He is looking forward to the electric Jerez atmosphere to provide an extra boost. The number-42 rider first reached the Spanish GP podium in 2014 with a third place in Moto3, repeated the result in Moto2 in 2016, and secured second place in MotoGP in 2019.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.42km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
"We return to racing after a three-week break and begin the European leg of the season at Jerez. Not only is this a venue the entire team enjoys, it's also a track where the fans truly feel the excitement of MotoGP. This round is also the start of an important period. The schedule ahead is very demanding, with eight races in less than twelve weeks before the summer break. On top of that, we also have the Jerez Test on Monday. The team will approach this weekend with fresh motivation and our usual maximum effort. We aim to hit our targets step by step through continuous work in every session, proceeding with the learning process with the new bike."
FABIO QUARTARARO Rider, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
"It's nice to be back in action after a three-week break, and starting the European part of the season is always something we look forward to. Jerez is a track with a special atmosphere, the fans are amazing, and you really feel that energy as soon as you arrive. I have good memories at this track. It's special to me because I won my first MotoGP victory here. We have a busy period ahead with a lot of races in a short time, so the focus is on working step by step and doing our best every weekend."
ÁLEX RINS Rider, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
"We've had a few weeks without racing, but now we're back. I'm sure the fans are happy about that! The atmosphere in Jerez is always great, and it's a circuit I enjoy riding. We know the next couple of months will be very intense with many races close together, so the goal is to stay focused, keep working with the team, and give our maximum each time we're on track."
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director