MotoGP just introduced a new “stability control” rule, but is it about rider safety or manufacturer politics? In this episode, we break down what it really means, who benefits, and whether it changes the sport forever.

We’ll also cover:

• Marquez’s insane control at Spielberg
• Why Bagnaia still can’t get it together
• KTM’s resurgence on home soil
• Explosive Ducati drama
• Classic rivalries: Rossi, Stoner, and Marquez
• The new Stability Control Rule
• Nuances of ABS and Traction Control
• Bagger Racing in MotoGP

Whether you’re a MotoGP die-hard or just trying to make sense of the headlines, this is your breakdown of what’s REALLY happening behind the scenes.

Quiet silly season? Kinda. Dave and Brian dig into the few real MotoGP seat moves (Miller, Oliveira, Zarco, Morbidelli), the sponsor politics, and why 2026–27 will flip the table. Then we veer delightfully off-script into design/aero (bounding-box rules, dirty air), BMW/KTM rumors, and finish with a mini masterclass on front-tire grip, trail braking, fork depth, and why you cover the lever with two fingers. Grab a coffee and ride with us.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intros: Dave & Brian set the table. 

0:41 – Why this year’s silly season is quiet (contract sync). 

11:55 – 2027 changes: Pirelli tires, no ride-height/launch devices, 850cc. 

12:24 – Bounding-box aero limits & Yamaha’s V4 packaging angle. 

14:13 – Dirty air & safety concerns from aero wakes. 

15:04 – “What would you change today?” → kill ride-height, reduce aero. 

23:16 – Prettiest MotoGP bike? Yamaha/Honda tail-discussion. 

42:18 – Contact patch 101: why braking grows it (and how). 

43:34 – Hard braking → maintaining fork depth into lean. 

44:54 – Why trail braking prevents underloaded-front crashes. 

55:21 – Wrap-up + calls to comment/subscribe. 

MotoGP 2025 is halfway through, and it’s not just Marc Marquez making headlines. In this episode of The Braking Zone, we break down the underdogs who are surprising everyone. Riders like Zarco, Quartararo, and even Pecco are rewriting the narrative. From satellite bikes outperforming factories, to champions showing cracks, we dive into who’s really overachieving, who’s quietly falling off, and why it’s all way more complicated than the podium shows. Whether you’re a hardcore MotoGP fan or just catching up, this mid-season breakdown will give you a fresh perspective on who’s actually crushing it.

• 00:00 – Welcome and intro
• 01:02 – Who’s impressed you the most this season?
• 03:30 – Bezzecchi’s breakout performance
• 05:01 – Pecco’s quiet pressure and mental game
• 10:02 – Is Luca Marini a better test rider than racer?
• 15:04 – Quartararo’s raw talent vs. team feedback
• 20:05 – Riders who may be out of their depth
• 25:05 – The path to development success
• 30:05 – Thoughts on Bruno and missed rider potential
• 35:06 – Hitting apexes under pressure
• 40:09 – Toprak, teams, and next-gen potential
• 45:16 – What personality matters in the paddock
• 50:16 – Engine braking vs. rider input
• 55:18 – Confidence, and past performances
• 60:19 – DCT quirks and wrap-up thoughts
• 63:32 – Who we are and thanks for watching