Pol Espargaro has warned that MotoGP riders may struggle to adapt to the new machinery ahead of the 2027 rule changes.
MotoGP is anticipating its new era at the end of the current campaign, with the engine size reduced to 850cc and the banning of ride height devices.
Another one of the biggest changes is that Michelin no longer be the series’ tyre supplier, with Pirelli coming in to replace the French manufacturer.
Pirelli already supplies the tyres in Moto2 and WorldSBK, with five riders expected to join the grid from those respective series in 2027.
Espargaro, who currently acts as a test rider for KTM, has warned that there may be a big performance shift with the new regulations, machinery and tyres.
“It’s a different world. Next year it can happen that riders who are not performing this year, are going to be super fast next year,” Espargaro said via Crash.net.
“And the opposite, riders that are super quick this year they are not going to perform next year.
“The bike has changed massively, power is much less, the tyres force you to ride in a very different way.”
Espargaro also suggested it would be hard for current MotoGP riders to adapt their riding styles to the new machines, with the tyres proving to be a big sticking point.
The Spaniard also believes that in its current form, the 2027 machines are closer to what Moto2 riders are currently riding as opposed to the premier class bikes.
“It’s going to be difficult for the riders that are currently in the MotoGP category to adapt after many years with the Michelin.
“The riders that are going to jump from Moto2 are going to have a big advantage at the beginning, because of the way of riding.
“I believe it’s more close to the Moto2 [bike] than the MotoGP at the moment.”
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