{
  "id": 17210989,
  "title": "MotoGP riders say Sepang tarmac completely “destroyed”: “It’s like a motocross track”",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/motogp-riders-say-sepang-tarmac-completely-destroyed-its-like-a",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-30T10:25:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/motogp-riders-sepang-tarmac-completely-102509778.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Several MotoGP riders have reported that the tarmac at the Sepang International Circuit is in a terrible condition ahead of the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix. Riders have been struck by loose pieces of asphalt during the opening two practice sessions, with at least one rider suffering minor bruises. The track was supposed to be resurfaced this year ahead of the MotoGP race, but construction was delayed due to unforeseen issues. Marquees Luca Marini described the surface as \"destroyed\", noting that \"every corner is a disaster, apart from Turn 7 and 8.\" Fellow rider Fabio Di Giannantonio joked that riders may need to wear chest protection to guard against flying debris, with many rocks coming from the asphalt. Reigning Malaysian GP winner Alex Marquez admitted the conditions were borderline in several sections, while Ducati's Marc Marquez stopped short of describing them as dangerous.",
  "summary": "Delayed resurfacing work has left MotoGP riders complaining about the deteriorating track surface at Sepang",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "Alex Marquez: MotoGP hurting future of young riders with punishing format",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/alex-marquez-motogp-hurting-future-of-young-riders-with-punishing",
        "published": "2026-10-28T10:03:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}