MotoGP is gearing up to ban the “holeshot device” starting next season, but the debate over its safety at the start of races remains heated among riders. While some see it as a catalyst for chaos and crashes, others argue the real problem lies elsewhere, within the very nature of race starts.
Safety on MotoGP circuits is a constant concern, and following recent spectacular crashes, four proposals have been put forward to improve it. One of the most significant involves banning the much-discussed “holeshot device.” This system, which lowers the bike to reduce wheelies under acceleration, enhances performance. However, its disengagement, often linked to heavy braking, could pose a problem, especially in the rapid sequences of the first corner. The idea is to remove it this year on certain tracks before a full ban in 2024. But in the paddock, opinions diverge sharply on the device’s actual role in incidents.
Jack Miller: A Critic of the “Holeshot Device”
For Jack Miller, the “holeshot device” has become an aggravating factor in start-line chaos. The Australian believes the widespread use of this tool, which negates the advantage of some riders, forces everyone to brake excessively and unpredictably into the first corner. “We all arrive at the same time, we all have to brake enormously,” he explains, pointing to inconsistent braking reactions as a problem directly linked to the device. He suggests this effect may have contributed to Johann Zarco’s crash during the second start at Barcelona, where a difference in braking reaction was observed.
Johann Zarco crashed during the second start in Barcelona.
Miller emphasizes that Barcelona, with its tight and fast first corner, has always been a tricky spot, and the high-speed approach combined with the “holeshot device” effect makes the situation even more critical. The idea is that the irregular disengagement of the system, coupled with speed, creates situations where riders struggle to find a stable braking point, increasing the risk of contact or loss of control.
Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio: Device as Stabilizer, Not Danger
In contrast to Miller’s view, Pecco Bagnaia defends the “holeshot device.” For the reigning world champion, the device is actually a stabilizing element. Without it, bikes would wheelie more on the straights, potentially making starts more dangerous. He argues that the number of injuries hasn’t increased with the use of these systems and that the danger lies more in riders’ desire to gain maximum positions early in the race, knowing it’s difficult to overtake later. “The devices aren’t more dangerous,” he states, recalling that first-corner incidents have always happened.
Pecco Bagnaia does not consider the “holeshot device” dangerous at the start.
Fabio Di Giannantonio shares this opinion. He highlights that everyone uses the same equipment, making any advantage null. The real danger, according to him, stems from the nature of the starts themselves: all riders arrive at the first corner simultaneously, at different speeds than they will later in the race, making the braking point an uncontrollable variable. “We don’t have a clear reference for braking,” he notes, pointing out that on some circuits, the approach speed is unusually high, amplifying the risk.
Bezzecchi: Danger is Inherent to Racing
Marco Bezzecchi, the current championship leader, adopts a similar stance. For him, the first corner after a start is inherently dangerous, regardless of the bike or the technology on board. MotoGP speeds are far higher than in lower categories, making braking extremely difficult. He doesn’t see the “holeshot device” as the primary cause of start-line crashes, though he acknowledges that some circuits, like Le Mans, present specific challenges related to less intense braking into the first corner. He concludes that mistakes are an integral part of racing, and no one is exempt.
The general idea shared by Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, and Bezzecchi is that the “holeshot device” is not the main culprit. Riders aim to maximize their position from the outset, and this aggression, combined with the specific nature of first corners on certain tracks, creates risky situations. The upcoming ban may therefore not, by itself, solve the problem of start-line crashes.
Key Takeaways on the “Holeshot Device” and MotoGP Safety
- Diverging Opinions: Riders are divided on the “holeshot device’s” role in start-line accidents.
- Arguments for Ban: Some deem it responsible for increased chaos and unpredictable braking.
- Arguments Against Ban: Others believe it stabilizes the bike and that the danger comes from aggressive starts.
- Nature of Starts: Difficulty finding a consistent braking point into the first corner is cited as a major risk factor.
- Circuit Context: Approach speed and the configuration of initial corners play a crucial role.
- Upcoming Ban: The device will be banned in 2024, but the debate over its safety implications remains open.
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