Holeshot device
A gadget that squats the bike down at the start for a harder launch off the line, then releases.
Why it matters
It lowers the bike's suspension at the start to stop wheelies and maximise launch speed.
// Plain English · Beginner-safe
Jargon Buster
Heard a word mid-race and lost the plot? Look it up here. Every term, flag and bit of tech — explained in one plain sentence, with what to actually watch for on screen.
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On the Bike
09Intermediate tyres
In-between tyres for a damp track that is neither fully wet nor properly dry.
What to watch for
A part-treaded tyre gamble when the track is drying but not yet dry.
Ride-height device
A system that lowers the bike on corner exit and straights for better drive and lower drag.
Why it matters
It drops the bike low on corner exit for more drive and less drag down the straight.
Slick tyres
Completely smooth dry-weather tyres — no tread, so the maximum amount of rubber touches the track for grip.
What to watch for
Perfectly bald tyres on a dry track; any grooves mean it's wet or intermediate rubber.
Slipstream
The pocket of calmer air directly behind another bike. Sitting in it means less wind resistance — so you can carry more speed for free.
What to watch for
A trailing rider tucking in tight down the straight, then darting out sideways to pass.
Swingarm
The pivoting arm that connects the rear wheel to the bike and lets the suspension move.
What to watch for
The long arm running from the frame to the rear wheel, flexing over kerbs and bumps.
Tyre degradation
The gradual loss of grip as a tyre wears and overheats through a race.
Why it matters
Late-race lap times climb and riders start sliding — managing 'deg' often decides the winner.
Wet tyres
Grooved tyres that channel water away so the bike can grip a wet track.
What to watch for
Deep grooves flinging up spray — the tell-tale sign the track is properly wet.
Winglets
Small wings on the bodywork that create downforce to keep the front wheel down and improve stability.
What to watch for
Fins and wing shapes on the front fairing, especially either side of the bike's nose.
Riding Style
03Highside
A violent crash where the sliding rear tyre suddenly grips again and flicks the rider up and over the top of the bike.
What to watch for
The rear tyre violently kicking upward mid-corner, throwing the rider clear of the bike.
Lean angle
How far the bike is tipped from vertical through a corner — MotoGP riders pass 60°.
What to watch for
Elbow and knee sliders scraping along the tarmac in the fast, sweeping corners.
Sandbagging
Deliberately hiding your true pace in practice so rivals underestimate you.
What to watch for
A quick rider mysteriously down the timesheets, hiding their true pace until it matters.
Racing Lines
02Apex
The innermost point of a corner — the tightest part of the turn that a rider aims to clip to carry the most speed onto the next straight.
What to watch for
Riders brushing the inside kerb at the middle of a bend, just before the bike stands up and fires out.
Dry line
The strip of track that dries first as rubber and warmth build up, giving the most grip.
What to watch for
A darker, cleaner ribbon snaking around the circuit — riders hunting grip glue themselves to it.
Race Weekend
14Flag-to-flag
A race where the weather changes and riders pit to switch bikes without the race stopping.
Why it matters
The whole order can reshuffle in seconds as riders gamble on exactly when to switch bikes.
Holeshot
Getting to the first corner in the lead off the start line.
What to watch for
The rider who nails the launch and pops out first at turn one — not always the pole-sitter.
Jump start
Moving before the lights go out at the start — it earns a penalty.
Why it matters
Move before the lights go out and a penalty is coming — watch for the long lap that follows.
Long lap penalty
A penalty that sends a rider through a longer detour off the racing line, costing a second or so.
Why it matters
You'll see a rider peel off onto a painted loop and rejoin a place or two further back.
Paddock
The fenced-off working area behind the pits where teams, hospitality and motorhomes are based.
What to watch for
The maze of team trucks and hospitality units behind the garages, buzzing between sessions.
Parc fermé
A controlled area where the top bikes are held after the session for checks, with no team work allowed.
Why it matters
No spanners allowed — bikes are locked away for scrutineering after the flag.
Pit board
A hand-held board teams hang out at the track wall to signal gaps and messages to their rider.
What to watch for
A crew member leaning over the wall with a board of numbers as their rider flashes past.
Pit lane
The slow lane beside the track where teams work on the bikes and riders enter and exit.
What to watch for
Riders slowing right down and peeling into the garages alongside the main straight.
Pole position
First place on the starting grid, earned by the fastest qualifying lap.
Why it matters
Starting from the cleanest, shortest line into turn one is a genuine head start.
Practice
Sessions before qualifying where riders set up the bike; the combined times decide who goes straight to Q2.
Why it matters
The combined-time cut decides who skips Q1 and goes straight to Q2 — every lap counts.
Qualifying
The timed sessions that set the starting order, split into Q1 and Q2 for the front rows.
What to watch for
Single fast laps on fresh tyres, riders hunting a tow — the grid order takes shape.
Sprint race
A short Saturday race over half the distance, awarding points to the top nine finishers.
Why it matters
Half the laps and no pit stops — it's flat out from the lights, with championship points on the line.
Track limits
The painted edges of the track; running beyond them can cancel a lap time or earn a warning.
Why it matters
Run wide over the green paint and a lap time or position can be scrubbed.
Warm-up lap
The lap to the grid before the start, used to heat the tyres and brakes.
What to watch for
Riders weaving hard and grabbing the brakes on the lap to the grid to heat everything up.
Flags
04Double yellow flags
A stronger warning of a serious hazard — be ready to stop, no overtaking.
What to watch for
Two yellows waved together — a serious hazard, be ready to stop and absolutely no passing.
Red flag
A flag that stops the session immediately, usually for a crash or weather.
Why it matters
Everyone returns to the pits and the race may be restarted or its result shortened.
White flag
A flag signalling that riders may swap to a second bike — usually as rain arrives.
What to watch for
A white flag at the marshal posts as rain arrives — the cue riders can swap bikes.
Yellow flag
A warning of danger ahead — slow down and do not overtake in that zone.
What to watch for
Marshals waving a yellow flag trackside, usually near a crash or a stranded bike.
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