The MotoGP paddock is once again divided over the use of the height adjustment device, also known as the holeshot device, following a series of incidents at Le Mans and Silverstone. Álex Márquez’s crash at the British GP has reignited discussions around rider safety and whether the device should be banned before the 2027 regulation changes phase it out.
Designed to lower the bike for better acceleration and quicker starts, the device can sometimes fail to disengage in time—especially on tracks without heavy braking zones. This has led to risky situations, including Márquez’s fall and multiple setup issues for riders like Fabio Quartararo and Enea Bastianini.
Álex Márquez called for possible restrictions on using the device during starts at specific circuits, particularly Le Mans. Johann Zarco agreed, suggesting a rider-wide consensus to determine when the device should be used.
Marc Márquez admitted that while the device simplifies a rider’s job, it also reduces the sport’s technical challenge and increases safety risks. Aleix Espargaró, who recently returned as a wildcard, went further—labeling the system “dangerous” and unhelpful for road bike development.
Despite rider concerns, manufacturers remain reluctant to give up the competitive edge these devices provide, making any immediate ban unlikely. But the growing chorus of safety concerns may push for new compromises before the full ban arrives in 2027.
