In the run-up to the first MotoGP race in 2026, Aprilia’s offensive in the test phase did not turn out to be a bubble. All four RS-GP from Noale made it into the second qualifying. Marco Bezzecchi followed up the qualifying with action: 1st place on the grid for the Italian and under Raúl Fernández another Aprilia stormed into the front row. Caught in the Aprilia sandwich – world champion Marc Márquez, who gave his all in Q2 but fell to Bezzecchi by 0.035 s.
In row 2 the next Aprilia. Jorge Martín has overcome his injury, but it was unclear whether the Spaniard from 5th position would be able to keep up with the lead again over the race distance. In addition to the “Martinator”, two other large calibers had positioned themselves in the form of Ducati racer Fabio Di Giannantonio and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing figurehead. Only behind in position was the Gresini driver, runner-up world champion Alex Márquez, who was consistent in the winter tests. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse), Franco Morbidelli (VR46) and the first Honda rider, Joan Mir, thought they had the best chance of scoring points at the start as part of the top ten.
On the other hand, Pecco Bagnaia with starting position 13 and the fastest Yamaha rider in Thailand, Fabio Quartararo (16th), had a very poor starting position. Ducati rider Fermin Aldeguer isn’t even at the start in Buriram.
The weather was stable before the first showdown. The pilots completed the inspection lap at an air temperature of 34 degrees and light clouds. As the field nervously prepared for Round 1 of the new season, only one question hung over the Chang International Circuit: Bezzecchi or Márquez?
World champion Marc Marquez finally turned into turn 1 as the first leader of the year! Behind them Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez and Alex Marquez, who started very well. But the vice world champion braked in turn 3, bumped into Fabio Di Giannantonio and fell further back. Pedro Acosta, who was now in 4th place, was a big beneficiary.
Marco Bezzecchi attacked on lap 1 and the lead changed several times before the end of the lap. Marco Bezzecchi answered the big question just over a kilometer away. The Italian overdid it while in the lead and lost control of his bike. The dream of an opening victory was over – and Marc Marquez took over.
But the champion had no peace, because KTM rider Acosta had decided to get Fernandez and quickly closed the gap to number 93. At the end of the third lap, the youngster even took the lead, but Marc Marquez immediately countered. Behind the two Spaniards were two other compatriots, Raul Fernandez and Jorge Martin, both on prototypes from Noale.
In lap 8 the fight for victory came to a head. Acosta pushed past the world champion again in the last corner – but “MM93” got the better exit and was back in the front at the braking point before Turn 1. Trackhouse driver Fernandez was in a safe third place at this point. Martin, Ogura, Mir and Binder followed. Only behind was Pecco Bagnaia, who had improved to 8th place.
Pedro Acosta remained aggressive and worked his way past Marquez again on laps 10 and 11, but the youngster was repeatedly caught by the Ducati hero on the straight. In the penultimate lap there was a brilliant showdown. Acosta caught Marc Marquez by surprise in turn 7. Now it was Marc Marquez’s turn to counter in the last corner. Marquez went hard. Too hard. The Marshalls deemed the attack unsportsmanlike. Marc Marquez had to fall behind Acosta again. We were in the final laps – so Pedro Acosta’s first MotoGP victory was finally a reality.
Behind Marquez and Acosta, an Aprili triple came over the line in the order of Fernandez, Ogura and Jorge Martin. KTM rider Brad Binder took 6th place ahead of the first Honda under Joan Mir.
The rookies remained without points in the thriller opener. Diogo Moreira crossed the line in 13th place, Toprak Razgatlioglu was 21st and second to last. The sprint wasn’t just bitter for Marco Bezzecchi. After his early mistake, Alex Marquez also missed out on World Cup points in eleventh place. Jorge Martin can be happy with 5th place in the comeback. On the other hand, the emotional situation at Honda is mixed. Although all RC213Vs crossed the finish line, only Joan Mir scored points in seventh place. Completely behind: Yamaha with Fabio Quartararo – 16th place.
