Sunday MotoGP Race
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) continued his remarkable run with a fifth consecutive Grand Prix victory at Circuit of the Americas, becoming only the third Italian to achieve the feat. He also secured a third straight win to start the season, a milestone last reached by Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) in 2014. Teammate Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) completed a second successive 1-2 for the factory, while Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished third.
Acosta made a strong launch to lead early, but Bezzecchi quickly took control after a close exchange between the pair. Martin slotted into third, keeping the pressure on. Behind them, battles raged between Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), with penalties and incidents affecting several riders, including Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), who later crashed out.
At the front, Bezzecchi steadily built a gap, while Martin eventually passed Acosta to secure second, giving Aprilia another dominant result. Further back, Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) impressed with aggressive moves before retiring with a technical issue.
Bezzecchi managed the closing laps to win by 1.7 seconds, extending his record run of laps led. Martin’s second place kept him firmly in the title fight, while Acosta held on for third. Di Giannantonio finished fourth, with Marc Marquez narrowly beating Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) to fifth.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Results—MotoGP Race
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | 40m 50.653s |
| 2 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +2.036s |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +4.497s |
| 4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +6.972s |
| 5 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +8.100s |
| 6 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +8.243s |
| 7 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +11.253s |
| 8 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +13.129s |
| 9 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +14.471s |
| 10 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +14.544s |
Moto2 Race
Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) returned to form with a victory in Moto2 at Circuit of the Americas, holding off Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) to secure his third career win. Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) completed the podium.
The race was heavily disrupted from the outset. A turn one collision eliminated Dani Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), before a multi-rider crash later in the lap forced a red flag. All riders were conscious, and a shortened 10-lap restart followed, with several penalties issued for earlier incidents.
At the restart, Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) led early, briefly challenged by polesitter Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), who later dropped back after serving a Long Lap Penalty. Agius soon moved into contention, taking the lead on lap three. Vietti steadily worked forward, eventually hitting the front before a fierce late-race exchange.
Agius responded with a decisive move in the closing stages and held firm under pressure to claim victory. Vietti settled for second, while Guevara secured third after a consistent ride.
David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) impressed by climbing from 17th to fourth, with Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) finishing fifth to take the championship lead. Baltus, Lopez and Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) completed the top eight.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Results—Moto2 Race
| 1 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | 21:10.744s |
| 2 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | HDR SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.497s |
| 3 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.908s |
| 4 | David Alonso | COL | CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (Kalex) | +1.843s |
| 5 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +2.729s |
| 6 | Barry Baltus | BEL | REDS Fantic Racing (Kalex) | +3.251s |
| 7 | Alonso Lopez | SPA | ITALJET Gresini Moto2 (Kalex) | +5.003s |
| 8 | Alex Escrig | SPA | KLINT Racing Team (Forward) | +6.830s |
| 9 | Joe Roberts | USA | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +7.761s |
| 10 | Tony Arbolino | ITA | REDS Fantic Racing (Kalex) | +8.740s |
Moto3 Race
Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) claimed his first Moto3 victory with a dramatic last-corner pass at Circuit of the Americas, edging Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) by just 0.056 seconds.
Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) initially led from pole ahead of Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), with Quiles quickly moving into contention. The lead group soon formed into a tight battle featuring Pini and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), before incidents reduced the pack. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP – MTA) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) were eliminated after a crash, while Fernandez later dropped out of podium contention, leaving a four-rider fight.
In the closing laps, positions changed constantly. Pini briefly hit the front before being repassed, while Carpe rejoined the fight. On the final lap, Perrone led early, but Carpe surged ahead before a series of aggressive exchanges through the final sector.
At the last corner, Carpe attempted a decisive move, forcing both himself and Perrone wide. That opened the door for Pini and Quiles, who capitalized immediately. In the sprint to the line, Pini narrowly secured victory, with Quiles second and Carpe holding on for third. Perrone was left fourth.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) completed the top five, with Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) leading a tight battle for sixth ahead of Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3).
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Results—Moto3 Race
| 1 | Guido Pini | ITA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | 31:20.489s |
| 2 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.056s |
| 3 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.254s |
| 4 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.445s |
| 5 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +9.192s |
| 6 | Adrian Cruces | SPA | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +14.914s |
| 7 | Rico Salmela | FIN | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +15.075s |
| 8 | Brian Uriarte | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +15.105s |
| 9 | Matteo Bertelle | ITA | LEVEL UP – MTA (KTM) | +15.240s |
| 10 | Scott Ogden | GBR | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +15.570s |
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas News—Saturday
Martin wins it, flips it!
Jorge Martin had a Saturday to remember. After passing Pecco Bagnaia brilliantly on the final lap to win a thrilling Sprint race, the 2024 champ then flipped his Aprilia RS-GP on the back straight after performing a victory wheelie.
“It was full send,” exclaimed Martin. “The wheelie, I knew I was going to crash at some point, because I was just wheelied in second gear, third gear, I saw it wasn’t coming up so I couldn’t control the front. Fourth gear, and then as soon as I touched the ground, I just crashed. I’m sorry for the team. But today they will be happy to work.”His first Sprint success since the 2024 Malaysian GP represents a remarkable turnaround. After missing the first preseason test due to recurring wrist and shoulder injuries, he now leads the championship. “Now we’re back in the game. We’re always in the top 5, always competitive,” he said.
Marquez blows it
Austin used to be Marc Marquez’s playground. But this weekend has become something of an ordeal. As well as crashing at close to 120mph on Friday, he fell on the first lap of the Sprint, and took pole sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio down with him – an incident that earned him a Long Lap Penalty for Sunday.
“I braked at Turn 12 behind three riders,” he said. “I tried to stop the bike, but I didn’t consider enough the slipstream of three bikes. At one point I tried to go outside, because if not, it was a big chance to hit very hard Diggia from behind. And then I saw that there was no space on the outside and I tried to jump in to just let the bike go and turn outside of the circuit.”
Marquez was fully accepting of the penalty that came his way. “Always I try to be fair and I did a mistake and I need to have a penalty and tomorrow I will do that penalty.”
Ducati debuts new rear spoiler
No one saw Ducati’s tough start to the season coming. The factory that dominated the Sepang test in February has been fighting to catch up to Aprilia as its rival manufacturer has set the early pace.
In Austin, the Bologna factory unveiled a new rear aero design – a mini-spoiler at the rear of the bike, plus winglets below where the rider’s legs sit – two things first brought in by Aprilia.
Pecco Bagnaia, who finished second in Saturday’s Sprint, was pleased with the introduction. “I feel that you have more stability in the fast corners, and exiting from the fast corners, I can sit there and feel more comfortable,” he said.
Moto2 Qualifying
For the first time in Moto2, David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) had secured pole position after turning a dominant Friday into P1 on Saturday afternoon – or so it initially appeared. The 2024 Moto3 World Champion produced a blistering 2:05.203, a new all-time lap record, to end just under a tenth and a half clear of second place Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), but a post-qualifying tyre pressure penalty means the Colombian will start the Moto2 race from P17. Meanwhile, World Championship leader Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) lines up only P15 after progressing through Q1.
That leaves a resurgent Baltus to take pole position, with the Belgian lining up on the front row for the first time this season despite a late crash in Q2. Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) edged compatriot Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI) for the front row, but ultimately the rookie is elevated to P3 following Alonso’s penalty – although the Spaniard faces a double Long Lap penalty on Sunday.
Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) now occupy P4 and P5 on the grid in the United States, with KLINT Racing Team’s Alex Escrig moving up to Row 2 in P6, while Agius’s teammate Manuel Gonzalez starts from P9 after a lap originally good enough for 10th. That leaves the top two in the championship absent from the first three rows on the grid.
Home rider Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will be targeting a strong points finish from 10th on the grid, marking the Californian’s best qualifying result of 2026, as attention now turns to what promises to be a competitive Moto2 race at COTA on Sunday, with Alonso aiming to fight his way forward through the field in pursuit of victory.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Results—Moto2 Qualifying
| 1 | David Alonso | COL | CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (Kalex) | 2:05.203s |
| 2 | Barry Baltus | BEL | REDS Fantic Racing (Kalex) | +0.144s |
| 3 | Alonso Lopez | SPA | ITALJET Gresini Moto2 (Kalex) | +0.160s |
| 4 | Angel Piqueras | SPA | QJMOTOR – Galfer – MSI (Kalex) | +0.251s |
| 5 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | HDR SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.297s |
| 6 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.321s |
| 7 | Alex Escrig | SPA | KLINT Racing Team (Forward) | +0.332s |
| 8 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.366s |
| 9 | Collin Veijer | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +0.393s |
| 10 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.600s |
Moto3 Qualifying
Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) secured an impressive pole position in Texas, posting a 2:12.107 to head the field by more than four tenths. Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) claimed second to head the chasing group, with Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) just 0.007 behind O’Gorman in a closely fought front row.
There was one clear standout throughout the session. With only a few minutes remaining, Carpe was already at the top before the #83 delivered another rapid lap. Holding an advantage of over half a second with a minute to go, the benchmark had been firmly set.
O’Gorman, who was already second and the only rider within seven tenths of the lead, came closest through the opening sector on his next run, but traffic was becoming a factor. The Irish rider reduced the gap to 0.412, but was unable to close any further.
Row 2 is led by rookie Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) following another strong showing. He appeared set to improve further before a track limits violation ruled out his final lap. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) and Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) complete the second row.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) takes seventh, while Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) endured a difficult session to qualify eighth. Rookie Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) claimed ninth on his first appearance at COTA, with Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) completing the top ten.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Results—Moto3 Qualifying
| 1 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | 2: 12.107s |
| 2 | Casey O’Gorman | IRL | SIC58 Squadra Corse (Honda) | +0.412s |
| 3 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.419s |
| 4 | Veda Pratama | INA | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | +0.706s |
| 5 | Guido Pini | ITA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.730s |
| 6 | Joel Esteban | SPA | LEVEL UP – MTA (KTM) | +0.762s |
| 7 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.810s |
| 8 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.889s |
| 9 | Rico Salmela | FIN | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.898s |
| 10 | Scott Ogden | GBR | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +1.137s |
MotoGP Sprint Race
Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) returned to the top step in the Tissot Sprint in Texas, delivering a measured performance to overhaul early leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). The #89 made his move for the lead on the final lap and crossed the line 0.7s clear to secure his first Sprint win since 2024, and his first with Aprilia. Post-race, Martin crashed during a celebratory wheelie, although he was uninjured. The race itself featured multiple incidents throughout.
Bagnaia finished second after leading the early stages, losing out only in the closing lap, while Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completed the podium, pending a tyre pressure investigation.
Early in the race, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed while attempting a pass on Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with both riders retiring. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) also fell from a podium position with three laps remaining, and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) crashed on the final lap while battling for third.
Bagnaia led from the opening corner after a strong start, with Acosta, Mir, Martin and Bezzecchi forming the lead group. Following the early incidents, Bagnaia established a small advantage, but Martin gradually closed the gap in the latter stages.
Bezzecchi moved into second before crashing at Turn 11, promoting Martin into the position with a little over one second separating him from the leader. On the final lap, Martin reduced the gap and passed Bagnaia at Turn 12, maintaining control to the finish.
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) advanced through the field to finish fourth ahead of Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in fifth. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) took sixth.
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) finished seventh, ahead of teammate Raul Fernandez, while Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) completed the points-paying positions.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas Results—MotoGP Sprint Race
| 1 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | 20m 19.546s |
| 2 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.755s |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +2.484s |
| 4 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +3.199s |
| 5 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +3.638s |
| 6 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +5.521s |
| 7 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +7.183s |
| 8 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +8.634s |
| 9 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Castrol Honda LCR (RC213V) | +10.574s |
| 10 | Fermin Aldeguer | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP25) | +12.860s |
MotoGP Qualifying
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) fired in a new lap record of 2:00.136 to secure pole position for the U.S. GP, marking back-to-back poles for the first time in his career after his Brazilian GP success. Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) claimed second, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in third following a dramatic session. Missing from the front row is eight-time COTA polesitter Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), with the #93 enduring a lively session and lining up sixth in Texas.
After the opening runs, a stunning new lap record led the way – set by Q1 graduate Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol). There was also drama as Marc Marquez closed rapidly on a slower Bezzecchi, narrowly avoiding the Aprilia, before also having to check up to miss Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol). The incidents didn’t end there for the #93 either.
Mir held P1 initially, but once the late-session charge began in earnest on the second runs, red sectors lit up the timing screens. As laps unfolded, only a handful of riders remained in contention to topple Mir’s benchmark, with the #36 eventually shuffled back to fifth.
Bezzecchi first moved into provisional pole with a few minutes remaining, before Di Giannantonio crossed the line to snatch it away. Acosta then climbed to third but couldn’t quite challenge, with Mir in fourth as one final contender remained on track: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Bagnaia fell just short of the front row and settles for fourth ahead of Mir, leaving Marc Marquez in sixth. The #93 abandoned his final lap after an incident with Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), as the #23 was forced to take evasive action.
Behind the front two rows, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) qualified seventh after topping FP2 and will be aiming for more when the lights go out, with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) alongside in eighth. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) takes ninth to complete Row 3, while Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) rounds out the top ten after progressing from Q1.
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), after finishing Friday just half a tenth off Marc Marquez, endured a tougher Saturday with two crashes in FP2 before qualifying 11th. Bastianini completes the top 12 following his late clash with Marc Marquez.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—MotoGP Qualifying
| 1 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | 2’0.136s |
| 2 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.193s |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.349s |
| 4 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.427s |
| 5 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.455s |
| 6 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.501s |
| 7 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.560s |
| 8 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +0.629s |
| 9 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.755s |
| 10 | Fermin Aldeguer | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP25) | +0.878s |
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas News—Friday
Marquez crash highlights track issue
Marc Marquez’s weekend started off in conspicuous fashion after he crashed at around 120mph at the downhill Turn 10 in FP1. The reigning champ admitted it was his mistake, as he misjudged the bumps on corner entry.
What was of concern was how he slid into the wall at the side of the track, which led him to call for changes. “On that corner some riders already arrive to the wall,” he said. “It’s a bit on the limit, because we arrive in high speed there. And the fact that I lost the front immediately when I roll the gas makes everything even with more speed. If we increase the run off area a bit there, it will be better.”
Marquez was battered and bruised by the fall. “The arms, the finger, everywhere,” he said of the worst pain, even if he topped Practice. “But especially the back and the neck is the worst point.” Neil Morrison
Maverick KO’d
Maverick Viñales withdrew from the Grand Prix on Friday after learning a screw had come loose in the same left shoulder he injured last July. The Spaniard damaged tendons in the joint and had surgery inserted to aid recovery.
Yet since February his condition has worsened. “In Sepang, everything was normal,” he explained. “I did a good winter training. After that, I started to feel more pain, more pain.”
Viñales believes a small crash at the Sepang test tweaked the shoulder. “The screw that they fixed the tendon with, it went out. The good part is that the screw is in a good position, and the tendon is completely healed, the labrum is healed, the bone is healed. So in theory it’s just remove it and then work on the rehabilitation to come back. But I cannot continue riding like this. This is not normal, I mean I lose 0.7 in just 4 corners where I need to change direction.”
His Tech3 team is hopeful he can return at the Spanish GP in four weeks’ time. Neil Morrison
KTM aero limits top speed
One curiosity of the early season has been KTM’s lack of potency in a straight line.
Yet Brazil showcased KTM has lost that advantage, as Pedro Acosta was repeatedly attacked on the start-finish straight by a hoard of Ducatis and Aprilias. With the engine freeze in place for the Italian and Austrian manufacturers, the development was somewhat puzzling.
On Thursday Brad Binder shed some light. KTM’s new aero package this year was the main reason for the drop in outright speed. “We made some changes in the aero package completely just to make the bike turn a bit better. It turns better, stops better, corners better in general. The balance is better. But we must have added drag.
“So, the top end is definitely a little bit trickier than in previous seasons. We were always used to making up times in the straights, that was one of our strong points. So to lose that just makes it that little bit more tricky in the race where you need to really try and line up your moves a bit better.” Neil Morrison
Friday MotoGP
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) endured a high-speed crash in FP1 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, but by Friday’s close the seven-time MotoGP World Champion had returned to the top at a circuit where he’s historically dominated. Even so, the timesheets remained tight, with Ai Ogura – riding for the home-based Trackhouse MotoGP Team – just 0.053 seconds behind. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed Friday in third, 0.187 seconds off Marquez’s benchmark.
Earlier, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) set the pace in the morning session, while Marquez’s crash grabbed attention – although he escaped unhurt. The afternoon proved hectic, with nine total incidents: Di Giannantonio, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), Enea Bastianini twice (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Franco Morbidelli (VR46), Ogura, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) all going down early, before Brad Binder (KTM) added another late fall.
As the final time attack unfolded, Marc Marquez reclaimed P1, though Ogura came close with a late lap, finishing just 0.053 seconds adrift. Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) ended fourth, a mere 0.013 behind Di Giannantonio, who had briefly topped the session before the #93 responded.
Alex Marquez secured fifth, with Acosta sixth. Martin recovered to seventh ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) and Bastianini, who advances directly to Q2 for the first time since Catalunya last year—where he also claimed a podium result.
Joan Mir (Honda) narrowly missed the Q2 cut in 11th, while Binder’s late crash left him down in 19th at the end of Friday.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Friday MotoGP
| 1 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | 2’00.927s |
| 2 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.053s |
| 3 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati | +0.187s |
| 4 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.200s |
| 5 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +0.286s |
| 6 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.323s |
| 7 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.338s |
| 8 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.444s |
| 9 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.567s |
| 10 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +0.652s |
Friday Moto2
On one side of the CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team garage, there was plenty to celebrate on the opening day of Moto2 running at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the United States, as David Alonso fired in a 2:05.847 to finish 0.494s ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) completed Practice in third, 0.606s off Alonso, while across the garage, World Championship leader Daniel Holgado is once again set to go through Q1 for the second consecutive round.
Alonso’s pace, both over a single lap and across race distance, proved exceptional, with Gonzalez – who crashed at Turn 1 late on but was unharmed – the only rider able to get within half a second of the #80. Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team) secured fourth ahead of Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) in fifth, while Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) continued his strong form in sixth.
There was also a boost for the home crowd as Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) wrapped up Friday in a solid 10th, earning automatic entry into Q2 for the first time this season. That result means the #16 won’t be a rival for Holgado to contend with when Moto2 Q1 gets underway at 13:40 local time on Saturday afternoon.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Friday Moto2
| 1 | David Alonso | COL | CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (Kalex) | 2:05.847s |
| 2 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.494s |
| 3 | Barry Baltus | BEL | REDS Fantic Racing (Kalex) | +0.606s |
| 4 | Filip Salac | CZE | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +0.657s |
| 5 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.786s |
| 6 | Tony Arbolino | ITA | REDS Fantic Racing (Kalex) | +0.804s |
| 7 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | QJMOTOR – Galfer – MSI (Kalex) | +0.889s |
| 8 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | HDR SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.916s |
| 9 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.968s |
| 10 | Joe Roberts | USA | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +1.006s |
Friday Moto3
Moto3’s opening day of track action wrapped up with Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) smashing the lap record and underlining his status as a leading contender for victory this weekend. A 2’13.757 was enough to comfortably put him on top of the standings ahead of Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), although plenty can still change across Saturday and Sunday.
With the new benchmark set, Quiles looked strong throughout to head into Saturday at COTA in control, as the points leader got straight to work and rarely slipped outside the top two before ultimately locking in P1. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) became the first rider to dip into the 2’13s, and his effort secured second place by the end of the session, while Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who topped the morning running, completed the top three overall.
Close behind, last year’s COTA podium finisher Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) impressed once again. The Italian surged into the top three before settling for fourth, narrowly ahead of Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Joel Esteban (LEVLUP-MTA). Other notable performances came from Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) and teammate Eddie O’Shea, both progressing directly into Q2, along with an impressive group of rookies including Rico Salmela, Marco Morelli, Casey O’Gorman, Brian Uriarte and Veda Pratama.
2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Friday Moto3
| 1 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team (KTM) | 2:13.757s |
| 2 | Guido Pini | ITA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.172s |
| 3 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.445s |
| 4 | Matteo Bertelle | ITA | LEVEL UP – MTA (KTM) | +0.536s |
| 5 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.552s |
| 6 | Joel Esteban | SPA | LEVEL UP – MTA (KTM) | +0.597s |
| 7 | Joel Kelso | AUS | GRYD – MLav Racing (Honda) | +0.603s |
| 8 | Rico Salmela | FIN | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.604s |
| 9 | Marco Morelli | ARG | CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.616s |
| 10 | Casey O’Gorman | IRL | SIC58 Squadra Corse (Honda) | +0.619s |
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