Sunday MotoGP Race
After an incredible Sprint on Saturday, it was time for lights out on Sunday and getting the perfect launch from pole was Bezzecchi, with Marc Marquez keeping hold of P2. But not for long. Turn 7 saw Fernandez pinch P2 away from the reigning World Champion and then, a third Aprilia was having a bite at #93. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) was briefly ahead of the 2025 World Champion, but the latter bit back.
Bezzecchi was into a great early Grand Prix rhythm at the front, with Fernandez 0.9s away at the end of Lap 3. Then, attacking down at Turn 3 on Lap 4, Martin struck again. Marc Marquez was shuffled back to P4 by the 2024 World Champion, and then, Acosta entered the battle.
Turn 12. #93 vs #37. Shades of a memorable Sprint scrap. Acosta made a move up the inside stick to climb into fourth, with Marc Marquez down to P5 and as things stood, the current King had zero answers.
As Bezzecchi and Fernandez continued to set a similar pace in P1 and P2, we strapped ourselves in to enjoy Martin vs Acosta. The KTM star had several bites at the cherry on Lap 8 and 9, but Aprilia’s #89 was defending brilliantly.
Then, Acosta did find a way through on Martin. On the exit of a move at Turn 3, Acosta was through but getting a Lap 10 two-for-one deal on the run up to Turn 4 was Marc Marquez. But Acosta wasn’t having any of that. The pre-Grand Prix title leader chose Turn 8 to attack his compatriot, and it was a leap up the inside that worked. Acosta, eventually, was P3.
Now though, by Lap 14, the gap to second place Fernandez and leader Bezzecchi had grown. However, Acosta was beginning to catch the Trackhouse Aprilia, with the gap just below two seconds as the Grand Prix entered its final 10 laps.
Behind, Marc Marquez sat 1.4s away from Acosta, with Martin sitting 0.8s back of the leading Ducati. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was over three seconds up the road and in relative cruise control. It was the Italian’s 25 points to throw away at this stage.
With seven to go, Fernandez’s grip on P2 was loosening. Acosta was now under a second away from the #25, and Marc Marquez was lurking too. Until he wasn’t. As we panned back to watch Fernandez, Acosta and Marc Marquez come through Turn 4, it was clear the latter had a problem. And it became obvious it was a rear tyre puncture. Drama in Buriram, the reigning World Champion was out of the Thai Grand Prix.
Mounting pressure for a podium push, the rear tyre of the World Champion’s GP26 blew out in the late stages of the Thai GP
Then, last year’s runner-up was out too. Alex Marquez crashed at the rapid Turn 4, thankfully the #73 was up and walking, but that ended a disappointing weekend at the office for the Gresini Racing star.
More drama then occurred. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) was forced to retire from the Grand Prix with rear tyre problems too after the 2020 World Champion had strung a very strong race together in the top six, and all of a sudden, there were four Aprilias in the top five, with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) showing some aggressive late pace.
And so, after a punishing Thai Grand Prix, Bezzecchi made amends for his Sprint error to clinch victory on Sunday and win three Grands Prix in a row for the first time. Acosta’s wait for a Grand Prix win goes on, but that was another sublime performance from the KTM star, who will head to Brazil as the MotoGP World Championship leader. And fair play to Fernandez. After some serious shoulder troubles surfaced in Warm Up, the Spaniard celebrates another P3 to grab a double Round 1 podium.
Having missed the Sepang Test and considering what he went through in 2025, Martin will be elated to start the campaign with P4, with the very impressive #89 finished three tenths ahead of Ogura. The Japanese rider recovers to round out the top five, with the lead Ducati rider over the line being Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in P6.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) hands KTM a double top seven finish in P7, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) leaves it late – the final corner of the final lap to be precise – to pocket P8 from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). It’s P9 on Sunday for the 2022 and 2023 MotoGP World Champion, as Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) completed the top 10.
Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were P11 and P12 across the line, with rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) pocketing points on debut with a P13 ahead of the Brazilian’s home round next. Rounding out the points-paying positions were Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP duo Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | 39m 36.27s |
| 2 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +5.543s |
| 3 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +9.259s |
| 4 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +12.182s |
| 5 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +12.411s |
| 6 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +16.845s |
| 7 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +17.363s |
| 8 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25) | +18.227s |
| 9 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +18.340s |
| 10 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +19.101s |
Moto2 Race
A dramatic start to the Moto2 season saw two red flags at Buriram before a tense final two laps welcomed a head-to-head battle between Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Izan Guevera (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2). Last year’s runner-up took gold in the opening encounter ahead of Guevara, whilst Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) took third.
From P2 on the grid, it was a perfect start for Guevara as he grabbed Moto2’s first holeshot of 2026. He didn’t hold the lead for long though as he ran wide at Turn 3 along with polesitter Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI), allowing Holgado into P1 from fourth. However, on Lap 3, an incident at Turn 9 involving Agius, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team) brought out the red flag. Alonso was taken to the medical centre with arm pain whilst Agius and Salac could take the restart from pitlane.
With the distance reduced to just 11 laps, it promised to be elbows out from the start. Holgado got to Turn 1 first and led the field down to Turn 3 where there was more drama. Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) tucked the front, leaving class rookie Luca Lunetta (SYNC Group SpeedRS Team) nowhere to go. This brought out the second red flag of the Grand Prix with a new distance of seven laps set to sort out the order.
For the final start for a seven-lap dash, it was Holgado who once again led the charge but was soon behind Guevara who got under him at Turn 3. The battle was fierce as Gonzalez pushed through on Holgado on Lap 2 before going after Guevera; Holgado was third with Ortola fourth, all four riders in the leading group.
After stalking Guevara, Gonzalez pounced on the penultimate lap at Turn 7 with a bold move but the #28 wasn’t giving up as he tried to fight back at Turns 8, 9 and 12. Onto the final lap and it was last year’s runner-up who held the advantage and despite Guevara’s best efforts at the final corner around the outside, Gonzalez held on to repeat his season-opening victory from 2025 and take charge in 2026. Behind them, Holgado rounded out the first podium of the season whilst Ortola and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the top five.
Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team) took P6 ahead of Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Deniz Öncu (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), with Ayumu Sasaki (Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team) completing the top ten.
2026 Thailand Moto2 Results
| 1 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | 11:11.575s |
| 2 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.099s |
| 3 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (Kalex) | +0.454s |
| 4 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI (Kalex) | +1.138s |
| 5 | Collin Veijer | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +2.667s |
| 6 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | SYNC Group SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +3.211s |
| 7 | Alonso Lopez | SPA | ITALJET Gresini Moto2 (Kalex) | +4.220s |
| 8 | Daniel Munoz | SPA | Italtrans Racing Team (Kalex) | +4.340s |
| 9 | Deniz Oncu | TUR | ELF Marc VDS Racing Team (Boscoscuro) | +5.835s |
| 10 | Ayumu Sasaki | JPN | Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team (Kalex) | +6.180s |
Moto3 Race
A classic start Moto3’s 2026 campaign? Just what we ordered. It was very much a case of the calm before the storm as David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) battled to a maiden victory in a final corner, last lap thriller ahead of Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). 0.003s and the joint-closest finish, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) opened his account with a podium behind the dueling Spaniards up ahead.
The first holeshot of the season went to polesitter Almansa, who let the brakes off to hold P1. It was a drag race down to Turn 3 against Quiles but the #22 held firm and lead the opening lap of the season. Behind, there was drama for Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) who crashed at Turn 5 on Lap 2, the same corner that ended hiss Thai GP last year. Lap 3 saw another rider fall from the top ten as Guido Pini’s (Leopard Racing) debut with his new team saw him crash at Turn 12 but the Italian sophomore remounted and rejoined the action, eventually finishing 20th.
Five laps in and what looked like a breakaway group of four – consisting of Almansa, Quiles, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) – had been reeled in. They now had rookie sensation Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and Argentinean Perrone for company with approximately one second covering the top six. At the end of Lap 6, a mistake from Carpe allowed Fernandez through before another mistake allowed Pratama into fourth and the Indonesian didn’t stop there. He forced his way under Fernandez to take P3 at the end of Lap 7, sitting in a provisional podium position on his debut.
As half distance approached the front two had scarpered. At the end of Lap 11, our first change in the lead as Quiles decided to take over at the front from Almansa at Turn 12, now giving his fellow Spaniard a chance to study his own strengths and weaknesses. It didn’t last long though, as Quiles ran off at Turn 1 to gift his rival the lead straight back. Both were matching each other’s lap times, the only riders in the 1’41s – a true head-to-head to get us started in 2026. Seven seconds behind, there were passes in abundance with Fernandez, having dropped to sixth, climbing back into third with three to go.
Onto the last lap and after a Turn 12 error from Quiles, Almansa sported a half a second advantage as they took in the final 4.5km of Buriram. However, Quiles wasn’t finished and put in an outstanding final lap to get back on terms for one final attack into the last corner. Defending his line, he forced Quiles to let the brakes off and it looked like he got the job done but on the run to the line, Almansa had better drive to snatch his first victory in Moto3 by just 0.003s, equalling the closest finish of all-time in Moto3. In the scrap for third, Perrone fought his way ahead of Carpe, likewise in a final corner pass whilst Pratama took top Honda honours in fifth on his debut, ahead of Fernandez.
Outside the top six, Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was a strong seventh ahead of Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) and David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) who rounded out the top ten. Just missing out on the top ten by 0.206s, it was 11th for rookie Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
2026 Thailand Moto3 Results
| 1 | David Almansa | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | 32:14.186s |
| 2 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.003s |
| 3 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +9.480s |
| 4 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +9.573s |
| 5 | Veda Pratama | INA | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | +9.687s |
| 6 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +9.723s |
| 7 | Brian Uriarte | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +11.068s |
| 8 | Marco Morelli | ARG | CFMOTO Aspar Team (KTM) | +11.334s |
| 9 | Joel Esteban | SPA | LEVEL UP – MTA (KTM) | +11.541s |
| 10 | David Munoz | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +11.657s |
2026 Thailand MotoGP News—Saturday
Marquez v Acosta: the fallout
MotoGP exploded back into life in Thailand with Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta contributing to one of the best ever Sprints. But the event was shrouded in controversy after Marquez was forced to drop one position on the final lap by the FIM Stewards after a forceful pass the previous lap.
“It’s the new MotoGP,” said the Catalan after. “If you want to have a lot of penalties
do it, but do it well. Why you take one minute and a half to give me the message? Give me the exit of Turn 3.” He was also adamant he did nothing wrong. “It was a perfect move.”
Asked if he’d have made the same move if positions were reversed, Acosta was unequivocal.
“Sure. I mean, this is what makes MotoGP that exciting.”
Di Giannantonio v Marquez: the fallout
There was further controversy early on when Alex Marquez lifted Fabio Di Giannantonio off track at Turn 3 when attempting an overtake from behind on the first lap – and received no penalty.
The Italian was furious and subsequently visited Race Direction after to seek an explanation. But as Marquez explained, “We started to brake in a really similar point. I knew if I went in, I’d hit Raul (Fernandez in front) and all three of us would crash. Trying to defend on the outside is not the most intelligent thing to do.”
For his part, Di Giannantonio tried to be diplomatic. “We must smash each other’s fairings, give elbows in between the white lines, but with safety in mind. If you arrive to the traffic lights with a yellow light, you brake to not smash into the car in front.”
Yamaha in for Marini?
Yamaha is reported to have made a move for Luca Marini in 2027 as it hopes to find a rider suitable to bring its V4 850cc M1 up to speed.
Despite Honda’s love for his approach, character and ability to develop, it’s widely believed he’s lost his seat in the factory team for next year with Fabio Quartararo incoming. Also, both LCR riders – Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira – have contracts for next year.
When asked about it, Marini didn’t exactly deny the potential move. “I don’t think this is the moment to talk about this, so just after the Sprint race now and prepare for tomorrow’s race and be focused on being ahead of my other team-mates.”
MotoGP Sprint Race
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) created an instant classic straight out the blocks for 2026, with the two titans going head-to-head over the course of 13 explosive laps. It all boiled over with contact on the penultimate lap, resulting in a penalty for the #93 to be served on the last – and he did so at the very final corner. With that, Acosta takes his first ever Sprint win and becomes the first KTM rider to lead the MotoGP World Championship, with Marc Marquez forced to settle for second and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) completing the rostrum on Saturday. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) led the way early on before crashing out from ahead of the incoming #37 vs #93 fireworks.
An epic opening lap in 2026 first saw Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez locked in combat. The #93 got the initial holeshot over the Italian but it was at Turn 8 when ‘Bez’ struck straight back to take the lead. It rocked on until the end of the lap, Marquez levering the Aprilia rider aside at the final corner, only for the favour to be repaid at Turn 3, Bezzecchi assuming the Sprint lead. However, at Turn 8 on the second lap, it was disaster for the polesitter who tucked the front, paving the way for Marquez and Acosta to come through. Bezzecchi’s Buriram Sprint hopes lay in the gravel after his speed had been unmatched on Friday and in qualifying.
The reigning World Champion may have inherited the lead but it wasn’t all easy. Acosta fired his KTM up the inside at the final corner but it was the #93’s Ducati which got the power down and fended off ‘The Shark’. Behind, Raul Fernandez led a trio of Aprilias as Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) sat in fourth until Fernandez’s teammate Ai Ogura managed to squeeze past.
Lap 7 and just over halfway into the Sprint and Acosta wasn’t settling for opening his account with a podium. He pulled off the same move he did at the end of Lap 2, passing Marquez and this time held on for a few metres more. Still though, the GP26 managed to outgun the RC16 down the straight, Marquez remaining ahead… for now.
Third time round, this time on Lap 10, Acosta pulled the same move but he just couldn’t keep it down to the apex. Another attempt a lap later, Acosta with his best attempt yet to get the job done and this time forcing Marquez to go around the outside at the first corner, which he did.
On the penultimate lap, the gloves were off in the biggest way possible. Each pass getting closer, more aggressive, more intense. A mistake at Turn 5, Marquez ran ride and whilst tight, Acosta shouldered his way through to take the lead again. At Turn 12, the roles were reversed as it was the #93 attacking Acosta, which he did but then, the most controversial and talked about move of the day. Marquez went for his lunge, made contact, and Acosta was pushed wide as the #93 ran towards the edge of the track. “Under Investigation” came up immediately – and the decision was quick. Before the final lap was half done, the penalty dash message was sent – Marc Marquez to drop one position.
He left it late, slowing into the final corner to let Acosta through and then hitting the gas immediately to try and both fend off Fernandez and attack back. Acosta had enough in hand to cross the line for his first ever Sprint win, Marc Marquez did enough to hold onto second, and Fernandez was just left a few meters short of being able to take advantage. A thriller, and already a huge debate as the paddock exploded with their opinion on THAT move.
It was actually a Trackhouse Racing 3-4 as Ai Ogura picked his way through to fourth, with Martin completing the top five on his return to competition, having fought for the podium earlier in the Sprint too. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) were next up, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking that final point. Early race drama for Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) makes him one name not to score, although he did finish P11 behind Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) after the #73 tangled with Diggia early on in a chain reaction incident that caused its own heated debrief on the cooldown lap.
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race
| 1 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 19m 39.155s |
| 2 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.108s |
| 3 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.540s |
| 4 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +2.100s |
| 5 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +3.851s |
| 6 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +4.612s |
| 7 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +4.924s |
| 8 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +5.748s |
| 9 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +6.910s |
| 10 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +7.796s |
MotoGP Qualifying
After qualifying in Buriram only 0.035 splits the riders who each claim it’s the other. But despite a late crash at Turn 12, it’s Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) who will start the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season from pole. fter his lap record-breaking exploits on Friday however, it wasn’t as comfortable as he and Aprilia would have liked. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) was just 0.035s away in Q2 as a 1:28.652 for Bezzecchi just outplayed a 1:28.687 for the reigning World Champion.
In third, Q1 table-topper Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) earned a front row start in P3 to make it two Aprilias vs one Ducati at the front of the grid.
And so, it was time. The first MotoGP qualifying session of the 2026 campaign fired into life and after the opening set of flying laps, it was Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) who led second place Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) by a very healthy 0.3s, thanks to the 2025 Australian GP winner’s 1:28.784.
This meant Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who was P3 in the opening half of the 15-minute dash, had work to do. And after his first attack on the second outing didn’t arrive, and neither did the second attempt, the double MotoGP World Champion was up against it with three minutes left.
Then, while 0.001s away from Fernandez’s time, a mistake came on the exit of Turn 8, meaning – if tyres and fuel load allowed – he’d have one more lap to try and penetrate the top two. A red sector was set again in Sector 1, but it was session over for Pecco. The Italian sat up and out of the lap, meaning the #63 will start the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix from P13, as compatriot Morbidelli crashed down at Turn 3, which in the end, didn’t cost the Italian a place in Q2.
The big question coming into the pole position shootout was could anyone halt Bezzecchi’s brilliant Buriram momentum? The reigning World Champion, Marc Marquez, would certainly be a chief contender in trying to stop him, but it was a scruffy opening lap from the #93, as the Aprilia Racing duo sailed to an early top two. Bezzecchi set a 1:28.914, with teammate Martin just 0.087s away.
This was all going to change very quickly though. Marc Marquez improved but it was nowhere near enough for P1, as Acosta – shadowing the 2025 title winner – got down to a 1:29.063 for P4.
Getting down to it was Bezzecchi again. The pre-qualifying favourite improved his time to bang in a 1:28.652, with Fernandez stretching his legs to leap up to P3 to make it an Aprilia 1-2-3 in Q2. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) were currently behind Acosta on the second row, meaning Marc Marquez had a mini mountain to climb from provisional P7.
That then got worse with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) moving up to P6, as we strapped in for the final four minutes of a fantastic Q2.
In true Marc Marquez style, the shovel was out, and he was digging deep when it mattered most. Three red sectors were slammed in before the 99-time Grand Prix winner lost a small amount of margin in Sector 4, meaning it was P2 for the Ducati star. 0.035s the gap to Bezzecchi, and with Di Giannantonio improving to P4, Martin was now shuffled down to P5 on his factory RS-GP.
Turn 12, while pushing to increase his advantage, then caught out Bezzecchi. The front end cried no more as the #72 hit the deck at the final corner, but in the end, it didn’t matter. No more big moves were made in the chase for pole position in Thailand, so the much-wanted P1 grid slot was the Italian’s and Bezzecchi’s for Round 1 – but only just.
Pole goes to Bez, but Marc Marquez is right there in P2 after a stunning late Q2 lap. Fernandez makes it two Aprilias on the front row, a lovely pair of short morning stints for the #25, as Di Giannantonio fronts the second row ahead of Martin – who claims his first top 10 in qualifying with Aprilia – and Acosta.
It’s P6 for the lead KTM star in qualifying, while Alex Marquez is forced to settle for a disappointing P7 in Q2. Eighth and ninth – the middle and outside of the third row – go to Ogura and Morbidelli, with Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) set to launch from P10, P11 and P12, respectively.
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—MotoGP Qualifying
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | 1:28.652 |
| 2 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.035s |
| 3 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.224s |
| 4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.266s |
| 5 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.349s |
| 6 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.409s |
| 7 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati | +0.425s |
| 8 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.559s |
| 9 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25) | +0.669s |
| 10 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol | +0.733s |
Moto2 Qualifying
For the first time in his Moto2 career, Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) will fire away from pole position when the lights go out after the Australian set a 1:34.576 to beat fellow front row starters Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) by less than a tenth in Thailand.
Agius left it until the closing moments to snatch a dream debut pole in the class, with 0.049s splitting the top three at the end of the 15-minute dash. Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI) spearheads Row 4 and was just over a tenth back from pole, with Celestino Vietti (SYNC Group SpeedRS Team) and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the top six on the grid.
After topping Friday’s Practice, Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) is forced to settle for P7 as the Spaniard hunts back-to-back Thai GP wins, and having come through the Q1 jungle, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) salvaged a P10 in qualifying to give himself a fighting chance of a podium – and maybe a win – on Sunday. The Colombian starts one place behind Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), and one place ahead of rookie Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI).
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—Moto2 Qualifying
| 1 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | 1: 34.576s |
| 2 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.028s |
| 3 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (Kalex) | +0.049s |
| 4 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI (Kalex) | +0.117s |
| 5 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | SYNC Group SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.170s |
| 6 | Collin Veijer | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +0.212s |
| 7 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.220s |
| 8 | Filip Salac | CZE | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +0.254s |
| 9 | Mario Aji | INA | Idemitsu Honda Team Asia (Kalex) | +0.259s |
| 10 | David Alonso | COL | CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (Kalex) | +0.284s |
Moto3 Qualifying
David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) has a whopping four tenths in hand after qualifying in Thailand as the Spaniard smashed the lap record to secure the first pole of the season. His 1:40.088 puts him clear of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P2, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) taking third.
Pole was decided late on as Almansa’s dash denied Carpe, with the sophomore having been top of the pile for some time. Max Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) was the first to lead the session but was forced to settle for fourth, with fifth going the way of a stunning debut from Indonesian rider Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia). He also led the way briefly earlier in Q2.
David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) moved up from Q1 to take P6, with the top ten completed by Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), Scott Ogden (CIP – Green Power), Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) and Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—Moto3 Qualifying
| 1 | David Almansa | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | 1: 40.088s |
| 2 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.430s |
| 3 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.605s |
| 4 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.609s |
| 5 | Veda Pratama | INA | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | +0.789s |
| 6 | David Munoz | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +1.003s |
| 7 | Ryusei Yamanaka | JPN | AEON Credit- MT Helmets – MSI (KTM) | +1.110s |
| 8 | Scott Ogden | GBR | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +1.203s |
| 9 | Guido Pini | ITA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +1.231s |
| 10 | Casey O’Gorman | IRL | SIC58 Squadra Corse (Honda) | +1.249s |
2026 Thailand MotoGP News—Friday
Marquez still not at 100 percent
Marc Marquez admitted he is still some way from his best as he kicked off his first title defense since 2020 in Thailand. The 33-year admitted he is still struggling for optimum strength in his right shoulder. Hence he opted to run Ducati’s 2024 aerodynamics package as it’s “less physical.”
“I feel well, but still I’m not riding the bike like I want,” he said on Friday. The entry of the corner at the moment, I’m not feeling good, but it’s more my riding style than the bike.”
Asked to specify what doesn’t feel right, Marquez added, “The braking position. I injured the shoulder here in the front area and the operation was here in the pectoral plus deltoid. These front muscles and it’s there, the push is what I need more. And if you don’t brake in a good position, then you are not in the perfect position in the middle of the corner.” Neil Morrison
MotoGP and manufacturers “very close” to agreement
There has been a recent stand-off between MotoGP’s organizers and the five manufacturers of late. Before confirming their place in the series from 2027 to 2031, the factories are keen to receive a percentage of the series’ overall income, rather than a flat fee.
This tension has been bubbling below the surface since last summer. Even though they have begun developing their 850cc machines, as well as making a series of rider signings for next year, there is still no contract signed. Yet MotoGP is confident a deal is “very close.”
“Even above our business growth for the last three decades we have continuously increased our contribution to the teams without being contractually obliged to, like other leagues,” said Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta. “There is a clear ‘under new ownership’ but also a clear idea of what MotoGP wants to do and what its vision is, and we’re very happy that the teams and manufacturers want to be a part of that.”
Part of the deal is MotoGP pushing for a minimum salary for MotoGP riders, believed to be around €500,000 per year. “It is one of the conversations we are having with the teams,” said Ezpeleta. “I do think we are very close.” Neil Morrison
Adelaide ‘could show the world what’s possible’
MotoGP’s controversial decision to leave Phillip Island for a street circuit in Adelaide was justified by its Chief Sporting Officer in Thailand, who said the new event could host 2027’s final race, and be a blueprint for other new races in future years.
Bad weather conditions, poor attendances and a challenging location were all reasons given for leaving Phillip Island. And there are no questions from MotoGP’s side regarding the safety of the proposed track in Adelaide. “We did around 37 simulations of the track and it slowly became obvious that it was possible to hold a race there,” said Carlos Ezpeleta.
He also underlined the undertaking to prepare the track. “To put in the gravel, to take it away [means] it is very unlike an F1 or car circuit where you are just setting up walls and taking them down. That operation will get better and better as we move forward. Adelaide is going to be very special. Does it set a possibility or show the world what is possible? Yes. But it is a special opportunity.” Neil Morrison
Friday MotoGP
It was a strong day for Aprilia Racing’s duo of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, who were inside the top five. Bezzecchi made it a Friday clean sweep, having topped FP1 and then setting a new lap record on Friday afternoon to hammer home even more swagger. The gap back to Marc Marquez is a whopping four tenths.
Martin, meanwhile, was fifth at the chequered flag. He’d shown speed in testing on his full-time, fully fit return to action but a P5 is a stunner. He also had a small crash on Friday morning, but with no drama at all.
It was very much a session of two halves for Marc Marquez, who spent a fair portion of it outside the top ten before bouncing up to fifth with 20 minutes to go. The early scare was well behind him when he jumped up the order into P2 by the end of the session. Bagnaia was putting in the red sectors but didn’t find that full la, only managing 15th. He’ll want to make a statement on Saturday morning, having been the lap record holder now robbed by Bezzecchi.
More testing form was translated from pre-season to Round 1, this time in the case of Di Giannantonio. He sat pretty at the head of the field for most of Practice before being pushed back to third late on. The #49’s best lap time was set towards the end of a stint, showing that he doesn’t just have one-lap pace but right throughout his runs. He was the same in FP1.
Making it three manufacturers and four teams in the top four, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) set his fastest lap of the session on his penultimate lap, 0.659s off Bezzecchi’s time but that making him pretty close to Diggia and Marc Marquez. Brad Binder took P8 to move directly into Q2, threading a lap together to leap up the timesheets later in the session.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) clinched sixth, not the position he got used to in 2025, and was just ahead of Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) who was Honda’s top representative after a session with plenty of late turnover in a final shuffle.
Despite looking strong in P4 in the morning and bagging himself P9 and a Q2 spot, Ai Ogura’s (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) session ended early with just over two minutes remaining as he fell at Turn 7. He was all OK and will hope to redeem himself in the pole shootout on Saturday morning, where he’ll definitely also be joined by Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) as the final automatic graduate.
Two more riders will now join them from Q1, with Bagnaia most in the spotlight as qualifying goes green on Saturday morning.
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | 1’28.526s |
| 2 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.421s |
| 3 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.484s |
| 4 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.659s |
| 5 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.703s |
| 6 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +0.850s |
| 7 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.991s |
| 8 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +1.006s |
| 9 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +1.053s |
| 10 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Castrol Honda LCR (RC213V) | +1.064s |
Friday Moto2
2025 Thai Grand Prix winner Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) topped the opening Friday of the season in a rain-hit Moto2 Practice session. Pre-season pacesetter Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) and last year’s Valencian GP victor Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) completed a top three split by 0.185s, with Gonzalez setting a new all-time lap record – a 1:34.501. However, it was Day 1 disappointment for Friday morning’s table-topper David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team).
The Colombian ended Practice down in P22 as a quick dose of rain in Sector 1 meant improving times became impossible when it mattered most for some, as Turn 1 unfortunately caught out the unlucky Adrian Huertas (Italtrans Racing Team).
Alonso will be competing in Q1 alongside a whole host of Moto2 race winners, including Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing), Deniz Öncü (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), and the Turk’s teammate Aron Canet. In other words: a stacked Q1 line-up.
Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) are two riders who don’t have to worry about Q1 on Saturday afternoon though. The 2025 Rookie of the Year and Indonesian finished P4 and P5 on Day 1 in Thailand, with Australia’s Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) sixth quickest.
Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – Pont Grup – MSI) got his rookie Moto2 season off to a great start with a P13 finish on Friday, meaning the Spaniard heads directly into the Moto2 pole position shootout.
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—Friday Moto2
| 1 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | 1: 34.501s |
| 2 | Alex Escrig | SPA | KLINT Racing Team (Forward) | +0.124s |
| 3 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.185s |
| 4 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (Kalex) | +0.202s |
| 5 | Mario Aji | INA | Idemitsu Honda Team Asia (Kalex) | +0.235s |
| 6 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.295s |
| 7 | Ayumu Sasaki | JPN | Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team (Kalex) | +0.329s |
| 8 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI (Kalex) | +0.344s |
| 9 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | SYNC Group SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.382s |
| 10 | Collin Veijer | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +0.467s |
Friday Moto3
Moto3’s first day is in the books at the Chang International Circuit with plenty of headlines both in and out of the directing seeding to Q2. Leading the way on his debut with his new team, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was the pacesetter on Friday.
Almansa got straight down to business and never found himself too far away from the top of the timesheets. The first and only rider in the 1’40s, he had just under a tenth of a second in his pocket over fellow countryman and Buriram podium finisher from 2025, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The #83 starts his second season in P2 but got very much down to business on day one. He in-turn had over a tenth of a second to the next rider, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3). Watched on by new team CEO Gunther Steiner, it was a positive day for the Argentinean.
Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) secured fourth and was just one place ahead of his teammate Marco Morelli, who likewise made it two Argentinean riders in the top five and both directly into Q2. Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) rounded out an all-KTM top six with the Brit less than half a second from Almansa’s top time.
Elsewhere, notable performances consist of Honda’s top finisher and class rookie Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) and fellow star rookie Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) as both came home in P7 and P8 respectively. Irish star Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was also impressive as he got into Q2 with 13th. The biggest name to miss out was three-time Grand Prix winner from 2025’s season David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), unable to replicate his teammate’s strong start and rooted to 16th place, having to go through Q1.
2026 Thailand MotoGP Results—Friday Moto3
| 1 | David Almansa | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | 1:40.990s |
| 2 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.078s |
| 3 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.204s |
| 4 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.236s |
| 5 | Marco Morelli | ARG | CFMOTO Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.380s |
| 6 | Scott Ogden | GBR | CIP Green Power (KTM) | +0.474s |
| 7 | Jesus Rios | SPA | Rivacold Snipers Team (Honda) | +0.498s |
| 8 | Veda Pratama | INA | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | +0.518s |
| 9 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.541s |
| 10 | Brian Uriarte | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.541s |
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