Sunday MotoGP Race
Before the start, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) suffered a grid issue and was forced to start from pit lane, while teammate Pedro Acosta launched perfectly to lead early from Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). Chaos immediately unfolded behind as Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) traded aggressive moves, including contact at Turn 7, while Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) narrowly avoided crashing after a huge moment at Turn 10.
Acosta quickly broke clear as the battle for third intensified. Zarco barged past Marquez before Martin demoted the Spaniard to fifth. Fernandez then grabbed the lead at Turn 1 on Lap 5, although Acosta reclaimed it four laps later as Marquez joined the fight at the front.
The race changed dramatically on Lap 12 when Acosta suffered a technical failure exiting Turn 9. With nowhere to go, Alex Marquez slammed into the rear of the KTM, triggering a huge crash and scattering debris across the circuit. Fernandez, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Zarco were all caught up in the aftermath, with Di Giannantonio crashing moments later after striking debris. Marquez was taken to hospital conscious for further checks, while Fernandez, Di Giannantonio and Zarco were cleared for the restart.
The first restart lasted only one corner. Acosta grabbed the holeshot before Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Zarco crashed together at Turn 1, bringing out another red flag. Zarco was later taken to hospital with a left leg injury.
In the final 12-lap sprint, Acosta again led away as Martin and Fernandez collided at Turn 5, dropping both Aprilias to the back. Acosta headed Marini and Bagnaia before Di Giannantonio surged forward, passing Bagnaia and later Marini to chase the lead.
With three laps remaining, Di Giannantonio dived underneath Acosta at Turn 10 and immediately pulled clear. Acosta then came under pressure from Marini, Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). Marini and Aldeguer passed on the final lap before Ogura attempted an ambitious last-corner move, colliding with Acosta and sending the KTM rider crashing out.
Di Giannantonio secured his first victory in Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team colors, with Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) and Aldeguer initially completing the podium. However, Mir was later penalised for tyre pressure infringement, dropping him to 13th and promoting Bagnaia to third. Ogura also received a three-second penalty for the final-corner clash, dropping him to eighth.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) inherited fourth ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Marini, Binder, Ogura, Diogo Moreira (Honda LCR) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in the top 10.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results
| 1 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | 20m 6.243s |
| 2 | Fermin Aldeguer | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP25) | +1.466s |
| 3 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +4.320s |
| 4 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +4.679s |
| 5 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +4.876s |
| 6 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +4.971s |
| 7 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +5.137s |
| 8 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +5.377s |
| 9 | Diogo Moreira | BRA | Pro Honda LCR (RC213V) | +6.839s |
| 10 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25) | +7.160s |
Moto2 Race
Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) strengthened his Moto2 World Championship lead after edging out Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) in a thrilling Barcelona duel, with just two tenths separating the pair at the flag. Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) completed the podium after charging from 11th on the grid on home soil.
Vietti grabbed the holeshot ahead of Gonzalez, while second-place starter Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slipped backwards early on. Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Bordoy – MSI) ran strongly in third as Guevara, David Alonso (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team) and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team) carved through from outside the top 10.
At the front, Vietti steadily built a gap and by Lap 10 held a 0.7s advantage over Gonzalez, with Ortola and Guevara close behind. However, the race turned in the closing laps as Gonzalez reeled in the Italian. With three laps remaining, the championship leader struck at Turn 1 after Vietti endured several rear-end slides.
Vietti stayed glued to Gonzalez throughout the final laps but couldn’t get close enough to retaliate, allowing the Spaniard to claim his second win of the season. Guevara passed Ortola late on to secure third, while Holgado completed the top five.
Alonso crossed the line sixth ahead of Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and impressive rookie Luca Lunetta (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team), who earned his best Moto2 finish in ninth. Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) rounded out the top 10.
Gonzalez now heads to Mugello with an 18.5-point championship advantage over Guevara.
2026 Catalunya Moto2 Results
| 1 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | 36m 06.295s |
| 2 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | Beta Tools SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.203s |
| 3 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +4.205s |
| 4 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | QJMOTOR – Bordoy – MSI (Kalex) | +6.338s |
| 5 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team (Kalex) | +7.971s |
| 6 | David Alonso | COL | CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team (Kalex) | +8.080s |
| 7 | Filip Salac | CZE | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +9.636s |
| 8 | Alonso Lopez | SPA | ITALJET Gresini Moto2 (Kalex) | +11.312s |
| 9 | Luca Lunetta | ITA | Beta Tools SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +13.545s |
| 10 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +13.761s |
Moto3 Race
Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made it three straight wins in Barcelona, extending his Moto3 World Championship lead to 64 points after six rounds. The Spaniard resisted a dramatic final-corner attack from David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), while Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) stormed from 13th on the grid to snatch second at the line.
Pole-sitter Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) grabbed the holeshot as Quiles battled through the lead group alongside Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), Muñoz and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing). Slipstream battles constantly reshuffled the order, while a chasing pack led by Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) closed in.
With four laps remaining, Quiles hit the front and controlled the decisive stages despite pressure from Muñoz, Almansa and Uriarte. Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) crashed out at Turn 10 on the penultimate lap before Muñoz launched a Rossi-style final-corner lunge for victory. However, a front-end moment allowed Quiles to retake the advantage and edge clear to the flag.
Carpe slipstreamed past Muñoz for second to complete an all-Spanish podium. Uriarte claimed a career-best fourth ahead of Almansa, while Morelli finished sixth. Danish secured a career-best seventh, with Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia), Fernandez and O’Gorman completing the top 10.
2026 Catalunya Moto3 Results
| 1 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | 32m 28.964s |
| 2 | Alvaro Carpe | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.094s |
| 3 | David Munoz | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +0.098s |
| 4 | Brian Uriarte | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.128s |
| 5 | David Almansa | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +0.552s |
| 6 | Marco Morelli | ARG | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.581s |
| 7 | Hakim Danish | MAL | AEON Credit- MT Helmets – MSI (KTM) | +0.623s |
| 8 | Veda Pratama | INA | Honda Team Asia (Honda) | +0.984s |
| 9 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +1.011s |
| 10 | Casey O’Gorman | IRL | SIC58 Squadra Corse (Honda) | +1.151s |
2026 Catalunya MotoGP News–Saturday
Tech3 to remain with KTM
Tech3 has confirmed it will remain with KTM in a “multi-year” agreement, with a “refocused” alliance between the two parties.
The French squad, now headed by CEO Guenther Steiner, had been in talks with Honda, and other manufacturers. But the decision was based on the fact a working relationship was already established.
That doesn’t mean changes won’t be afoot. Tech3 will no longer be backed by Red Bull in 2027, Cycle News has learned. “We are talking with a lot of people,” Steiner said when asked about sponsorship opportunities.
KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister was also present, and insisted racing is fundamental to the company. “It is the absolute core of KTM,” he said. “There were a lot of question marks throughout the last 18 months with all of motorsport, not just MotoGP engagement. Racing will always be part of what we do, and what we stand for, and so is MotoGP. I really tried to wash away all of the question marks, are we staying, are we selling. We are definitely staying and not selling.”
Rossi’s message to Ducati
Valentino Rossi was present in Barcelona to watch Fabio Di Giannantonio deliver a Sprint podium before delivering a stunning reminder to Ducati management over its treatment of Pecco Bagnaia.
Rossi said the three-time World Champion, who is part of his own VR46 Academy, is deserving of the same commitment from he is employers that he is currently showing.
“Pecco has a very good attitude this year,” said Rossi to Sky Sports Italia. “I see it, we train often and he’s really giving his all both in his normal life and in training when we go out on the bike. And he really wants to try to win again with the Ducati
“(He) probably won’t race with the Ducati again next year. I’d like them to commit themselves as much as Pecco does to try to get back to the front. Because like in a marriage where you love each other so much, when bad things happen like last year where there were no results, there are still some statements from Pecco… I see that tempers have cooled a lot. But Pecco is trying and I hope that everyone in Ducati will too. Ducati should try, because in my opinion the potential to return to winning ways is there .”
Rossi influence
Rossi’s influence at the track was praised by lead rider Di Giannantonio. “He has an incredible eye, insane. I really get surprised because he sees things that you can see only on the data. And they see these things and you are like, “were you on track with me?” And he is able to see a lot of things from the others, from you, so it’s really interesting, really helpful and really a great opportunity to learn and improve when Vale is here.
“For this also in these years I was asking a lot “when are you coming, when are you coming?” Not just for the presence himself, which is already huge, because the energy that he brings is amazing, but you can really improve a lot with Vale in the garage.
“When you explain that if you give a little input, he sees immediately everything on track. So it’s like he has this great capacity of understanding easily what’s new, also if he didn’t try it. You explain, and he gets it, and when he does a comment back, the comment is right. Like if he tried it. Wow. It’s like, “how do you do that?” It’s incredible.”
MotoGP Sprint Race
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) vs Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). 0.041s. The closest Tissot Sprint finish ever. And it was the sky blue of Marquez who edged out the orange of Acosta in an edge-of-your-seat Saturday blockbuster that saw Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) tumble out of contention early doors. The bronze medal went to Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), the Italian was only 0.4s away from the victory in Barcelona.
On the long run down to Turn 1, it was Acosta vs Alex Marquez for the holeshot, with the polesitter just about keeping his elbows wide enough to keep the Spanish GP winner behind him. Drama unfolded a little further back, involving Acosta’s teammate, Brad Binder. The South African, who got a small nudge on the inside from Di Giannantonio, then collected Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), as both slid out of contention. The Stewards saw it as a racing incident.
Elsewhere, it was a rapid start from Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR), who was getting a wriggle on. The Frenchman briefly held second before Alex Marquez responded, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) bullying his way past Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) and Di Giannantonio on Lap 2.
Then, drama struck for the French GP winner. Martin, at Turn 10 on Lap 3, crashed out of the top-five battle. The #89 was uninjured, but that’s now four crashes this weekend for the 2024 World Champion.
Back at the front, Alex Marquez pounced on Acosta into Turn 1 to lead the Sprint for the first time. Third place was now Fernandez’s, and that soon became P2 on Lap 5 when the lead Aprilia carved up the inside of Acosta at Turn 5.
With five laps to go, Marquez led Fernandez, Acosta, and Di Giannantonio by 0.4s. The winner would be coming from one of these four, but who? Well, Acosta made his move with four laps to go to snatch P2 back from Fernandez. Could the #37 reel in Marquez, who was now 0.6s up the road?
On Lap 11 of 12, Di Giannantonio then demoted Fernandez to P4 with a classic move at Turn 1, as Acosta clawed back a couple of tenths on Marquez.
Last lap time, and over the line, the margin was down to 0.2s. Acosta swarming, Marquez defending, Di Giannantonio lurking. It was all pointing towards a Turn 10 lunge from the polesitter, but Acosta wasn’t quite close enough. And a Rossi-esque lunge at the final corner wasn’t possible either, as Alex Marquez just clung onto a Sprint win on home soil, with less than a tenth of a second splitting the Spaniards.
Less than half a second adrift was Di Giannantonio, as Fernandez faded in the closing stages to finish P4. Zarco’s good start and subsequent decent pace handed the #5 P5 on Saturday, as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) produced a fine comeback from a disappointing P13 in qualifying to P6 in the Sprint.
From the front row, Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) ended the Sprint in P7, 0.6s clear of Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). The Japanese rider clawed his way back from 18th on the grid to bag two points in P8, as championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) struggled to really get going on Saturday afternoon. The Italian’s title chase lead over teammate Martin grows, but only by a single point ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race
| 1 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | 20m 2.258s |
| 2 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.041s |
| 3 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.457s |
| 4 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +2.928s |
| 5 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Castrol Honda LCR (RC213V) | +4.764s |
| 6 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +4.894s |
| 7 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25) | +6.175s |
| 8 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +6.871s |
| 9 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +7.381s |
| 10 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +7.869s |
MotoGP Qualifying
Barcelona has delivered again with a mixed-up order making for a mouthwatering prospect ahead of MotoGP’s Tissot Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix. Having dominated Friday, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) put in a stellar showing to bag his first pole since the Japanese GP in 2024, and he’s joined by Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) on the front row. Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) crashed at Turn 2, leaving him 12th on the grid.
Red sectors were lighting up the timing screen instantly in Q1 as a power-packed line-up hit the track. After the opening run, it was Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Morbidelli who were provisionally moving on through, with pre-session favourites Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in P3, P8 and P11 respectively. Martin took P1 overall in his second run with two minutes to go but a lap later, binned it at Turn 5. It’d still be good enough to see him through but a late charge from Morbidelli saw the Italian take P1 on his final lap, the #21 leading the 2024 World Champion into Q2. For Pecco, he missed out, rooted to P3 and 13th on the grid overall.
Crunch time on Saturday morning, a blockbuster Q2 in prospect. KTM’s strength across the weekend meant two of them were going for pole and after the opening runs, it was Acosta who had set the early benchmark with a 1’38.118 ahead of Alex Marquez and a mighty lap from Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). A slow first flyer for Jorge Martin saw him down in 12th as his first stint ended.
With the second runs now underway, it was a disaster for Bezzecchi who crashed at Turn 2 and that left him P9 at best – not ideal for the Championship leader. Behind him on-track, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) stormed up the order to fifth. At the pointy end, Acosta bettered his lap time to maintain P1 whilst a stonking lap from Morbidelli put the #21 provisionally in P2.
The chequered flag waved and it was a first pole since Motegi in 2024 for Acosta, the Shark with bite this weekend as he gave the Red Bull KTM Factory Team a first pole since Pol Espargaro at the 2020 European GP. Morbidelli impressed team boss Valentino Rossi, in attendance from the service road, as he took a first front row since Sepang last year, whilst Alex Marquez completes the front row in third. Raul Fernandez took his best qualifying since Buriram with fourth on the grid, ahead of a fantastic Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) who takes a fourth top ten in five GPs. Top Ducati in the standings Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) will start sixth.
A valiant effort from Quartararo sees him take seventh whilst Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took a first top ten on the grid since the Sachsenring in 2025. Martin could only manage P9 in the end but did outqualify teammate Bezzecchi for the first time since they became teammates last year. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) completes the top ten, ahead of Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Bezzecchi, the Italian with his worst qualifying showing since Sepang last season when he was P14, his Q2 blighted by that crash.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—MotoGP Qualifying
| 1 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1’38.068s |
| 2 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25) | +0.233s |
| 3 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +0.274s |
| 4 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.385s |
| 5 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Castrol Honda LCR (RC213V) | +0.406s |
| 6 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.409s |
| 7 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.443s |
| 8 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.529s |
| 9 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.584s |
| 10 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.618s |
Moto2 Qualifying
A 1:41.076 all-time Moto2 lap record in Barcelona from Friday pacesetter Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) made sure the Italian clinched his first pole position since the 2024 Austrian GP. 0.262s was the gap to second place Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the Dutchman securing an important front row before he takes a Long Lap penalty on Sunday, with Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) – the World Championship leader – completing the top three.
Having come through Q1, Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Bordoy – MSI) improved on his penultimate lap to earn P4 on the grid, with compatriots Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and Aron Canet (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) rounding out the top six, with that result acting as Canet’s best qualifying result of the campaign.
Having had a huge moment early in the session coming out of Turn 10, 2025 Catalan GP winner Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team) starts P8, one place behind Czechia’s Filip Salač (OnlyFans American Racing), and one place ahead of reigning Moto3 World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). How good is it to see the #98 looking fast and comfortable again?
It was a trickier Saturday for the riders P2 and P3 in the championship, with Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) starting from P10 and P11 respectively. And in P13, there’s David Alonso (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team). That’s a trio of Moto2 race winners coming from the mid-pack.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Moto2 Qualifying
| 1 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | Beta Tools SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | 1m33.910s |
| 2 | Collin Veijer | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +0.262s |
| 3 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.360s |
| 4 | Ivan Ortola | SPA | QJMOTOR – Bordoy – MSI (Kalex) | +0.379s |
| 5 | Alonso Lopez | SPA | ITALJET Gresini Moto2 (Kalex) | +0.445s |
| 6 | Aron Canet | SPA | ELF Marc VDS Racing Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.476s |
| 7 | Filip Salac | CZE | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +0.507s |
| 8 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team (Kalex) | +0.550s |
| 9 | Jose Antonio Rueda | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +0.579s |
| 10 | Luca Lunetta | ITA | Beta Tools SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | +0.605s |
Moto3 Qualifying
Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) takes pole in Barcelona after a stunning late dash for the top, putting in a 1’46.679 to edge out David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) by just 0.005. Rookie Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completes the front row.
After the first runs it was Almansa on top but it all came down to that final push. By the flag, the Spaniard had lost out not only on provisional pole but also the front row – with Uriarte taking over, and then Perrone coming through to take it by just 0.005. Muñoz slots in between the two, pushing Almansa down to fourth.
Row 2 sees the Spaniard joined by Marco Morelli (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team), with Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) slotting into sixth. Championship leder Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) starts P7, looking for a good launch to hammer home his advantage.
Joel Kelso (GRYD – Mlav Racing) takes P8 ahead of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), with Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) completing the top ten – looking for more after his super speed to top Friday.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Moto3 Qualifying
| 1 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | 1m46.679s |
| 2 | David Munoz | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +0.005s |
| 3 | Brian Uriarte | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.019s |
| 4 | David Almansa | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +0.136s |
| 5 | Marco Morelli | ARG | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.248s |
| 6 | Jesus Rios | SPA | Rivacold Snipers Team (Honda) | +0.269s |
| 7 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.303s |
| 8 | Joel Kelso | AUS | GRYD – MLav Racing (Honda) | +0.313s |
| 9 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.328s |
| 10 | Hakim Danish | MAL | AEON Credit- MT Helmets – MSI (KTM) | +0.379s |
Puig’s new role confirmed
Alberto Puig will take up a new role as a Honda Racing Corporation Advisor from 2027. Honda insist the move was voluntary as HRC reorganize its MotoGP organization. Trackhouse Aprilia’s Davide Brivio will arrive as a commercial advisor, while another name is expected to take over Puig’s current role as Team Manager.
“I just want to say Alberto is a really great person,” said Luca Marini. “He’s a great character, even if from the media you cannot feel this. He’s a really one man who speaks directly and there are not so many people in this paddock like him.”
Joan Mir added, “One point that I value a lot from a team manager is transparency. I had moments where Alberto had to calm me, saying, “Joan, hey, you are super-fast, be careful, you have to finish, ,” or, “Joan, now is the time, if you have to crash, let’s do it.” And I live a lot of different phases with Alberto, and always he has been impeccable.” Neil Morrison
Turn 12 causes concerns
The Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya’s Turn 12 was the focus of Friday after Jorge Martin’s FP1 crash, in which he quickly followed his bike into the air fence at speed.
The current title contender invoked Luis Salom, who tragically lost his life at Turn 13 here in 2016, and called for improvements to be made to the track. “I think that it’s really dangerous to crash there,” he said. “I don’t really like to say it, but it reminds me a lot about Luis Salom. When I was crashing, I thought about him straight away.
“Luckily, the bike turned so I went into the fairing and not the handlebars or other pieces. For sure, it’s a place where they need to improve because it’s really dangerous.” Neil Morrison
Acosta’s Le Mans reaction explained
It says a lot about modern MotoGP that Fabio Di Giannantoni’s last lap pass on Pedro Acosta caused controversy. Rider rivalries are so rare that Acosta’s comment afterward – “no one overtakes me while looking at me, I’ll remember that” – was championed on the series’ social media channels.
Five days on and Acosta was keen to move on. “It is what it is. I’m not interested any more in this. It’s stupid to talk about this when we were fighting for fourth. This is the not the result I’m looking for,” he said.
Di Giannantonio meanwhile found humor in some of the reaction. “Honestly, at home I laughed a lot about all the memes and things that appeared. I just tried to do my best overtake as always. I was controlling until the line if he was going to cut back, that’s it.
Then if he’s angry for this, I’m sorry for him, but it’s racing. I was trying to take my position.” Neil Morrison
Friday MotoGP
Just 0.269s covered the field as all five manufacturers and eight teams booked places in Q2 after a frantic Friday chase led by Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The Spaniard put KTM on top, ahead of Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and teammate Brad Binder, while Le Mans winner Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) was left in Q1 after a late crash dropped him to 17th.
The session began with riders building speed and dialing in their setups, with Aprilia initially setting the pace. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) led Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), the Japanese rookie continuing his strong form after his maiden podium. Ogura’s run was interrupted by a harmless Turn 2 crash that forced him onto his spare bike for the remainder of Practice.
As the pace intensified, Bezzecchi ran wide at Turn 4 while Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) crashed at Turn 5. Binder then fired in the first 1’38 lap of the weekend before Acosta went even faster, leading a KTM surge with Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) also inside the top three.
The final ten minutes brought constant changes. Alex Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) all moved into the leading group, while Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) climbed into Q2 contention. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Martin were among the big names still under pressure heading into the closing laps.
Martin’s hopes ended with another Turn 2 fall, consigning him to Q1. Bagnaia briefly secured a top-10 spot, only to be pushed out by Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Nobody could match Acosta at the chequered flag, the KTM star finishing ahead of Alex Marquez and Binder. Fernandez claimed fourth ahead of Zarco, Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi, while Mir crashed late despite ending eighth. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Quartararo completed the Q2 places as Bastianini, Bagnaia, Ogura and Martin were left to regroup.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP
| 1 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1’38.710s |
| 2 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +0.018s |
| 3 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.070s |
| 4 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.078s |
| 5 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Castrol Honda LCR (RC213V) | +0.079s |
| 6 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.109s |
| 7 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.121s |
| 8 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.136s |
| 9 | Jack Miller | AUS | Pramac Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.201s |
| 10 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.269s |
Friday Moto2
Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) completed a perfect Friday in Barcelona by topping both FP1 and Practice, although the margins at the front remained incredibly close. Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) secured second and Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) third, with both riders finishing within a tenth of Vietti’s benchmark 1:41.611. Meanwhile, technical trouble for David Alonso (CFMOTO Impluse Aspar Team) left the Colombian facing another trip through Q1.
Issues struck immediately for Alonso as his Kalex-Triumph stopped on the way out of pit lane at the start of the session. Despite repeated attempts to restart the machine, the #80 was unable to post a meaningful lap until the final stages. He eventually ended the session down in 26th, 1.7s adrift of Vietti after a frustrating afternoon.
On the opposite side of the Aspar garage, Daniel Holgado enjoyed a far smoother session, finishing fourth and just a couple of tenths from the pace. French GP winner Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) rounded out the top five.
Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) spent much of Practice outside the top 20 before improving late on to climb to seventh, just behind fellow Spaniard Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) in sixth.
Alonso won’t be the only notable rider in Q1. Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) also missed out after crashing at Turn 5 late in the session, while French GP podium finisher Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Bordoy – MSI) could only manage 16th on Friday.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Friday Moto2
| 1 | Celestino Vietti | ITA | Beta Tools SpeedRS Team (Boscoscuro) | 1m 41.611s |
| 2 | Senna Agius | AUS | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.014s |
| 3 | Alonso Lopez | SPA | ITALJET Gresini Moto2 (Kalex) | +0.026s |
| 4 | Daniel Holgado | SPA | CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team (Kalex) | +0.204s |
| 5 | Izan Guevara | SPA | BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (Boscoscuro) | +0.216s |
| 6 | Alex Escrig | SPA | KLINT Racing Team (Forward) | +0.348s |
| 7 | Manuel Gonzalez | SPA | LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (Kalex) | +0.400s |
| 8 | Filip Salac | CZE | OnlyFans American Racing Team (Kalex) | +0.462s |
| 9 | Collin Veijer | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) | +0.477s |
| 10 | Ayumu Sasaki | JPN | Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team (Kalex) | +0.493s |
Friday Moto3
It had been ten years since a Malaysian rider last topped a Moto3 session, but Hakin Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) ended Friday with a clean sweep after leading both FP1 and Practice. The Malaysian heads into Saturday as the rider to beat in a Moto3 field full of surprises.
Danish controlled the pace throughout the day and made the most of clear track conditions in the afternoon to fire in a 1’46.943, the only lap of the class in the 1’46s. His effort put him at the head of a KTM 1-2, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finishing second, while Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) claimed top Honda honours after arriving in Barcelona on the back of consecutive podiums at Jerez and Le Mans.
2025 polesitter David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) followed in fourth, while Valentin Perrone recovered from a quieter morning to secure fifth. Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) ended the day sixth, with Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) seventh.
Several big names were left facing Q1. David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) briefly moved into the top ten on his final lap, only to lose the time because of yellow flags. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) also missed out after crashing for the second Practice session in succession, while Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) was forced into Q1 for the third round in a row.
2026 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Friday Moto3
| 1 | Hakim Danish | MAL | AEON Credit- MT Helmets – MSI (KTM) | 1m 46.943s |
| 2 | Brian Uriarte | SPA | Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) | +0.099s |
| 3 | Adrian Fernandez | SPA | Leopard Racing (Honda) | +0.203s |
| 4 | David Almansa | SPA | Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) | +0.419s |
| 5 | Valentin Perrone | ARG | Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) | +0.558s |
| 6 | Matteo Bertelle | ITA | LEVEL UP – MTA (KTM) | +0.656s |
| 7 | Maximo Quiles | SPA | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.693s |
| 8 | Ryusei Yamanaka | JPN | AEON Credit- MT Helmets – MSI (KTM) | +0.725s |
| 9 | Marco Morelli | ARG | CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) | +0.734s |
| 10 | Jesus Rios | SPA | Rivacold Snipers Team (Honda) | +0.746s |
