The MotoGP sprint at the Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram provided an explosive start to the 2026 season, highlighted by a dramatic battle between young challenger Pedro Acosta and seasoned veteran Marc Márquez. Initially, pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi led the early laps, showing strong pace after topping practice and qualifying, but he crashed out in the second lap, instantly reshaping the dynamics at the front of the pack. This opened the door for Acosta and Márquez to engage in a tense wheel-to-wheel duel as they fought over the lead.
Acosta, starting from sixth on the grid, steadily worked his way forward, overtaking rivals such as Raúl Fernández and capitalizing on opportunities as they arose. Once Bezzecchi was out, the race boiled down to a fierce scrap between the KTM rider and the Ducati-mounted Márquez. Both riders traded positions and pushed each other relentlessly, showcasing skill and determination across the 13-lap sprint distance.
The defining moment came on the final lap. As Acosta executed a late overtake on Márquez, contact between the two unsettled Acosta’s line. Race stewards reviewed the incident and issued a one-place penalty to Márquez, forcing him to relinquish the advantage and hand Acosta the victory. The decision was controversial, drawing mixed reactions from fans and pundits, with some questioning whether the late-race contact merited intervention.
Despite the drama, Pedro Acosta crossed the line first, earning his first sprint race win in MotoGP and becoming one of the youngest riders to do so. The result also put him at the top of the provisional championship standings early in the weekend. Acosta himself expressed that while he was delighted with the result, he might have preferred a victory achieved purely on track without the late-race penalty influencing the outcome.
Behind the leading duo, Raúl Fernández rounded out the podium in third, securing valuable points and completing a strong Spanish showing at the front. Other notable finishers included Ai Ogura and Jorge Martín, while several big names like Francesco Bagnaia and Joan Mir also scored points in the tightly contested sprint.
Overall, the Thailand sprint race delivered a gripping mix of high-speed action, strategic overtakes, and late-race controversy — setting the tone for what promises to be an intense and unpredictable MotoGP season.
MiniBikers – MotoGP
2026 Thailand GP
Sprint
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