Under the scorching Tuscan sun and with track temperatures reaching nearly 50°C, Mugello delivered a brutal test of speed, tyre management and survival. But while several title contenders struggled to keep control of the race, Raúl Fernández produced the finest sprint performance of his career, conquering Italy with a flawless ride that secured his first-ever Saturday victory in the premier class.
The foundations of the win were built right from the start. Although Marco Bezzecchi had stormed to pole position with a record-breaking lap and led an all-Aprilia front row, the opening corners completely reshaped the race. Fernández reacted brilliantly off the line, avoiding early contact between rivals and immediately placing himself at the front. Once he found clean air, the Trackhouse rider never looked back.
Jorge Martin quickly emerged as his main challenger. The Aprilia factory rider stayed within striking distance throughout the eleven-lap contest, matching Fernández’s pace for long stretches and waiting for a mistake that never came. Both riders benefited from choosing the medium rear tyre, a decision that allowed them to pull away from the rest of the field while others struggled with grip in the extreme heat.
Behind the leading duo, Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered a strong recovery ride to secure the final podium position. The Italian delighted the Mugello crowd after overtaking Diogo Moreira in the latter stages, while Bezzecchi salvaged fourth place despite losing ground after starting from pole. Marc Marquez, returning to competition after surgery following his Le Mans injuries, showed flashes of pace but ultimately had to settle for fifth as he continued rebuilding confidence on the Ducati.
The race itself was filled with tension behind the front runners. Several riders suffered costly mistakes, including crashes for Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli, while the demanding conditions forced competitors into carefully balancing aggression with tyre conservation. Every lap became a battle against both rivals and the unforgiving Mugello asphalt.
For Fernández, however, this afternoon felt like a breakthrough moment. After fighting through Q1, qualifying on the front row and then defeating some of the strongest names in the championship, the Spaniard delivered a statement performance at one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar. With his first sprint victory now secured and Aprilia continuing to dominate the front of the field, Mugello may be remembered as the day Raúl Fernández fully arrived among the sport’s elite.
MiniBikers – MotoGP
2026 Italian GP
Sprint Race
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