Bezzecchi rewrites the record books on Friday in Buriram as Bagnaia faces Q1 fight
The first competitive Friday of the 2026 MotoGP season delivered drama immediately, with Marco Bezzecchistamping his authority on the weekend at the Chang International Circuit. The Aprilia Racing rider fired in a stunning 1’28.526, officially breaking the all-time lap record and going even faster than his benchmark from pre-season testing. It was a clear warning shot to the rest of the grid: Aprilia’s winter pace is not theoretical—it’s real.
Dark clouds hovered over Buriram during the decisive Practice session, and the threat of rain added urgency to every lap. Riders knew that a sudden shower could lock the order and force big names into the dangerous first qualifying session. In the end, defending champion Marc Marquez rescued second place late on, while Fabio Di Giannantoniosecured an impressive third. However, two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia was left down in 15th, condemning him to the added pressure of Q1.
Aprilia underline their strength
Aprilia’s form was one of the defining themes of winter testing, and Friday confirmed those gains have carried into race conditions. Bezzecchi completed a perfect opening day, topping the morning Free Practice before delivering his record-breaking lap in the afternoon. His margin—more than four tenths over Marquez—was enormous by modern MotoGP standards, where tenths are usually split between entire rows of the grid.
His teammate, Jorge Martin, reinforced Aprilia’s strength by finishing fifth. Martin has been steadily rebuilding confidence after injury setbacks disrupted parts of last season, and his pace across both testing and Friday’s sessions suggests he is already comfortable again on the RS-GP. A minor fall earlier in the day caused no damage, allowing him to continue without interruption.
Taken together, the performances of both factory Aprilia riders—and the strong testing form from the Trackhouse satellite squad—highlight a manufacturer arriving at the season opener with arguably its most competitive package yet.
Marquez recovers as Bagnaia struggles
Marc Marquez’s session was far from straightforward. For much of the hour he hovered outside the crucial top ten, risking a difficult start to his title defence. But as grip improved and the track evolved, he delivered when it mattered, climbing rapidly up the order to secure second place before the chequered flag.
That late surge reinforced Ducati’s underlying strength, even if they were unable to match Bezzecchi’s outright speed.
Bagnaia’s situation was very different. Despite showing flashes of pace—setting competitive sector times—he never managed to string together a complete lap. The Italian, who previously held the Buriram lap record, now finds himself needing to fight through Q1 simply to reach the pole shootout. It’s an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position for a rider accustomed to starting near the front.
Di Giannantonio and KTM keep pressure on
Di Giannantonio continued his impressive run of form, leading large portions of the session before slipping to third late on. Crucially, his fastest lap came at the end of a longer run, suggesting his speed is backed by strong tyre management rather than a single qualifying attempt. That consistency could prove valuable in both Sprint and Grand Prix conditions.
Pedro Acosta led KTM’s charge in fourth place. Still chasing his first MotoGP victory, Acosta once again demonstrated the aggressive pace and confidence that made him one of the sport’s most highly rated young talents. His teammate Brad Binder also secured direct entry to Q2 in eighth after a late improvement.
Meanwhile, Alex Marquez finished sixth for Gresini Racing, continuing his steady form after last year’s runner-up championship finish.
Honda, a manufacturer that struggled significantly in recent seasons, found encouragement through Joan Mir, who placed seventh and emerged as the brand’s fastest representative.
Drama for Ogura, Zarco advances
One of Friday’s standout performers was rookie Ai Ogura, who secured ninth and automatic passage into Q2. However, his session ended abruptly with a fall at Turn 7 in the closing minutes. Fortunately, he walked away uninjured and remains in contention for a strong qualifying result.
Veteran French rider Johann Zarco claimed the final direct Q2 spot, ensuring Honda had two bikes advancing automatically.
With only ten riders progressing directly, attention now turns to Q1—where Bagnaia’s presence guarantees intense competition for the remaining qualifying places.
Moto2: Gonzalez leads disrupted opening day
The intermediate class also delivered surprises. Manuel Gonzalez topped Moto2 Practice with a new lap record of 1:34.501, continuing the momentum that saw him win at Buriram last season.
Rain briefly affected parts of the circuit, preventing several riders from improving their times late in the session. Among those caught out was reigning Moto2 world champion Diogo Moreira, who ended the day outside the automatic Q2 positions and will need to fight through Q1.
Several established race winners—including Joe Roberts, Tony Arbolino, and Deniz Oncu—also find themselves in the same situation, creating one of the most competitive Moto2 Q1 sessions in recent memory.
Moto3: Almansa sets early benchmark
In Moto3, David Almansa made an immediate impression by setting the fastest time on his debut weekend with Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP. He was the only rider to break into the 1’40 bracket, underlining both his speed and adaptability.
He was followed by Alvaro Carpe and Valentin Perrone, while British rider Scott Ogden secured a place in the top six and direct entry into Q2.
One notable casualty was three-time Grand Prix winner David Muñoz, who missed the cut and must progress through Q1.
Triumph unveils prize bikes and sustainable fuel programme
Away from the track, Triumph Motorcycles revealed the latest Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition machines that will serve as prizes in the 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy competition. One will be awarded to the Moto2 rider voted by fans as the season’s standout performer, while another identical model will be given to a fan through a global prize draw.
Triumph also confirmed it will begin testing 100% non-fossil fuels in its Moto2 engines during the season. The move aligns with MotoGP’s wider sustainability goals ahead of the planned transition to fully sustainable fuel regulations in 2027, marking a significant technological shift for the championship.
Friday sets the stage for qualifying showdown
The opening day of competitive action in Thailand has already reshaped expectations. Bezzecchi and Aprilia look genuinely formidable, Ducati remain dangerous but vulnerable, and several manufacturers have closed the gap.
With Bagnaia forced into Q1 and Marquez chasing from behind, qualifying promises immediate drama. The first pole position of the season—and perhaps the first true indication of the championship hierarchy—is now just hours away.
Images Official MotoGP
