With two rounds completed and twenty still to run, the MotoGP paddock now makes the journey from Brazil to the United States for one of the most unique and demanding tracks on the calendar—the Circuit of the Americas. The shift couldn’t be more dramatic: from one of the shortest layouts to the longest, from the rhythm of Goiania to the stop-start intensity of Austin.
COTA has built a reputation for producing unpredictable and often chaotic races, and after last year’s dramatic edition, expectations are already high. The long straights, heavy braking zones, and technical final sector demand complete precision, and it’s a circuit where small mistakes can quickly turn into big consequences. With momentum shifting early in the season, Texas could once again shake up the pecking order.
Bezzecchi vs Marquez: a rivalry ready to ignite?
All eyes heading into the weekend are on the potential clash between Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez. Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) arrives in Austin in red-hot form, having won the last four Grands Prix stretching back to the end of last season. That run has propelled him into the championship lead and firmly established him as the rider to beat.
However, COTA has long been considered Marc Marquez territory. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider boasts an incredible record at the Texan circuit, with seven victories to his name. Despite that dominance, last year’s race didn’t go to plan, with a costly mistake in wet conditions denying him another win.
That history adds extra intrigue to this weekend. Bezzecchi has the momentum, but Marquez has the track record—and the motivation to bounce back. The pair have already gone head-to-head at several circuits in recent times, including Misano, Assen, and the Red Bull Ring. COTA could provide another chapter in what is quickly becoming one of the defining rivalries of the season.
Aprilia’s momentum continues to build
Aprilia arrive in Austin riding a wave of confidence after a historic performance in Brazil. A double podium finish there has placed the Noale factory first and second in the championship standings, underlining the strength of their package in 2026.
Jorge Martin sits second overall after returning to the podium, marking his first Grand Prix top-three finish since his title-winning campaign in 2024. However, he faces a fresh challenge this weekend, having missed last year’s race at COTA.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) remains firmly in the mix as well. Now third in the standings and just 14 points behind Bezzecchi, the young Spaniard continues to impress with his consistency. His performance in Brazil showed maturity, and he has previously demonstrated strong pace at COTA.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is another rider to watch. After securing his first podium of the season in Brazil—holding off Marquez in the closing stages—he heads to a track where he finished third last year. Confidence will be high as he looks to build on that momentum.
Early season surprises and rising contenders
One of the standout performers so far has been Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). The Japanese rider has been remarkably consistent, finishing every Sprint and Grand Prix inside the top five. As the championship heads to the team’s home round, expectations will be high for another strong result.
His teammate Raul Fernandez has shown flashes of pace, including a podium in Thailand, but has lacked consistency, making Austin an important opportunity to stabilise his campaign.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP), last year’s podium finisher at COTA and runner-up in the championship, is still adapting to the latest machinery but remains a threat. Meanwhile, riders like Brad Binder and Franco Morbidelli will be aiming to bounce back after difficult outings in Brazil.
Another encouraging sign came from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who showed strong qualifying pace in Goiania. Starting fourth there was a step forward, and he’ll now be looking to convert that into a strong race result as Yamaha continues to refine its V4 project.
The fight to break into the top ten
Further down the order, several riders are targeting a breakthrough weekend in Austin.
Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) currently leads Honda’s charge in the standings, narrowly ahead of Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol). Joan Mir, despite showing glimpses of pace, has been hampered by misfortune and crashes that have masked his true potential.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is another rider searching for answers. The two-time MotoGP champion has endured a difficult start to the season, struggling to consistently finish inside the top seven. However, he arrives at a circuit where he won last year, offering a chance to reset and regain momentum.
Fermin Aldeguer also made a solid return in Brazil, immediately breaking into the top ten. He’ll be aiming to continue that upward trajectory this weekend.
Personal battles and points to prove
Beyond the front runners, there are several individual stories to follow.
Diogo Moreira impressed in Brazil with a strong performance in front of his home fans, securing points for the second race in a row. Now, his focus shifts to achieving a top ten finish on Sunday.
At Red Bull KTM Tech3, both Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales are looking for improvement. Viñales, a previous winner at COTA, is still chasing his first points of the season and will see this as a key opportunity.
Yamaha’s expanded effort also remains under the spotlight. Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu all showed glimpses of potential in Brazil. Rins has already scored points twice this season, while Razgatlioglu continues his adaptation to MotoGP and searches for his first points in the class.
Texas ready for another classic
COTA rarely disappoints, and with the championship battle already heating up, this weekend promises another unpredictable chapter. The mix of form, history, and raw speed creates the perfect conditions for drama.
Will Bezzecchi continue his winning streak and strengthen his grip on the championship? Or can Marc Marquez reassert his dominance at one of his most successful circuits?
One thing is certain—when MotoGP rolls into Texas, anything can happen.
