Bezzecchi Continues Dominant Run with Victory at MotoGP Americas GP

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing extended his impressive start to the 2026 MotoGP season with a commanding victory at the Americas Grand Prix, held Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas. The Italian rider, rebounding from a disappointing Sprint race on Saturday, secured his fifth consecutive win, making history in the process. The race, held under sunny skies in Texas, saw a dramatic opening lap and a thrilling battle for the podium positions.

Bezzecchi Makes History at COTA

Bezzecchi, starting from fourth on the grid due to a penalty incurred during qualifying, quickly moved into contention. A collision with Red Bull KTM’s Pedro Acosta on the opening lap proved pivotal, allowing Bezzecchi to seize the lead. While the contact caused some damage to the rear aero of his Aprilia RS-GP, it didn’t hinder his pace. The victory wasn’t just about taking the checkered flag. Bezzecchi surpassed Jorge Lorenzo’s previous record of 103 consecutive laps led, now boasting an impressive total of 121.

A Tight Battle for Second

Behind Bezzecchi, the battle for second place was intense. Jorge Martin, likewise riding for Aprilia Racing, pressured Acosta throughout much of the race. Martin ultimately overtook Acosta on lap 14 of 20, securing his position as the runner-up, finishing just over two seconds behind his teammate. Acosta, despite running wide on a couple of occasions, managed to hold off a strong challenge and secure his second podium finish of the season.

Ducati Struggles, Marquez Fights Through the Pack

The Ducati contingent faced a more challenging race. Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina VR46 Ducati finished fourth, marking the fourth consecutive race where a Ducati rider has secured the top spot among the Italian manufacturer’s teams. However, he finished nearly seven seconds behind the victorious Bezzecchi. Marc Marquez, riding for the Ducati Lenovo Team, had a challenging race, hampered by a long-lap penalty stemming from contact with Di Giannantonio during the Sprint race. Despite the setback, Marquez demonstrated resilience, improving his pace as the race progressed and ultimately finishing fifth, eight seconds off the lead.

KTM and Yamaha Show Promise

Enea Bastianini of Red Bull KTM Tech3 delivered a solid performance, finishing sixth, just a tenth of a second behind Marquez. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati) secured seventh place, while Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) finished eighth. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) rounded out the top ten. Further down the field, Toprak Razgatlioglu of Pramac Yamaha achieved a milestone, scoring his first MotoGP points with a 15th-place finish.

Tyre Strategy and Race Dynamics

The race saw all riders opting for medium compound tires, both front and rear, a different strategy than Martin’s gamble with a medium rear tire during the Sprint race, which ultimately led to a dramatic win. The tyre choice appeared to be a successful one, providing consistent grip throughout the 20-lap race.

Marquez Reflects on Fifth-Place Finish

Marc Marquez acknowledged his struggles during the weekend, stating that his performance was the limiting factor, not the Ducati bike itself. “I’m the one missing, not the bike,” Marquez said, according to Motorsport.com. He conceded that a podium finish was possible, but a victory was unlikely given the circumstances. He is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in 2025.

Race Results

* Rookie

The MotoGP season continues with the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez from April 24-26. Bezzecchi’s dominant form makes him the clear championship leader, but the competition is fierce, and the season promises to be full of twists and turns.

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