Martin. Marquez. Bezzecchi. Aprilia. Ducati. And That’s Not Even Half the Story: Get Ready for a Memorable Showdown on the Riviera
Monday, 7 September 2026
Who wouldn’t want two more major European rounds before the most demanding part of the season begins? We certainly would, and fortunately that is exactly what MotoGP has in store over the next two weeks. The magnificent Styrian mountains and Austria’s Red Bull Ring will soon be calling, but first the championship heads to the sparkling Adriatic coast, where the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is preparing to host the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera.
The thrilling MotoGP title fight delivered several twists at the previous round in Aragon. As a result, the top three riders arrive at Misano separated by just 24 points, with one of this weekend’s home heroes, Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing, firmly in the spotlight.
MM93–MARTIN: THE MOMENTUM SWINGS
We will come back to Bezzecchi and Aprilia shortly, but after collecting 37 points at a circuit that suited him perfectly, Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team arrives on rival territory determined to reduce his 19-point deficit to World Championship leader Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing. If the opportunity arises, he could even take control of the title race—an outcome that is far from impossible.
Many expected the reigning world champion to claim maximum points in Aragon, and the number 93 did not disappoint. Misano may not necessarily be considered his undisputed kingdom, but Marquez has nevertheless recorded six MotoGP victories at the circuit, including two in the past two years.
Thinking back to the 2025 San Marino Grand Prix also brings memories of the fascinating battle between Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi. A repeat performance would be more than welcome.
With the competition entering its decisive phase, the road to Valencia is now clearly in sight. Martin, Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi are separated by just 24 points. Will the championship remain a three-way fight, or can somebody else force their way back into contention?
APRILIA LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER ON HOME SOIL
Despite encountering some difficulties in Aragon, it was not a bad weekend for Aprilia. Considering Bezzecchi’s steady recovery, it proved to be an excellent round for the Italian ahead of his home Grand Prix, as he managed to reduce his championship deficit to Martin by several points.
For Martin, the Aragon weekend was simply one in which he did not have the pace required to fight for the podium. He therefore settled for the best results available, securing fifth place in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
In 2026, the number 89 can rely on a clear, calm and experienced approach, strengthened by everything he learned during the 2024 season and by the consistency he has demonstrated ever since. Consistency alone, however, may not be enough.
The Spaniard won both the Tissot Sprint and the Grand Prix at Misano in 2023. Can he fight for those honours again this weekend and preserve—or even extend—his championship lead?
THE CHASING PACK
Fabio Di Giannantonio of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team endured one of his most difficult weekends of the season in Aragon, losing valuable championship points. A podium at Misano would be warmly welcomed by the Italian, who urgently needs strong results if he is to re-enter the title battle.
The gap between Martin and Di Giannantonio currently stands at 48 points, while Ai Ogura of the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team is 53 points behind the championship leader after a hand injury forced the Japanese rider to miss the MotorLand round. Where will Ogura fit into the competitive order on his return?
Then there is Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The Spaniard produced a superb race in Aragon on Sunday, fighting wheel-to-wheel with his future 2027 teammate for much of the Grand Prix and once again demonstrating what he is capable of achieving.
Although the title may now appear too distant, the number 37 looks certain to play a significant role in deciding who will be crowned 2026 world champion. Can Acosta deliver another performance of the same calibre at Misano?
Raul Fernandez of the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team currently occupies seventh place. After an unforgettable Grand Prix at Silverstone, Aragon represented the complete opposite for the Spaniard. An unfortunate mechanical problem on Sunday increased his deficit to the championship leader to 70 points. Fernandez will be looking for an immediate response this weekend.
MIXED FORTUNES
Alex Marquez of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team claimed second place in the Sprint and finished fourth in the Aragon Grand Prix, confirming an impressive return to competition. Fermin Aldeguer also produced two solid sixth-place finishes, an excellent way to bounce back following his injury. Both Spaniards will arrive in San Marino confident that they can challenge for the leading positions.
For Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team, however, MotorLand was a weekend to forget. The Italian has now failed to finish three of the past four Sunday races and will be desperate to regain momentum in front of his home supporters at Misano.
The same applies to Franco Morbidelli of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, who is aiming to return to the top ten for the first time since the Catalan Grand Prix.
Enea Bastianini of Red Bull KTM Tech3 arrives at a circuit filled with important memories. “The Beast” won at Misano in 2024 and secured his first MotoGP podium there in 2021. He now returns after finishing eighth in Aragon.
Brad Binder’s tenth place on Sunday, meanwhile, does not tell the full story. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider dropped as low as 20th during the opening stages of the Grand Prix before producing a rapid recovery through the field.
Finally, after replacing the injured Maverick Viñales during the previous two Grands Prix, Pol Espargaró will continue to race for Red Bull KTM Tech3 at Misano while the number 12 continues his recovery.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
How good was it to see Johann Zarco of Castrol Honda LCR back on a MotoGP bike? And what a return it was. After missing the previous six Grands Prix, Zarco reached Q2 without difficulty, followed that performance with ninth place in the Sprint and then claimed a championship point on Sunday despite having to serve a double Long Lap penalty.
His teammate Diogo Moreira of Pro Honda LCR also impressed. Seventh place in the Sprint and ninth in the Grand Prix gave the Brazilian his second double points-scoring weekend of the year.
Moreira has already achieved five Sunday top-ten finishes in 2026, while the number 11 also finished as the leading HRC rider in Aragon. His progress has been impressive.
On the other hand, despite both riders scoring points at MotorLand, it was a relatively subdued weekend for Joan Mir and his Honda HRC Castrol teammate Luca Marini. Both will be looking for more at Misano, particularly Marini in front of his home crowd.
Yamaha returned to the top ten in Aragon, with Jack Miller of Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP leading the charge. The Australian has now achieved four consecutive top-12 finishes as he prepares for Misano.
His teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu ended the weekend with a crash at Turn 12, but the Turkish rider gave his rivals plenty to think about while fighting for a place inside the top ten for much of the event.
Alex Rins of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP collected points with 13th place in his home Grand Prix, while teammate Fabio Quartararo is still searching for his first Sunday points finish since taking seventh at the German Grand Prix. Misano is also the circuit where the Frenchman was crowned MotoGP world champion in 2021.
With 37 points available every weekend, each Grand Prix represents a crucial chapter in the championship as the pendulum continues to swing throughout the 2026 season.
Will Martin, Marquez and Bezzecchi continue to break away at the front? Or can one of their rivals respond and force their way back into contention?
The Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera will provide the next answer as the championship turns its attention towards Valencia and the pressure continues to rise.
Tags: MotoGP, San Marino Grand Prix, Misano, Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, Ducati Lenovo Team, Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Pedro Acosta, Ai Ogura, Raul Fernandez, Alex Marquez, Fermin Aldeguer, Enea Bastianini, Brad Binder, Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira, Fabio Quartararo, Toprak Razgatlioglu, 2026 MotoGP World Championship
MotoGP