The Thai Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, gives the green light to the 2026 Motorcycle World Championship with the Spaniard Marc Márquez (Ducati) ready to defend his crown against friends and strangers, with enemies within the family, the Italian brand and outside his environment, while in Moto2 and Moto3 new chapters are opening without notable favorites.
Live, the sprint race of the 2026 MotoGP Thai Grand Prix
Marc Márquez begins the defense of the crown on the same track where last year he opened the championship with a double – Sprint and long race – in his debut dressed in official red. After overcoming some stomach problems in the last test, the current champion arrives ready to compete on a circuit that marked the beginning of his successful return and where he aspires to continue expanding his love affair with Ducati.
In the preseason he was competitive again and closed the tests among the fastest despite some falls without consequences. But that last test, completed on February 22 in Buriram, left clear clues; the Italian Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) clocked a 1:28.668 which represents the fastest lap ever recorded on the Thai trackeven falling below the pace of the official record, while the Japanese Ai Ogura surprised with second position and Marc Márquez completed the leading trio.
The times confirmed that Aprilia has taken a step forward and that the champion will have no room for relaxation, because Jorge Martín is confident of going further to join the Bezzecchi in that fight. And within the Ducati universe, the competition is also tight. ┴lex Márquez, runner-up last year, He was already fast here in 2025 and has maintained a good feeling during the winter, while Francesco Bagnaia seeks to leave behind an irregular year in which he alternated flashes with setbacks.
