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Supercross: Results From Birmingham, Alabama

Mathilde Gasnier
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Supercross: Results From Birmingham, Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After the lone off weekend of the season, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship made its anticipated return to action for Round 10 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship from Protective Stadium. It proved to be a statement night for 450SMX Class points leader Hunter Lawrence, who enjoyed arguably the single-best performance of his career with Honda HRC Progressive in a dominant ride that netted the Australian back-to-back victories and three wins over the past four races.

 

 

 

Hunter Lawrence Dominant in Birmingham as Back-to-Back  Wins Extend Championship Lead Inside Protective Stadium

 

The 20 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event for the 450SMX Class got underway with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine of Jorge Prado out front for the holeshot ahead of Lawrence. The Honda rider went on the attack immediately and seized control of the race while Prado settled in ahead of his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Eli Tomac. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the reigning champion, and Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen gave chase.

 
With a clear track, Lawrence was able to build a multi-second lead in the opening laps as Tomac engaged in an extended battle with Prado, which allowed Roczen, who came out the gate in 16th, to join the fight from fourth. Tomac made the move on his teammate for second and brought Roczen along into third. It wasn’t long before Roczen then went after Tomac and made quick work to take control of second. From there, the lead trio remained unchanged as Lawrence managed a lead of about four seconds over Roczen, while Tomac dropped well back and lost touch with his rivals. While Roczen did make inroads on Lawrence at times, heavy lapped traffic hindered any significant gains of momentum.

 
Lawrence took his third career win by a margin of 2.3 seconds over Roczen. Tomac followed more than 30 seconds back in third but made the most of a challenging evening that saw him navigate his first LCQ since the 2019 season after an incident with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in their Heat Race.

 
Lawrence extended his lead in the 450SMX Class standings over Tomac to nine points, while Roczen’s sixth podium finish of the season allowed him to take hold of third, 31 points behind Lawrence.

 

Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence captured his third win in the last four races with arguably the best performance of his career. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Hunter Lawrence – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:

“It feels good [to win for the third time in four races]. I’m just taking it one race at a time. It’s easy to think about the end result, which is the title, but I’m just trying to stay focused in the moment. Anything can happen, as we’ve seen tonight, so I’m just happy to be up here.”

 

Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen gained 14 positions en route to an impressive runner-up finish. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Ken Roczen – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:

“I’m ecstatic, honestly. I think I rode really well, but you can’t start 15th and expect to win a race. Inconsistency on the start [is something] I’m not happy with. I rode so good tonight. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but with racing like that I’m totally fine with it.”

 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac overcame a trip to the LCQ to finish on the podium in third. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Eli Tomac – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:

“I just wasn’t as good tonight as the front two. That’s it. Of course, the LCQ was very stressful and a high-pressure moment, but I got myself out there to a good start [in the Main Event] on the outside gate and just got beat tonight. Just a little bit off. It’s tough, one of those nights, but we’ll try to regroup next week and see if we can get back up front.”

 

450SMX Class Podium (left to right): Ken Roczen, Hunter Lawrence, and Eli Tomac. Photo courtesy SMX

 

 

 

 

Haiden Deegan Finishes First in 250SMX Class East/West Showdown, Penalized One Position for Cutting Track

 

The 250SMX Class came into Birmingham with heightened tension as the first East/West Showdown of the 2026 season brought together the best of both the Western and Eastern Divisional Championships. The 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event began with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen alongside Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies, the Eastern Divisional points leader. Kitchen edged out the young New Zealander for the holeshot and the pair then defined the first half of the race by trading for the lead three times before Davies appeared to assert his control of the Main Event with just over seven minutes remaining.

 
The battle behind the lead duo was exceptional as well between Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, the Western Divisional points leader and reigning champion who started well back of his rivals in 10th place. Shimoda compiled an impressive march to the front that saw him pass Kitchen for second and challenge Davies for the lead late in the race. Deegan, meanwhile, mounted a charge of his own that carried him by both Hammaker and Kitchen into third to establish a three-rider fight for the win. Shimoda came up short on several attempts to pass Davies for the lead in the waning minutes, which played into Deegan’s hands. The Yamaha rider made the move on Shimoda for second and moments later surged past his teammate to grab the lead with about a minute left on the race clock.

 
Deegan sprinted away in the closing laps to take an impressive come-from-behind victory. Davies battled back from a last lap pass by Shimoda to finish second, 3.6 seconds behind Deegan, while Hammaker took advantage of a miscue by Shimoda with two turns remaining to steal third. Kitchen rounded out the top five.

 
Following the conclusion of the race, AMA officials reviewed a moment during the Main Event that saw Deegan make an illegal lane shift through a split-lane section of the racetrack that required riders to commit to a single lane. As a result, Deegan was penalized one position for cutting the track, which ultimately gave the win to Davies.

With the penalty and subsequent win, Davies now leads the Eastern Divisional Championship by six points over Hammaker, with Shimoda nine points behind in third. In the Western Divisional Championship, Deegan’s healthy lead in the standings sits at 42 points over his teammate Max Anstie, who finished seventh, with Kitchen 47 points out of the lead in third.

 

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) was awarded the East/West Showdown victory after a penalty was assessed to teammate Haiden Deegan. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Cole Davies – 1st Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown*:

“Looking at the positives, I [gained] points tonight, but I’m not exactly happy with that. I rode terrible, to be honest. I was just overriding. We still made [gains] in points so I’m happy with that, but I’m not happy with my riding. It is what it is and we’re on to the next round.”

*Quote recorded prior to enforcement of penalty.

 

Even though he took the checkered flag, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan was relegated to second after a penalty for cutting the track. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Haiden Deegan – 2nd Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown*:
“I heard a lot of things coming in here making it seem like the battle for the win would be close. I came out here to whoop everyone’s butt for these Alabama fans. That was a good time [coming from 10th to first]. I sent it for sure.”
 
*Quote recorded prior to enforcement of penalty.
 
 
 
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker’s patience and consistency paid off with a third-place finish. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Seth Hammaker – 3rd Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown:

“I’m a little disappointed [with my result]. You always want to come out and win at the showdowns, but I didn’t have it tonight. Those other guys were riding good. Early on and midway through the race I didn’t really have the pace. I felt better at the end but that’s not when you need it. It’s good to know I have the endurance, but I need to be better at the beginning. Other than that, solid night.”

 

 

250SMX Class East/West Showdown Podium (left to right): Cole Davies, Haiden Deegan, and Seth Hammaker. Photo courtesy SMX.

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth and final qualifying race of SMX Next – Supercross served as an exciting addition to the action in Birmingham, as 22 of the most elite A and B class prospects in amateur motocross gathered one more time before the AMA National Championship on April 25th in Philadelphia. Three different racers had claimed victory at the first three events, which set the stage for a wide-open battle for the win inside Protective Stadium. A multi-rider incident in the first turn of the Main Event eliminated two top contenders off the start as the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing duo of Kayden Minear, the Anaheim winner, and Landen Gordon, the fastest qualifier, came together and dropped out of contention. Out front, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Vincent Wey took full advantage of a stellar start to turn a holeshot into a wire-to-wire performance in which he never faced a serious challenge. Wey, the son of former SMX racer Nick Wey, was consistent and continuously added to his race lead throughout the 8 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event to capture his first SMX Next victory and continue the exceptional parity that has defined the development division all season. Fellow Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green racer Kade Johnson finished second for a 1-2 sweep, while ClubMX Yamaha’s Ryder Malinoski finished third.

 

Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Vincent Wey became the fourth different SMX Next winner of the season with his first victory in the development division. Photo courtesy SMX.

 

Vincent Wey – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross:

“That was the sickest race of my life. I got a great start and hit my marks every single lap. That was so much fun. Me and my dad have had a lot of long days, just logging laps. We came here last year, and I think I crashed every single time I went on the track. I came in here with the mindset to do better than last year and I think I did that.”

 

 

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 28, with Round 11 from Detroit’s Ford Field. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Peacock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com). 

All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.

 

 

 

For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Goiânia

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Goiânia

Marco Bezzecchi won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 23-lap race by 3.231 seconds.

His teammate, Jorge Martin was the runner-up.

Poleman, Fabio Di Giannantonio placed third on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Marc Marquez got fourth on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Ai Ogura crossed the finish line fifth on his Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.

Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship with 56 points, 11 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 45 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 42 points.

 

Classification motogp

 

worldstanding motogp

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Bezzecchi storms to victory ahead of Martin, Diggia defeats Marc Marquez on take two. Aprilia make history and take a 1-2 in Brazil as the #49 gets some Sunday revenge on the reigning Champion.

History = made! MotoGP is back in Brazil and Marco Bezzecchi is back on top as the Aprilia Racing rider took a stunning fourth Grand Prix win in a row in Brazil, and for the first time in Aprilia’s history. To add to the headlines for the Noale factory, teammate Jorge Martin takes second place to back up his awesome return to the rostrum on Saturday. Completing the podium, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) defeated Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) on their rematch after the Sprint showdown, the #49 turning the tables in style.

After a poorer start on Saturday, Bezzecchi nailed it on Sunday to take the holeshot, with Di Giannantonio slotting into second from pole and Marc Marquez holding third. Martin was fourth, with one big mover off the line proving Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he went from P9 to P5.

Onto Lap 2, Marc Marquez took over in second, and not long after that, Acosta found a way past Martin. At the front though, Bezzecchi had the hammer down, with the gap starting to go out as the laps ticked on.

On Lap 6, a big move came in from Di Giannantonio – a big lunge, and with a big effect on more than just his own position. The #49 steamed up the inside of Marc Marquez and both went wide – with Martin needing no second invitation to pick their pockets. The Aprilia swept past both into second place, around 2 seconds off his teammate’s lead. Diggia ultimately remained where he was but with a different bike ahead, and Marc Marquez was shuffled down into fourth.

The fight in the group behind was getting close too. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was past Acosta into fifth, and by over half distance Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had joined the party too.

Up at the front, Bez was holding station and Martin cut some tenths off his lead before he seemed to settle into second. The fight for third was about to reignite though – a Sprint re-run.

With five to go, Marc Marquez sliced up the inside of Diggia at Turn 6 – brutal but clean – and the #93 was back into third. But he retained a yellow shadow and next lap around out of Turn 11, Marc Marquez was deep – and the #49 shot straight through the open door. The battle rolled on, but on take two, the number 93 had no reply.

Bezzecchi crossed the line to win a stunning fourth Grand Prix in a row and with that takes the Championship lead. It’s the first time he or Aprilia have won four in a row – and Aprilia also lead the constructors. Martin followed up his emotional Saturday rostrum with a Grand Prix podium in second on Sunday, making it a 1-2 for Aprilia in the race and the rider standings.

Di Giannantonio held onto his sweet revenge on Sunday, taking third for his first Grand Prix podium of the year, with Marc Marquez relegated to fourth. Ogura got past Alex Marquez and held him off, with Acosta forced to settle for seventh. With that he moves down to third in the championship. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) took eighth on his return, ahead of Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in tenth. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out, as did Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol).

Check out FULL RESULTS FROM BRAZIL HERE Another incredible weekend of rollercoaster action leaves the title fight with another twist – an Aprilia 1-2 leads us into Texas as we head north to for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the United States. Join us for more next weekend!

 

Moto2: World Championship Race Results From Brazil

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
Moto2: World Championship Race Results From Brazil

Daniel Holgado won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard won the 26-lap race by 1.226 second.

Daniel Muñoz was the runner-up on his Italtrans Racing Team Kalex.

Manuel Gonzalez was third on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

Alex Escrig finished fourth on his KLINT Racing Team Forward and Holgado’s teammate, David Alonso took fifth. 

American Joe Roberts finished Sunday’s race 18th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Daniel Holgado leads the championship with 33 points, 4.5 ahead of Manuel Gonzalez who has 28.5 points. Daniel Muñoz is third with 24 points.

 

Classification moto2

 

worldstanding moto2

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Holgado fends off Muñoz for Brazil victory honours. It was Aspar vs Italtrans for the win in Goiania as Gonzalez grabs late podium.

Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) secured a hard-earned victory at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil as a two-way battle for the win unfolded between the new title race leader and second place finisher Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team). Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) completed the rostrum after the Thai GP winner passed Alex Escrig (KLINT Factory Team) on the final lap to collect 16 points in Goiania.

Having earned a debut front row a few hours prior, Escrig grabbed the holeshot, with Muñoz also off to a flyer from P11 to P2 on Lap 1. Polesitter Holgado was third, while David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) dropped to P7 from second on the grid.

On Lap 2, Muñoz led with a nice move up the inside of Escrig at Turn 6, and then at the beginning of Lap 3, Holgado carved his way up to P2. And half a lap later, the #96 passed Muñoz to lead for the first time in Brazil.

At the end of Lap 6, the top five – Holgado, Muñoz, Escrig, Alonso and Gonzalez – were over a second clear of the chasing pack, and on Lap 10, Gonzalez repassed Alonso into P4 with the duo now 1.4s away from Escrig’s rear tyre. Work to do for the championship leader and Colombian.

Instead of going forward, Alonso dropped into the clutches of Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), and soon enough, the Thai GP podium finisher and Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) demoted the #80 to P7. And up front, the other Aspar bike was not dropping Muñoz and Escrig. The trio were split by 1.2s with 11 laps left, as Gonzalez struggled to reel the top three in – the #18 was 2.2s away from the podium scrap.

With five laps to go, it was Holgado vs Muñoz for Brazilian GP victory. 0.3s split the Spaniards, with Gonzalez reeling in Escrig for P3 too. And in the fight for the 25 points, Muñoz struck with two and a half laps to go. Now, what did Holgado have in response?

Well, it was a rapid response. Holgado powered back past down the 0.9km long start/finish straight, and then began to gap the #17. Heading onto the last lap, Holgado held a 0.7s lead, with Escrig and Gonzalez locked together in the bronze medal chase. And at Turn 4, Gonzalez moved up the inside of the slightly wide Escrig to pinch P3 on the final lap.

 

Daniel Holgado on the podium in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Holgado, after a Muñoz-style wake-up call, pulled the pin to clinch his first Moto2 win of the year, as Muñoz settled for a brilliant P2 ahead of Gonzalez, who did break Escrig’s heart in the closing stages – but a P4 for the latter is still a personal best Moto2 result.

Alonso held off the challenge of Guevara and Arbolino for P5 to get points on the board in 2026; that trio closed out the top seven, with Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team), and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI) the top 10 finishers.

Outside the top 20 on Friday, Q1 to pole, and then a third win of the campaign. A phenomenal weekend for the new Moto2 championship leader, as we look ahead to getting the ball rolling again in Austin next weekend.

Moto2 race results from Brazil!

Moto3: World Championship Race Results From Goiânia

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
Moto3: World Championship Race Results From Goiânia

Maximo Quiles won the FIM Moto3 World Championship red-flagged race Sunday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Using his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Gaviota Inde Aspar Team KTM, the Spaniard won the 14+5-lap race by just 0.143 second.

The Moto3 race was red-flagged after 14 laps following a multiple-rider crash. It was then restarted for a 5-lap sprint to decide the final result.

His teammate, Marco Morelli was the runner-up and achieved his first-ever Moto3 podium.

Veda Pratama finished third, 1.650 seconds behind Quiles on his Honda Team Asia machine, securing his first-ever podium and Indonesia’s first podium in Grand Prix racing.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe crossed the finish line fourth and Guido Pini, piloting his Leopard Racing Honda, got fifth. 

Maximo Quiles leads the championship with 45 points, 17 ahead of Marco Morelli who has 28 points. Veda Pratama is third with 27 points.

 

Classification moto3 race
 worldstanding moto3

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Quiles resists Morelli’s late charge for Goiania victory, Pratama stuns with P3. Winning and podium accounts were opened in a red-flagged Moto3 Grand Prix of Brazil. 

A sensational fightback from Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) saw the 18-year-old take victory in Goiania. He was kept honest by teammate Marco Morelli who had to settle for second and with it, achieved a first-ever Moto3 podium whilst there was big history made in P3: Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) took his first-ever podium and thus Indonesia’s first in any class of Grand Prix racing. Heading into the round as Championship leader, David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) crashed out from the lead on Lap 14.

Polesitter Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) grabbed the holeshot but by the halfway point on Lap 1, it was an Argentine 1-2 as Perrone and Morelli took over at the front. Moto3 is never dull and the usual paint-swapping and fairing-clashing moves continued, with Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) coming into the top three. Quiles had worked his way up to P2 and Championship leader Almansa moved into the top five from 14th on the grid.

At the start of Lap 4, it was Almansa who took over at the front from title rival Quiles, the top two in the Championship now the top two on-track. Lap 7 and a stunning weekend came to a shuddering halt for Esteban, who highsided at Turn 4 and out of the top three, having worked hard to get back on terms with Almansa and Quiles ahead of him. By half-race distance, the front two had broken away and were in a battle of their own for victory but the fight for third was warming up. Perrone had it over Morelli, whilst Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) reignited their rivalry from Buriram. Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), Danish and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) all featured, aiming to have their say.

On Lap 13 though, a huge moment in the Grand Prix as Almansa highsided out at Turn 4, thankfully able to walk away but crashing from the lead and leaving a certain podium in the gravel was not what he ordered. A lap later and a similar crash saw Scott Ogden’s (CIP GreenPower) Grand Prix come to an end and whilst he was OK, a red flag was shown bringing a pause in proceedings. A quick restart procedure and then a 5-lap dash, game on in Goiania!

On the restart, Quiles reasserted his authority and grabbed the holeshot as Carpe, Fernandez and Pini all battled hard behind. A crash at Turn 4 on the restart as Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) took out Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL-UP MTA), both riders OK. Right in the mix too and up into second as the others battled, Morelli showed his pace whilst in fifth, Salmela was also in contention.

Onto the last lap and Morelli had got the hammer down in a bid to catch his teammate and going into the last sector, was right with Quiles but despite his best efforts, there was nothing that was going to stop the #28 from taking victory in Goiania and the Championship lead. An Aspar 1-2 with Morelli second whilst there was a first podium in Grand Prix racing for Indonesia as Pratama bagged third, holding off Carpe and Pini. Salmela took a mighty sixth and with in Finland’s best result in the class since 2014 whilst Perrone, Fernandez, Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Danish rounded out the top ten.

Goiania done and dusted, straight to COTA for more twists and turns next weekend!

Full results from Moto3’s Grand Prix of Brazil at Goiania!

Moto2: Holgado Takes Pole Position in Brazil

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
Moto2: Holgado Takes Pole Position in Brazil

Daniel Holgado earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Sunday morning at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:20.711 to top the field of 28 riders.

His teammate, David Alonso was second-best with a 1:20.728.

Alex Escrig claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:20.754 on his KLINT Racing Team Forward.

Row-two qualifiers included Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP’s  Manuel Gonzalez (1:20.790), QJMotor Pont Group MSI’s Angel Piqueras (1:20.803) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer (1:20.946).

American Joe Roberts finished qualifying session 16th with a best time of 1:21.298 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

moto2 qp

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Holgado denies Alonso pole in Goiania. It’s an Aspar 1-2 for Moto2’s first Brazilian GP whilst a heroic lap puts Escrig P3. 

Extra track time proved key as Daniel Holgado (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team) graduated through Q1 to bank pole position for Moto2’s first-ever Grand Prix of Brazil. The Spaniard headed home an Aspar 1-2 with teammate David Alonso in second place whilst it was a first front row for Alex Escrig (Klint Racing Team).

In what was a tense and novel Sunday morning qualifying session, Holgado moved through from Q1 along with Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) and Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2). Straight on the pace from the start, Holgado was never outside of the top three and exchanged top spot with teammate Alonso, with the 2024 Moto3 World Champion aiming to be the first Colombian polesitter. That honour would have to wait though as Holgado beat him to P1 by 0.017s, whilst it was a stunning performance by Escrig, not only with his first front row but Forward’s too.

Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) gave it everything but three mistakes – Turn 5, Turn 10 and Turn 12 – on separate laps restricted him to fourth, ahead of top rookie and stand-out performer Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI) in fifth. Collin Veijer completes the second row with a solid sixth as he aims for a fourth top six finish in a row come the 26-lap Grand Prix.

Notable names elsewhere on the grid include top Boscosuro rider Celestino Vietti in eighth as well as Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) in 13th, with the Championship’s current P2 with work to do. At the back of the field, it’s been a tough week for Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) as he’s gone from pole at Buriram to last at Goiania.

Full Moto2 qualifying results from Goiania!

Moto3: Esteban Claims Pole Position in Brazil

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
Moto3: Esteban Claims Pole Position in Brazil

Joel Esteban earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Level Up MTA KTM on Pirelli control tires, Esteban topped the 25-rider field with a lap time of 1:26.241.

Valentin Perrone was the best of the rest with a 1:26.447 on his Red Bulll KTM Tech3 machine, and Hakim Danish claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:26.448 on his AEON Credit MT Helmets MSI KTM. 

Row-two qualifiers included Honda Team Asia’s Veda Pratama (1:26.506), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s Marco Morelli (1:26.560) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte (1:26.835).

 

QualifyingResults moto3

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Esteban flies to career-first pole in dramatic Moto3 qualifying. A hotly-contested battle for pole brought with it plenty of shocks and surprises as favourites are left scattered across the grid. 

A dramatic Moto3 qualifying session took us into the sunset but it didn’t disappoint; a career-first pole was bagged by Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) whilst he’s joined by Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), with the Malaysian taking a mighty career-first front row in Goiania.

After Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) and Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) graduated from Q1, it was time for the pole position shootout. However, it was red-flagged due to track conditions after a massive highside for Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) at Turn 4 and a smaller front-end fall for Danish at Turn 6. Both were OK and after a brief pause, action quickly resumed. Lap times dropped all the way into the 1’26s with the likes of CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team duo Marco Morelli and Maximo Quiles both enjoying time at the top of the standings, along with Perrone. Before long though, it was Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who found himself sitting pretty at the top as the final runs got underway.

However, there was drama for Quiles who fell at Turn 6 whilst in the closing moments, it was a fast fall for Uriarte at Turn 11 in what looked like a repeat of his teammate’s crash from the morning. Elsewhere though, it was Esteban who had timed it to perfection to take pole position, not just a first of his career but a first front row too. A fifth career front row went to Perrone in second, his first since he started from the same place at Motegi last year. It’s a first Malaysian front row since 2016 by Danish who seeks a first podium in Moto3. Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) took a career-best fourth on the grid, ahead of Morelli and Uriarte.

What about the top two in the Championship though? Quiles couldn’t recover from his crash despite getting back out and lines up 11th whereas yellow flags continuously scuppered David Almansa’s (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) pole hopes. 14th is all the Championship leader could manage, making for big comebacks from the #28 and #22.

So, with heavyweight names starting outside the top ten and fresh faces taking the limelight up front, a classic awaits in Moto3 – action commences at 12:00 local time (UTC – 3) and for sure, Goiania won’t disappoint!

Full results from Moto3 qualifying at Goiania!

MotoGP: Sprint Race Results From Goiânia

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoGP: Sprint Race Results From Goiânia

Marc Marquez won the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday afternoon at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26 on Michelin control tires, the defending World Champion won the 15-lap race by 0.213 second.

Poleman, Fabio Di Giannantonio was the runner-up on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Jorge Martin finished third on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 and his teammate, Marco Bezzecchi got fourth.

Ai Ogura crossed the finish line fifth on his Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.

Pedro Acosta leads the championship with 33 points, 2 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi who has 31 points. Jorge Martin is third with 25 points.

 

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worldstanding motogp

 

 

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Marc Marquez defeats Diggia, Martin on the podium in stunning first Sprint in Brazil. Elbows out, headlines made – it was worth the wait as MotoGP went racing for the first time in Goiania.

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) vs Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) went to the wire in the Tissot Sprint in Brazil, with the duo split by just two tenths over the line after a cat-and-mouse showdown and a tense final lap. Completing the Sprint podium it was an emotional afternoon for Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) as the 2024 World Champion got back on the box for the first time since Sepang in 2024, impressing once again as he comes out swinging on his return to full fitness.

Diggia took the holeshot after a solid start from pole, and it was a stunning start from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) as the Frenchman moved up into third and then quickly attacked Marc Marquez for second. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) lost out down to fourth, and further back there was drama for the returning Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) off the line as his machine slid before launching and those behind streamed past. But it was a clean start as the freight train settled in for battle.

 

Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Marc Marquez (93) during MotoGP Sprint Race in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Up ahead though, Diggia in the lead had just over half a second in hand as they started Lap 3, with Marc Marquez then attacking Quartararo back before Turn 1 to reclaim second. The Frenchman was then slightly wide, allowing Bezzecchi to pick his pocket, before Martin did the same next time down the straight as Lap 4 began.

Meanwhile at the front, Diggia was 1.2 seconds clear. Marc Marquez was second, Bezzecchi third and Martin fourth, but the #72 was then deep through Turns 10 and 11 – allowing his #89-livered teammate through into third.

 

Jorge Martin finished the MotoGP Sprint race P3. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Meanwhile, Quartararo was stealing more of the limelight just behind – holding off Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) brutally but cleanly. The #20 was digging in, and so was Marc Marquez as he started to reel in Di Giannantonio in the lead.

By Lap 10 of 15, Ogura was past Quartararo and Marc Marquez was half a second off the lead. Action was hotting up slightly further back too as Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) attacked Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) for P8. He got past, Pecco returned the favour, and then the #63 started homing in on Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in seventh.

By three to go though, Marc Marquez was in striking distance at the front – so he did. Alongside out of Turn 12 and then past, the #93 took the lead, but he retained very close company from the rider in yellow. It then looked like Marc Marquez had built a few tenths up to try and protect the gap but onto the last lap, the #49 was closing and closing.

 

Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Sprint race podium after finishing P2. Photo courtesy of MotoGP.

 

Diggia looked for a way through at Turn 6 and found none, instead forced to stay glued to the back of the red machine ahead. But Marc Marquez kept it pitch perfect – right until the final corner where he suffered a twitch – and nothing was enough to stop him claiming that first Sprint win of the season. The #93 takes the gold on Saturday for his 16th Sprint win – putting him equal with Martin as the riders who have the most Sprint victories since the format was introduced.

Speaking of Martin, the #89 made a stunning return to the podium. Slipping past teammate Bezzecchi after the #72 headed slightly wide, Martin then knuckled down and kept it clean to the flag – getting back on the rostrum for the first time since his 2024 Malaysian Grand Prix Sprint win. It was an emotional cool down lap after a rollercoaster since his Championship win. It’s also his first podium with Aprilia Racing.

Bezzechi took fourth and maintains second in the standings, now two points adrift of Acosta after the #37 came home ninth in the Sprint in Brazil. Ogura took fifth place for another impressive show of form from the sophomore, with an even more titanic performance just on his tail: Quartararo. The Frenchman grabbed his qualifying springboard as a huge opportunity and held onto sixth place to underline his elbows-out start to the Sprint.

Alex Marquez took P7 just ahead of Bagnaia, with Acosta taking that final point. Just outside the points but inside the top ten, Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) takes tenth after a stunning home performance from the rookie. For full results from the Sprint in Brazil click HERE.

After that first encounter, we can’t wait for more – so get ready for more MotoGP on Sunday as action returns in Goiania!

 

MotoGP: Sinkhole Repairs Delay Brazilian GP

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoGP: Sinkhole Repairs Delay Brazilian GP

Moto2 and Moto3 qualifying sessions have been postponed due to track surface issues caused by heavy rain in Goiânia.

 

MotoGP: Di Giannantonio On pole Position In Brazil

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoGP: Di Giannantonio On pole Position In Brazil

Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26 on the dry 2.38-mile (3.84 km) track, the Italian turned a 1:17.410. Not only was that good enough to top the 22-rider field, it was also his first pole since 2022.

Marco Bezzecchi was the best of the rest with a 1:17.480 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26, and Marc Marquez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:17.491 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Row-two qualifiers included Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:17.561), Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin (1:17.630) and Trackhouse Aprilia’s Ai Ogura (1:17.702).

 

QP MOTOGP

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Di Giannantonio heads Bezzecchi after dramatic first qualifying in Brazil. The Q1 graduates steal the show, Marc Marquez takes third and Quartararo makes some magic to head Row 2.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) came out on top in a dramatic Q2 in Brazil, moving through from Q1 to head the grid despite a crash on a lap that would have put him even quicker. His 1:17.410 sees him secure pole ahead of fellow Q1 graduate Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) forced to settle for third after a crash on his first run. He was far from the only one.

A word up top for the rider in fourth too – with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) putting in a stunner to qualify fourth and head Row 2 in the new V4-powered YZR-M1’s second full-time Grand Prix.

 

 

Marco Bezzecchi in the parc fermé in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Q1: Bezzecchi on a mission, Diggia on the chase


There was early drama for Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) as he crashed out in the first minutes – rider perfectly ok – following a crash in FP2 for the Italian too, clearly searching for the limit at a new venue. Bezzecchi was another who crashed in FP2 – compounding the pressure of being in Q1 – but the Italian was top of the timesheets from early doors.

He suffered a runoff later in Q1 but rejoined, and his place at the top of the session remained unthreatened – in fact, his Q1 lap remains the fastest of the day. Di Giannantonio joined him in the pole shootout in Q2, finding some impressive speed on Saturday and about to find even more.

 

From left to right with Marco Bezzecchi, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Q2: Drama and magic in equal measure


Drama hit early again in Q2. First for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the Italian slid out at Turn 9, rider ok, and then for Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) soon after. Acosta was electric on his feet sprinting for the service road, luckily finding KTM stablemate Mika Kallio ready and waiting on a scooter to taxi him back to the paddock.

Next, about 30 seconds later Marc Marquez was on the floor – in exactly the same place. The race back to the box was on, as Diggia led the way on the timing screens from Marc Marquez by 0.071, Acosta hovered in P7 and Bagnaia remained the only rider with no time set after binning it before putting one in.

The #63 was first back out though and soon rectified that to at least slot into P9. Bezzechi then threatened the front row and took over in second, 0.060 off Diggia, with Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) slotting into fourth after a few red sectors and then seeing the lap fade slightly.

Meanwhile, Diggia improved at the top by 0.010, and then more drama – this time fo Martin. Red sectors this time saw the #89 crash out with no time to get back into the session, although rider perfectly ok.

The next red sector stunner to end in the gravel came from Diggia as an advantage of over a tenth – on his own time – went beginning as he slid out. The yellow flags got in the way for a few riders as the clock ticked down too, leaving only a few laps left to come in.

One of those coming in was from Quartararo. The #20 was up in the first sector, up in the second, and only 0.040 off in the third. Crossing the line it wasn’t quite pole, but it was just 0.151 off it as he slotted into fourth with a near-supernatural performance on Saturday morning.

Pole position, after his awesome charge up from Q1, stayed with Diggia. The #49 heads Bezzecchi by 0.070 with Marc Marquez – who couldn’t make up time as he headed back out – just 0.011 behind him to complete the front row for MotoGP’s return to Brazil. The Q1 graduates head the grid and Bezzecchi’s Q1 laptime is actually the fastest lap of qualifying – but Diggia’s pole is only 0.002 off it.  

 

THE GRID

Behind Diggia, Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez, Quartararo heads that second row, only 0.070 off the #93 ahead of him and 0.069 ahead of Martin, who didn’t lose out on any more positions after his crash barring Quartararo’s leapfrog. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) takes P6 to complete that second row.

Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) returns from injury with a P7 qualifying position, just ahead of Alex Marquez in eighth. Acosta will be ruing his crash as he lines up on the third row in P9, looking to make big progress from lights out to defend that championship lead.

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) takes P10, with Bagnaia unable to make much headway up from a 1:18.122 – putting him P11 on the grid. Toprak Razgatlioglu will line up P12 after moving directly through thanks to his stunning exploits with Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP on Friday, and the Turkish rookie is only 0.300 off Bagnaia ahead of him.

The stage is set for a stunning first Tissot Sprint in Brazil, with Acosta looking to move up, Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez right alongside each other… and Diggia on pole looking to prove his own point. Find full qualifying results HERE and tune in from 15:00 local time (UTC -3)!

MotoGP: Ogura Is Best In Saturday Practice At Goiânia

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
MotoGP: Ogura Is Best In Saturday Practice At Goiânia

Ai Ogura led MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Aprilia Trackhouse RS-GP26 on spec Michelin tires, Ogura turned a lap time of 1:18.237 to lead the 22-rider field.

Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:18.248 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Jorge Martin was third at 1:18.405 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26.

Marquez’s teammate, Francesco Bagnaia finished the session fourth with a 1:18.518.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pedro Acosta got fifth with a lap time of 1:18.616. 

 

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Supercross: Results From Birmingham, Alabama

A huge crowd welcomed the Monster Energy Supercross Championship to Birmingham's Protective Stadium for Round 10 of the 2026 season. Photo courtesy SMX

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After the lone off weekend of the season, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship made its anticipated return to action for Round 10 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship from Protective Stadium. It proved to be a statement night for 450SMX Class points leader Hunter Lawrence, who enjoyed arguably the single-best performance of his career with Honda HRC Progressive in a dominant ride that netted the Australian back-to-back victories and three wins over the past four races.

 

 

 

Hunter Lawrence Dominant in Birmingham as Back-to-Back  Wins Extend Championship Lead Inside Protective Stadium

 

The 20 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event for the 450SMX Class got underway with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine of Jorge Prado out front for the holeshot ahead of Lawrence. The Honda rider went on the attack immediately and seized control of the race while Prado settled in ahead of his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Eli Tomac. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the reigning champion, and Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen gave chase.

 
With a clear track, Lawrence was able to build a multi-second lead in the opening laps as Tomac engaged in an extended battle with Prado, which allowed Roczen, who came out the gate in 16th, to join the fight from fourth. Tomac made the move on his teammate for second and brought Roczen along into third. It wasn’t long before Roczen then went after Tomac and made quick work to take control of second. From there, the lead trio remained unchanged as Lawrence managed a lead of about four seconds over Roczen, while Tomac dropped well back and lost touch with his rivals. While Roczen did make inroads on Lawrence at times, heavy lapped traffic hindered any significant gains of momentum.

 
Lawrence took his third career win by a margin of 2.3 seconds over Roczen. Tomac followed more than 30 seconds back in third but made the most of a challenging evening that saw him navigate his first LCQ since the 2019 season after an incident with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in their Heat Race.

 
Lawrence extended his lead in the 450SMX Class standings over Tomac to nine points, while Roczen’s sixth podium finish of the season allowed him to take hold of third, 31 points behind Lawrence.

 

Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence captured his third win in the last four races with arguably the best performance of his career. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Hunter Lawrence – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:

“It feels good [to win for the third time in four races]. I’m just taking it one race at a time. It’s easy to think about the end result, which is the title, but I’m just trying to stay focused in the moment. Anything can happen, as we’ve seen tonight, so I’m just happy to be up here.”

 

Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen gained 14 positions en route to an impressive runner-up finish. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Ken Roczen – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:

“I’m ecstatic, honestly. I think I rode really well, but you can’t start 15th and expect to win a race. Inconsistency on the start [is something] I’m not happy with. I rode so good tonight. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but with racing like that I’m totally fine with it.”

 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac overcame a trip to the LCQ to finish on the podium in third. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Eli Tomac – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:

“I just wasn’t as good tonight as the front two. That’s it. Of course, the LCQ was very stressful and a high-pressure moment, but I got myself out there to a good start [in the Main Event] on the outside gate and just got beat tonight. Just a little bit off. It’s tough, one of those nights, but we’ll try to regroup next week and see if we can get back up front.”

 

450SMX Class Podium (left to right): Ken Roczen, Hunter Lawrence, and Eli Tomac. Photo courtesy SMX

 

 

 

 

Haiden Deegan Finishes First in 250SMX Class East/West Showdown, Penalized One Position for Cutting Track

 

The 250SMX Class came into Birmingham with heightened tension as the first East/West Showdown of the 2026 season brought together the best of both the Western and Eastern Divisional Championships. The 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event began with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen alongside Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies, the Eastern Divisional points leader. Kitchen edged out the young New Zealander for the holeshot and the pair then defined the first half of the race by trading for the lead three times before Davies appeared to assert his control of the Main Event with just over seven minutes remaining.

 
The battle behind the lead duo was exceptional as well between Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, the Western Divisional points leader and reigning champion who started well back of his rivals in 10th place. Shimoda compiled an impressive march to the front that saw him pass Kitchen for second and challenge Davies for the lead late in the race. Deegan, meanwhile, mounted a charge of his own that carried him by both Hammaker and Kitchen into third to establish a three-rider fight for the win. Shimoda came up short on several attempts to pass Davies for the lead in the waning minutes, which played into Deegan’s hands. The Yamaha rider made the move on Shimoda for second and moments later surged past his teammate to grab the lead with about a minute left on the race clock.

 
Deegan sprinted away in the closing laps to take an impressive come-from-behind victory. Davies battled back from a last lap pass by Shimoda to finish second, 3.6 seconds behind Deegan, while Hammaker took advantage of a miscue by Shimoda with two turns remaining to steal third. Kitchen rounded out the top five.

 
Following the conclusion of the race, AMA officials reviewed a moment during the Main Event that saw Deegan make an illegal lane shift through a split-lane section of the racetrack that required riders to commit to a single lane. As a result, Deegan was penalized one position for cutting the track, which ultimately gave the win to Davies.

With the penalty and subsequent win, Davies now leads the Eastern Divisional Championship by six points over Hammaker, with Shimoda nine points behind in third. In the Western Divisional Championship, Deegan’s healthy lead in the standings sits at 42 points over his teammate Max Anstie, who finished seventh, with Kitchen 47 points out of the lead in third.

 

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) was awarded the East/West Showdown victory after a penalty was assessed to teammate Haiden Deegan. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Cole Davies – 1st Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown*:

“Looking at the positives, I [gained] points tonight, but I’m not exactly happy with that. I rode terrible, to be honest. I was just overriding. We still made [gains] in points so I’m happy with that, but I’m not happy with my riding. It is what it is and we’re on to the next round.”

*Quote recorded prior to enforcement of penalty.

 

Even though he took the checkered flag, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan was relegated to second after a penalty for cutting the track. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Haiden Deegan – 2nd Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown*:
“I heard a lot of things coming in here making it seem like the battle for the win would be close. I came out here to whoop everyone’s butt for these Alabama fans. That was a good time [coming from 10th to first]. I sent it for sure.”
 
*Quote recorded prior to enforcement of penalty.
 
 
 
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker’s patience and consistency paid off with a third-place finish. Photo courtesy SMX

 

Seth Hammaker – 3rd Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown:

“I’m a little disappointed [with my result]. You always want to come out and win at the showdowns, but I didn’t have it tonight. Those other guys were riding good. Early on and midway through the race I didn’t really have the pace. I felt better at the end but that’s not when you need it. It’s good to know I have the endurance, but I need to be better at the beginning. Other than that, solid night.”

 

 

250SMX Class East/West Showdown Podium (left to right): Cole Davies, Haiden Deegan, and Seth Hammaker. Photo courtesy SMX.

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth and final qualifying race of SMX Next – Supercross served as an exciting addition to the action in Birmingham, as 22 of the most elite A and B class prospects in amateur motocross gathered one more time before the AMA National Championship on April 25th in Philadelphia. Three different racers had claimed victory at the first three events, which set the stage for a wide-open battle for the win inside Protective Stadium. A multi-rider incident in the first turn of the Main Event eliminated two top contenders off the start as the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing duo of Kayden Minear, the Anaheim winner, and Landen Gordon, the fastest qualifier, came together and dropped out of contention. Out front, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Vincent Wey took full advantage of a stellar start to turn a holeshot into a wire-to-wire performance in which he never faced a serious challenge. Wey, the son of former SMX racer Nick Wey, was consistent and continuously added to his race lead throughout the 8 Minutes + 1 Lap Main Event to capture his first SMX Next victory and continue the exceptional parity that has defined the development division all season. Fellow Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green racer Kade Johnson finished second for a 1-2 sweep, while ClubMX Yamaha’s Ryder Malinoski finished third.

 

Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Vincent Wey became the fourth different SMX Next winner of the season with his first victory in the development division. Photo courtesy SMX.

 

Vincent Wey – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross:

“That was the sickest race of my life. I got a great start and hit my marks every single lap. That was so much fun. Me and my dad have had a lot of long days, just logging laps. We came here last year, and I think I crashed every single time I went on the track. I came in here with the mindset to do better than last year and I think I did that.”

 

 

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 28, with Round 11 from Detroit’s Ford Field. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Peacock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com). 

All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.

 

 

 

For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Goiânia

MotoGP Sprint race start in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

Marco Bezzecchi won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 23-lap race by 3.231 seconds.

His teammate, Jorge Martin was the runner-up.

Poleman, Fabio Di Giannantonio placed third on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Marc Marquez got fourth on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Ai Ogura crossed the finish line fifth on his Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.

Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship with 56 points, 11 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 45 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 42 points.

 

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More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Bezzecchi storms to victory ahead of Martin, Diggia defeats Marc Marquez on take two. Aprilia make history and take a 1-2 in Brazil as the #49 gets some Sunday revenge on the reigning Champion.

History = made! MotoGP is back in Brazil and Marco Bezzecchi is back on top as the Aprilia Racing rider took a stunning fourth Grand Prix win in a row in Brazil, and for the first time in Aprilia’s history. To add to the headlines for the Noale factory, teammate Jorge Martin takes second place to back up his awesome return to the rostrum on Saturday. Completing the podium, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) defeated Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) on their rematch after the Sprint showdown, the #49 turning the tables in style.

After a poorer start on Saturday, Bezzecchi nailed it on Sunday to take the holeshot, with Di Giannantonio slotting into second from pole and Marc Marquez holding third. Martin was fourth, with one big mover off the line proving Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he went from P9 to P5.

Onto Lap 2, Marc Marquez took over in second, and not long after that, Acosta found a way past Martin. At the front though, Bezzecchi had the hammer down, with the gap starting to go out as the laps ticked on.

On Lap 6, a big move came in from Di Giannantonio – a big lunge, and with a big effect on more than just his own position. The #49 steamed up the inside of Marc Marquez and both went wide – with Martin needing no second invitation to pick their pockets. The Aprilia swept past both into second place, around 2 seconds off his teammate’s lead. Diggia ultimately remained where he was but with a different bike ahead, and Marc Marquez was shuffled down into fourth.

The fight in the group behind was getting close too. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was past Acosta into fifth, and by over half distance Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had joined the party too.

Up at the front, Bez was holding station and Martin cut some tenths off his lead before he seemed to settle into second. The fight for third was about to reignite though – a Sprint re-run.

With five to go, Marc Marquez sliced up the inside of Diggia at Turn 6 – brutal but clean – and the #93 was back into third. But he retained a yellow shadow and next lap around out of Turn 11, Marc Marquez was deep – and the #49 shot straight through the open door. The battle rolled on, but on take two, the number 93 had no reply.

Bezzecchi crossed the line to win a stunning fourth Grand Prix in a row and with that takes the Championship lead. It’s the first time he or Aprilia have won four in a row – and Aprilia also lead the constructors. Martin followed up his emotional Saturday rostrum with a Grand Prix podium in second on Sunday, making it a 1-2 for Aprilia in the race and the rider standings.

Di Giannantonio held onto his sweet revenge on Sunday, taking third for his first Grand Prix podium of the year, with Marc Marquez relegated to fourth. Ogura got past Alex Marquez and held him off, with Acosta forced to settle for seventh. With that he moves down to third in the championship. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) took eighth on his return, ahead of Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in tenth. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out, as did Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol).

Check out FULL RESULTS FROM BRAZIL HERE Another incredible weekend of rollercoaster action leaves the title fight with another twist – an Aprilia 1-2 leads us into Texas as we head north to for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the United States. Join us for more next weekend!

 

Moto2: World Championship Race Results From Brazil

Moto2 riders in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

Daniel Holgado won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard won the 26-lap race by 1.226 second.

Daniel Muñoz was the runner-up on his Italtrans Racing Team Kalex.

Manuel Gonzalez was third on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

Alex Escrig finished fourth on his KLINT Racing Team Forward and Holgado’s teammate, David Alonso took fifth. 

American Joe Roberts finished Sunday’s race 18th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Daniel Holgado leads the championship with 33 points, 4.5 ahead of Manuel Gonzalez who has 28.5 points. Daniel Muñoz is third with 24 points.

 

Classification moto2

 

worldstanding moto2

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Holgado fends off Muñoz for Brazil victory honours. It was Aspar vs Italtrans for the win in Goiania as Gonzalez grabs late podium.

Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) secured a hard-earned victory at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil as a two-way battle for the win unfolded between the new title race leader and second place finisher Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team). Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) completed the rostrum after the Thai GP winner passed Alex Escrig (KLINT Factory Team) on the final lap to collect 16 points in Goiania.

Having earned a debut front row a few hours prior, Escrig grabbed the holeshot, with Muñoz also off to a flyer from P11 to P2 on Lap 1. Polesitter Holgado was third, while David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) dropped to P7 from second on the grid.

On Lap 2, Muñoz led with a nice move up the inside of Escrig at Turn 6, and then at the beginning of Lap 3, Holgado carved his way up to P2. And half a lap later, the #96 passed Muñoz to lead for the first time in Brazil.

At the end of Lap 6, the top five – Holgado, Muñoz, Escrig, Alonso and Gonzalez – were over a second clear of the chasing pack, and on Lap 10, Gonzalez repassed Alonso into P4 with the duo now 1.4s away from Escrig’s rear tyre. Work to do for the championship leader and Colombian.

Instead of going forward, Alonso dropped into the clutches of Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), and soon enough, the Thai GP podium finisher and Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) demoted the #80 to P7. And up front, the other Aspar bike was not dropping Muñoz and Escrig. The trio were split by 1.2s with 11 laps left, as Gonzalez struggled to reel the top three in – the #18 was 2.2s away from the podium scrap.

With five laps to go, it was Holgado vs Muñoz for Brazilian GP victory. 0.3s split the Spaniards, with Gonzalez reeling in Escrig for P3 too. And in the fight for the 25 points, Muñoz struck with two and a half laps to go. Now, what did Holgado have in response?

Well, it was a rapid response. Holgado powered back past down the 0.9km long start/finish straight, and then began to gap the #17. Heading onto the last lap, Holgado held a 0.7s lead, with Escrig and Gonzalez locked together in the bronze medal chase. And at Turn 4, Gonzalez moved up the inside of the slightly wide Escrig to pinch P3 on the final lap.

 

Daniel Holgado on the podium in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Holgado, after a Muñoz-style wake-up call, pulled the pin to clinch his first Moto2 win of the year, as Muñoz settled for a brilliant P2 ahead of Gonzalez, who did break Escrig’s heart in the closing stages – but a P4 for the latter is still a personal best Moto2 result.

Alonso held off the challenge of Guevara and Arbolino for P5 to get points on the board in 2026; that trio closed out the top seven, with Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team), and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI) the top 10 finishers.

Outside the top 20 on Friday, Q1 to pole, and then a third win of the campaign. A phenomenal weekend for the new Moto2 championship leader, as we look ahead to getting the ball rolling again in Austin next weekend.

Moto2 race results from Brazil!

Moto3: World Championship Race Results From Goiânia

Nicola Carraro (10) and Veda Pratama (9) during practice session in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

Maximo Quiles won the FIM Moto3 World Championship red-flagged race Sunday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Using his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Gaviota Inde Aspar Team KTM, the Spaniard won the 14+5-lap race by just 0.143 second.

The Moto3 race was red-flagged after 14 laps following a multiple-rider crash. It was then restarted for a 5-lap sprint to decide the final result.

His teammate, Marco Morelli was the runner-up and achieved his first-ever Moto3 podium.

Veda Pratama finished third, 1.650 seconds behind Quiles on his Honda Team Asia machine, securing his first-ever podium and Indonesia’s first podium in Grand Prix racing.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe crossed the finish line fourth and Guido Pini, piloting his Leopard Racing Honda, got fifth. 

Maximo Quiles leads the championship with 45 points, 17 ahead of Marco Morelli who has 28 points. Veda Pratama is third with 27 points.

 

Classification moto3 race
 worldstanding moto3

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Quiles resists Morelli’s late charge for Goiania victory, Pratama stuns with P3. Winning and podium accounts were opened in a red-flagged Moto3 Grand Prix of Brazil. 

A sensational fightback from Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) saw the 18-year-old take victory in Goiania. He was kept honest by teammate Marco Morelli who had to settle for second and with it, achieved a first-ever Moto3 podium whilst there was big history made in P3: Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) took his first-ever podium and thus Indonesia’s first in any class of Grand Prix racing. Heading into the round as Championship leader, David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) crashed out from the lead on Lap 14.

Polesitter Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) grabbed the holeshot but by the halfway point on Lap 1, it was an Argentine 1-2 as Perrone and Morelli took over at the front. Moto3 is never dull and the usual paint-swapping and fairing-clashing moves continued, with Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) coming into the top three. Quiles had worked his way up to P2 and Championship leader Almansa moved into the top five from 14th on the grid.

At the start of Lap 4, it was Almansa who took over at the front from title rival Quiles, the top two in the Championship now the top two on-track. Lap 7 and a stunning weekend came to a shuddering halt for Esteban, who highsided at Turn 4 and out of the top three, having worked hard to get back on terms with Almansa and Quiles ahead of him. By half-race distance, the front two had broken away and were in a battle of their own for victory but the fight for third was warming up. Perrone had it over Morelli, whilst Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) reignited their rivalry from Buriram. Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), Danish and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) all featured, aiming to have their say.

On Lap 13 though, a huge moment in the Grand Prix as Almansa highsided out at Turn 4, thankfully able to walk away but crashing from the lead and leaving a certain podium in the gravel was not what he ordered. A lap later and a similar crash saw Scott Ogden’s (CIP GreenPower) Grand Prix come to an end and whilst he was OK, a red flag was shown bringing a pause in proceedings. A quick restart procedure and then a 5-lap dash, game on in Goiania!

On the restart, Quiles reasserted his authority and grabbed the holeshot as Carpe, Fernandez and Pini all battled hard behind. A crash at Turn 4 on the restart as Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) took out Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL-UP MTA), both riders OK. Right in the mix too and up into second as the others battled, Morelli showed his pace whilst in fifth, Salmela was also in contention.

Onto the last lap and Morelli had got the hammer down in a bid to catch his teammate and going into the last sector, was right with Quiles but despite his best efforts, there was nothing that was going to stop the #28 from taking victory in Goiania and the Championship lead. An Aspar 1-2 with Morelli second whilst there was a first podium in Grand Prix racing for Indonesia as Pratama bagged third, holding off Carpe and Pini. Salmela took a mighty sixth and with in Finland’s best result in the class since 2014 whilst Perrone, Fernandez, Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Danish rounded out the top ten.

Goiania done and dusted, straight to COTA for more twists and turns next weekend!

Full results from Moto3’s Grand Prix of Brazil at Goiania!

Moto2: Holgado Takes Pole Position in Brazil

Daniel Holgado (left) and David Alonso (right) in the parc fermé after the Moto2 qualifying session. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

Daniel Holgado earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Sunday morning at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:20.711 to top the field of 28 riders.

His teammate, David Alonso was second-best with a 1:20.728.

Alex Escrig claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:20.754 on his KLINT Racing Team Forward.

Row-two qualifiers included Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP’s  Manuel Gonzalez (1:20.790), QJMotor Pont Group MSI’s Angel Piqueras (1:20.803) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer (1:20.946).

American Joe Roberts finished qualifying session 16th with a best time of 1:21.298 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

moto2 qp

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Holgado denies Alonso pole in Goiania. It’s an Aspar 1-2 for Moto2’s first Brazilian GP whilst a heroic lap puts Escrig P3. 

Extra track time proved key as Daniel Holgado (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team) graduated through Q1 to bank pole position for Moto2’s first-ever Grand Prix of Brazil. The Spaniard headed home an Aspar 1-2 with teammate David Alonso in second place whilst it was a first front row for Alex Escrig (Klint Racing Team).

In what was a tense and novel Sunday morning qualifying session, Holgado moved through from Q1 along with Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) and Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2). Straight on the pace from the start, Holgado was never outside of the top three and exchanged top spot with teammate Alonso, with the 2024 Moto3 World Champion aiming to be the first Colombian polesitter. That honour would have to wait though as Holgado beat him to P1 by 0.017s, whilst it was a stunning performance by Escrig, not only with his first front row but Forward’s too.

Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) gave it everything but three mistakes – Turn 5, Turn 10 and Turn 12 – on separate laps restricted him to fourth, ahead of top rookie and stand-out performer Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI) in fifth. Collin Veijer completes the second row with a solid sixth as he aims for a fourth top six finish in a row come the 26-lap Grand Prix.

Notable names elsewhere on the grid include top Boscosuro rider Celestino Vietti in eighth as well as Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) in 13th, with the Championship’s current P2 with work to do. At the back of the field, it’s been a tough week for Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) as he’s gone from pole at Buriram to last at Goiania.

Full Moto2 qualifying results from Goiania!

Moto3: Esteban Claims Pole Position in Brazil

Joel Esteban (78) in Brazil. Photo courtesy Level Up MTA Team.

Joel Esteban earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Level Up MTA KTM on Pirelli control tires, Esteban topped the 25-rider field with a lap time of 1:26.241.

Valentin Perrone was the best of the rest with a 1:26.447 on his Red Bulll KTM Tech3 machine, and Hakim Danish claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:26.448 on his AEON Credit MT Helmets MSI KTM. 

Row-two qualifiers included Honda Team Asia’s Veda Pratama (1:26.506), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s Marco Morelli (1:26.560) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte (1:26.835).

 

QualifyingResults moto3

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Esteban flies to career-first pole in dramatic Moto3 qualifying. A hotly-contested battle for pole brought with it plenty of shocks and surprises as favourites are left scattered across the grid. 

A dramatic Moto3 qualifying session took us into the sunset but it didn’t disappoint; a career-first pole was bagged by Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) whilst he’s joined by Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), with the Malaysian taking a mighty career-first front row in Goiania.

After Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) and Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) graduated from Q1, it was time for the pole position shootout. However, it was red-flagged due to track conditions after a massive highside for Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) at Turn 4 and a smaller front-end fall for Danish at Turn 6. Both were OK and after a brief pause, action quickly resumed. Lap times dropped all the way into the 1’26s with the likes of CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team duo Marco Morelli and Maximo Quiles both enjoying time at the top of the standings, along with Perrone. Before long though, it was Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who found himself sitting pretty at the top as the final runs got underway.

However, there was drama for Quiles who fell at Turn 6 whilst in the closing moments, it was a fast fall for Uriarte at Turn 11 in what looked like a repeat of his teammate’s crash from the morning. Elsewhere though, it was Esteban who had timed it to perfection to take pole position, not just a first of his career but a first front row too. A fifth career front row went to Perrone in second, his first since he started from the same place at Motegi last year. It’s a first Malaysian front row since 2016 by Danish who seeks a first podium in Moto3. Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) took a career-best fourth on the grid, ahead of Morelli and Uriarte.

What about the top two in the Championship though? Quiles couldn’t recover from his crash despite getting back out and lines up 11th whereas yellow flags continuously scuppered David Almansa’s (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) pole hopes. 14th is all the Championship leader could manage, making for big comebacks from the #28 and #22.

So, with heavyweight names starting outside the top ten and fresh faces taking the limelight up front, a classic awaits in Moto3 – action commences at 12:00 local time (UTC – 3) and for sure, Goiania won’t disappoint!

Full results from Moto3 qualifying at Goiania!

MotoGP: Sprint Race Results From Goiânia

MotoGP riders in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP

Marc Marquez won the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday afternoon at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26 on Michelin control tires, the defending World Champion won the 15-lap race by 0.213 second.

Poleman, Fabio Di Giannantonio was the runner-up on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Jorge Martin finished third on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 and his teammate, Marco Bezzecchi got fourth.

Ai Ogura crossed the finish line fifth on his Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.

Pedro Acosta leads the championship with 33 points, 2 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi who has 31 points. Jorge Martin is third with 25 points.

 

sprint motogp

 

worldstanding motogp

 

 

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Marc Marquez defeats Diggia, Martin on the podium in stunning first Sprint in Brazil. Elbows out, headlines made – it was worth the wait as MotoGP went racing for the first time in Goiania.

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) vs Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) went to the wire in the Tissot Sprint in Brazil, with the duo split by just two tenths over the line after a cat-and-mouse showdown and a tense final lap. Completing the Sprint podium it was an emotional afternoon for Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) as the 2024 World Champion got back on the box for the first time since Sepang in 2024, impressing once again as he comes out swinging on his return to full fitness.

Diggia took the holeshot after a solid start from pole, and it was a stunning start from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) as the Frenchman moved up into third and then quickly attacked Marc Marquez for second. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) lost out down to fourth, and further back there was drama for the returning Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) off the line as his machine slid before launching and those behind streamed past. But it was a clean start as the freight train settled in for battle.

 

Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Marc Marquez (93) during MotoGP Sprint Race in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Up ahead though, Diggia in the lead had just over half a second in hand as they started Lap 3, with Marc Marquez then attacking Quartararo back before Turn 1 to reclaim second. The Frenchman was then slightly wide, allowing Bezzecchi to pick his pocket, before Martin did the same next time down the straight as Lap 4 began.

Meanwhile at the front, Diggia was 1.2 seconds clear. Marc Marquez was second, Bezzecchi third and Martin fourth, but the #72 was then deep through Turns 10 and 11 – allowing his #89-livered teammate through into third.

 

Jorge Martin finished the MotoGP Sprint race P3. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Meanwhile, Quartararo was stealing more of the limelight just behind – holding off Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) brutally but cleanly. The #20 was digging in, and so was Marc Marquez as he started to reel in Di Giannantonio in the lead.

By Lap 10 of 15, Ogura was past Quartararo and Marc Marquez was half a second off the lead. Action was hotting up slightly further back too as Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) attacked Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) for P8. He got past, Pecco returned the favour, and then the #63 started homing in on Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in seventh.

By three to go though, Marc Marquez was in striking distance at the front – so he did. Alongside out of Turn 12 and then past, the #93 took the lead, but he retained very close company from the rider in yellow. It then looked like Marc Marquez had built a few tenths up to try and protect the gap but onto the last lap, the #49 was closing and closing.

 

Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Sprint race podium after finishing P2. Photo courtesy of MotoGP.

 

Diggia looked for a way through at Turn 6 and found none, instead forced to stay glued to the back of the red machine ahead. But Marc Marquez kept it pitch perfect – right until the final corner where he suffered a twitch – and nothing was enough to stop him claiming that first Sprint win of the season. The #93 takes the gold on Saturday for his 16th Sprint win – putting him equal with Martin as the riders who have the most Sprint victories since the format was introduced.

Speaking of Martin, the #89 made a stunning return to the podium. Slipping past teammate Bezzecchi after the #72 headed slightly wide, Martin then knuckled down and kept it clean to the flag – getting back on the rostrum for the first time since his 2024 Malaysian Grand Prix Sprint win. It was an emotional cool down lap after a rollercoaster since his Championship win. It’s also his first podium with Aprilia Racing.

Bezzechi took fourth and maintains second in the standings, now two points adrift of Acosta after the #37 came home ninth in the Sprint in Brazil. Ogura took fifth place for another impressive show of form from the sophomore, with an even more titanic performance just on his tail: Quartararo. The Frenchman grabbed his qualifying springboard as a huge opportunity and held onto sixth place to underline his elbows-out start to the Sprint.

Alex Marquez took P7 just ahead of Bagnaia, with Acosta taking that final point. Just outside the points but inside the top ten, Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) takes tenth after a stunning home performance from the rookie. For full results from the Sprint in Brazil click HERE.

After that first encounter, we can’t wait for more – so get ready for more MotoGP on Sunday as action returns in Goiania!

 

MotoGP: Sinkhole Repairs Delay Brazilian GP

Autodromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna. Photo courtesy MotoGP

Moto2 and Moto3 qualifying sessions have been postponed due to track surface issues caused by heavy rain in Goiânia.

 

MotoGP: Di Giannantonio On pole Position In Brazil

Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) during QP in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26 on the dry 2.38-mile (3.84 km) track, the Italian turned a 1:17.410. Not only was that good enough to top the 22-rider field, it was also his first pole since 2022.

Marco Bezzecchi was the best of the rest with a 1:17.480 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26, and Marc Marquez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:17.491 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Row-two qualifiers included Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:17.561), Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin (1:17.630) and Trackhouse Aprilia’s Ai Ogura (1:17.702).

 

QP MOTOGP

 

 

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Di Giannantonio heads Bezzecchi after dramatic first qualifying in Brazil. The Q1 graduates steal the show, Marc Marquez takes third and Quartararo makes some magic to head Row 2.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) came out on top in a dramatic Q2 in Brazil, moving through from Q1 to head the grid despite a crash on a lap that would have put him even quicker. His 1:17.410 sees him secure pole ahead of fellow Q1 graduate Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) forced to settle for third after a crash on his first run. He was far from the only one.

A word up top for the rider in fourth too – with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) putting in a stunner to qualify fourth and head Row 2 in the new V4-powered YZR-M1’s second full-time Grand Prix.

 

 

Marco Bezzecchi in the parc fermé in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Q1: Bezzecchi on a mission, Diggia on the chase


There was early drama for Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) as he crashed out in the first minutes – rider perfectly ok – following a crash in FP2 for the Italian too, clearly searching for the limit at a new venue. Bezzecchi was another who crashed in FP2 – compounding the pressure of being in Q1 – but the Italian was top of the timesheets from early doors.

He suffered a runoff later in Q1 but rejoined, and his place at the top of the session remained unthreatened – in fact, his Q1 lap remains the fastest of the day. Di Giannantonio joined him in the pole shootout in Q2, finding some impressive speed on Saturday and about to find even more.

 

From left to right with Marco Bezzecchi, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

 

Q2: Drama and magic in equal measure


Drama hit early again in Q2. First for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the Italian slid out at Turn 9, rider ok, and then for Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) soon after. Acosta was electric on his feet sprinting for the service road, luckily finding KTM stablemate Mika Kallio ready and waiting on a scooter to taxi him back to the paddock.

Next, about 30 seconds later Marc Marquez was on the floor – in exactly the same place. The race back to the box was on, as Diggia led the way on the timing screens from Marc Marquez by 0.071, Acosta hovered in P7 and Bagnaia remained the only rider with no time set after binning it before putting one in.

The #63 was first back out though and soon rectified that to at least slot into P9. Bezzechi then threatened the front row and took over in second, 0.060 off Diggia, with Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) slotting into fourth after a few red sectors and then seeing the lap fade slightly.

Meanwhile, Diggia improved at the top by 0.010, and then more drama – this time fo Martin. Red sectors this time saw the #89 crash out with no time to get back into the session, although rider perfectly ok.

The next red sector stunner to end in the gravel came from Diggia as an advantage of over a tenth – on his own time – went beginning as he slid out. The yellow flags got in the way for a few riders as the clock ticked down too, leaving only a few laps left to come in.

One of those coming in was from Quartararo. The #20 was up in the first sector, up in the second, and only 0.040 off in the third. Crossing the line it wasn’t quite pole, but it was just 0.151 off it as he slotted into fourth with a near-supernatural performance on Saturday morning.

Pole position, after his awesome charge up from Q1, stayed with Diggia. The #49 heads Bezzecchi by 0.070 with Marc Marquez – who couldn’t make up time as he headed back out – just 0.011 behind him to complete the front row for MotoGP’s return to Brazil. The Q1 graduates head the grid and Bezzecchi’s Q1 laptime is actually the fastest lap of qualifying – but Diggia’s pole is only 0.002 off it.  

 

THE GRID

Behind Diggia, Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez, Quartararo heads that second row, only 0.070 off the #93 ahead of him and 0.069 ahead of Martin, who didn’t lose out on any more positions after his crash barring Quartararo’s leapfrog. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) takes P6 to complete that second row.

Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) returns from injury with a P7 qualifying position, just ahead of Alex Marquez in eighth. Acosta will be ruing his crash as he lines up on the third row in P9, looking to make big progress from lights out to defend that championship lead.

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) takes P10, with Bagnaia unable to make much headway up from a 1:18.122 – putting him P11 on the grid. Toprak Razgatlioglu will line up P12 after moving directly through thanks to his stunning exploits with Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP on Friday, and the Turkish rookie is only 0.300 off Bagnaia ahead of him.

The stage is set for a stunning first Tissot Sprint in Brazil, with Acosta looking to move up, Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez right alongside each other… and Diggia on pole looking to prove his own point. Find full qualifying results HERE and tune in from 15:00 local time (UTC -3)!

MotoGP: Ogura Is Best In Saturday Practice At Goiânia

Ai Ogura (79) in Brazil. Photo courtesy Trackhouse.

Ai Ogura led MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning at Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna, in Brazil. Riding his Aprilia Trackhouse RS-GP26 on spec Michelin tires, Ogura turned a lap time of 1:18.237 to lead the 22-rider field.

Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:18.248 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Jorge Martin was third at 1:18.405 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26.

Marquez’s teammate, Francesco Bagnaia finished the session fourth with a 1:18.518.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pedro Acosta got fifth with a lap time of 1:18.616. 

 

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