Triumph unveils the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026 at the opening round of Moto2™ in Thailand; the #001 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a bespoke yoke engraving.
• Fans can vote for their favorite rider each round and enter a free prize draw to win their own #765 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a matching engraving.
• In preparation for the 2027 season, Triumph will begin testing 100% nonfossil fuels in the Moto2TM engines, assessing performance and durability.
On the eve of the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 MotoGP™ season, Triumph Motorcycles and MotoGP have pulled the covers off two exclusive Limited Edition prize bikes that will be awarded through year’s Triumph Triple Trophy competition.
The #001 Triumph Street Triple 765 Moto2™ Edition model will be awarded to the rider who delivers the most stand-out performances in Moto2 this season, as voted for by the fans. In addition, one lucky Triumph and Moto2™ fan will win the #765 model in a free prize draw for the 2026 season. With only 1,000 motorcycles being produced worldwide, the Moto2™ Edition features carbon fiber components, and these two bikes will feature an individually numbered and personalized billet-machined top yoke, making this prize even more exclusive.
At the official press conference at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent also outlined the next steps in Triumph’s sustainable fuel development program, ahead of the 2027 Moto2™ season when, regulations will mandate the use of 100% non-fossil fuels. Following successful durability testing with 40% non-fossil fuels last year, Triumph has now completed the majority of engine mapping and optimization work required to begin the next phase of testing. Throughout this year, Triumph and Moto2™ will evaluate samples of 100% non-fossil fuels for both performance and durability.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles said: “Powering the Moto2™ World Championship over the past seven years has been a journey. From the first race in Qatar in 2019, we haven’t stopped working to develop the Moto2™ project. Together, we have completed 1,781,698 kms in the Moto2™ World Championship and all that mileage helps us to develop and introduce updates to further benefit on-track performance. Alongside improving performance, we are also committed to supporting the development of a sustainable future for motorcycling and motorcycle sport. So, as the championship moves toward 100% non-fossil fuels, we will be using samples of 100% non-fossil fuels to test performance and durability during this season.”
Sargent continued, “The Triumph Triple Trophy competition is also proving to be increasingly popular with fans and riders. With a record number of votes last year and thousands of fans entering the competition from around the world, we wanted to create a Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike that was another step closer to the Moto2™ World Championship machine. That’s why we’re giving riders and fans the chance to win a highly exclusive Moto2TM Limited Edition Street Triple 765. Customized with specially engraved yokes, the riders will be fighting on the track for the #001 motorcycle, while the fans will be entering for their chance to take home the #765 model.”
Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director: “The Triumph Triple Trophy is a great way to connect with fans around the world, and it makes sure they feel part of the competition. Moto2™ continues to deliver exciting action, and we know that 2026 will be no different. It was amazing to see so many fans engage with the 2025 season, and congratulations to Mr. Ma from China who took home their own Triumph Triple Trophy bike. This year, it’s exciting to see these Moto2™ Edition models selected as the grand prize which makes the 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy even more special for the riders and fans to be involved in.”
Triumph Triple Trophy victor and 2025 Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira with his Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike. Photo courtesy Triumph.
RECOGNIZING STANDOUT PERFORMANCES SINCE 2020
Running alongside the Moto2™ World Championship, the Triumph Triple Trophy has celebrated standout performances since 2020, recognizing that there are more success stories during a Grand Prix weekend than just the race win. The inaugural Triumph Triple Trophy was won by Marco Bezzecchi in 2020, with Raul Fernandez in 2021, Jeremy Alcoba in 2022, Pedro Acosta in 2023, Ai Ogura in 2024, and Diogo Moreira in 2025 adding their names to the winners list.
Moreira, who was also crowned the Moto2™ World Champion, earned the most fan votes during the 2025 season and was declared the Triumph Triple Trophy winner after securing the decisive votes in the penultimate round at Portimão. He collected his Street Triple 765 RS the following week in Valencia.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
FINDING THE TRIUMPH TRIPLE TROPHY WINNER
On the Sunday of each Grand Prix weekend, three Moto2™ riders will be shortlisted by a judging panel made up of representatives from MotoGP and Triumph for their standout performances on track. Fans can then vote for their chosen rider through the official MotoGP™ Instagram channel, and each rider will receive points based on the number of votes cast.
In reference to Triumph’s 765cc engine, points at each GP are awarded as follows:
• 7 points for the rider with the most fan votes
• 6 points for the rider with the second most fan votes
• 5 points for the rider with the third most fan votes
Once voting closes, the final order of the three shortlisted riders is confirmed, and the leaderboard is updated after each round.
For the second year in a row, fans can also register to win their own Triumph Triple Trophy motorcycle through a free prize draw on the Triumph Motorcycles website. A simple entry form provides the chance to win, and last year the prize was awarded to a fan in China.
The 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy begins on Sunday, March 1, following the season opener at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, when the competition goes live and fans can vote and enter for the first time this season.
Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
TWO WINNERS, TWO PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLES
The two winners will each receive a highly exclusive Street Triple Moto2™ Edition, featuring the 765cc triple engine derived from the Moto2™ race platform. The #001 motorcycle is reserved for the winning Moto2™ rider, while number 765 will be presented to a fan at the end of the season.
This circuit-bred model includes premium race-inspired details such as carbon fiber side panels, a carbon fiber front mudguard, belly pan, and a carbon fiber silencer end cap that delivers a lightweight, high-tech finish. It features a bold Moto2™-embossed seat with a dimpled pattern for improved grip, a clear-lens rear light, and a laser-etched Moto2™ logo on the silencer. The striking Mineral Grey and Crystal White color scheme is paired with a vibrant Triumph Performance Yellow rear subframe and a matching rear wheel stripe for a distinctive race-bred look.
Each bike is individually numbered on a billet-machined top yoke, which also carries Moto2™ branding, positioned alongside a TFT display featuring a Moto2™ branded start-up screen. This will be enhanced with a personalized engraving and Triumph Triple Trophy branding, reinforcing its unique, limitededition status and collector appeal.
Follow to vote for your favorite rider and enter the free prize draw for a chance to win the Triumph Triple Trophy 2026 motorcycle.
Find out more about Triumph’s Street Triple 765 RS, RX and Moto2 Edition at triumphmotorcycles.com.
In the second race of the Moto4 Asia Cup at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, 15-year-old MotoAmerica Twins Cup racer Bodie Paige finished 9th, taking the checkered flag 3.419 seconds behind the race winner.
Bodie Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige’s social media.
His 14-year-old younger brother Jake Paige, who will be racing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup this season, crossed the finish line 17th, ending the race 31.587 seconds off the lead at Chang International Circuit.
Jake Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Jake Paige’s social media.
Bodie Paige is currently 12th in the Moto4 Asia Cup Championship standings with 11 points after the Thailand round, while Jake Paige is 20th overall with 0 points.
More from a press release issued by Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup:
Chishiki doubles up as podium fight goes to final corner. The Japanese star makes it two wins from two in Buriram as Irfan and Togashi clinch maiden podiums in the class.
Hayato Chishiki claimed a maximum 50 points from the opening weekend of Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup action in Thailand thanks to his classy Race 2 victory on Sunday morning. The Japanese rider rode clear of the chasers to earn a second win in the class by over two seconds, as Qabil Irfan and Kotaro Togashi clinched their first podiums in P2 and P3.
In the latter stages of the 15-lap race, Chishiki pulled the pin at the front and unlike in Race 1 where Waku Kunitate went with the #16, no one was able to tag onto the back of the eventual race winner. However, the fight for the final podium spots went right down to the wire. Irfan eventually won that particular battle by 0.127s over Togashi, as both the Malaysian and Japanese rising stars celebrate their first Moto4 Asia Cup rostrums.
Kunitate ended Race 2 in P4 to collect a good haul of points from Round 1, while Bintang Pranata eventually settled for P5 after the Indonesian was demoted one position after the chequered flag for irresponsible riding on the final lap.
What a start to the season then in Thailand! Next up, we rejoin the MotoGP paddock at the Qatar Grand Prix in April for Round 2, where we can expect more of the same epic racing.
Want to watch the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup race 2 ? Click HERE !
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It was a historic night inside The World Center of Racing for Round 8 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac cemented his place atop the all-time greatest racers at Daytona International Speedway with a record breaking eighth Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship win at the iconic venue. The Colorado native broke a three-year tie with NASCAR legend Richard Petty, owner of seven Daytona 500 victories, to become the most decorated athlete of the speedway’s celebrated 67-year history.
Eli Tomac Becomes Most Decorated Racer in Daytona International Speedway History with Eighth Monster Energy Supercross Victory at Iconic Venue.
It wasn’t an easy path to victory for Tomac, as he began the 450SMX Class Main Event in fourth, behind each of his primary competitors in the championship. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence, last week’s winner and current points leader, opened the 20 Minute + 1 Lap race with the holeshot, but was quickly passed by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion, slotted into third ahead of Tomac, which set the stage for a thrilling battle between the best in the class. As Roczen and Lawrence settled in out front, Tomac started his pursuit of the lead with an early pass on Webb for third. The top three continuously searched for faster lines on the ever-changing rutty, technical, sandy racetrack and sat within 1.5 seconds of one another with around 14 minutes remaining.
As the race approached the halfway point Tomac elected to make his push and took advantage of a couple sections on the track where he excelled to attack his rivals. He first made an assertive pass on Lawrence for second and on the ensuing lap railed the outside of an option lane to shoot past Roczen as they sprinted to the finish line jump. Tomac seized control of the lead with about 12:30 left on the race clock and quickly opened up a multi-second margin. Roczen held strong in second until the race closed in on the final five minutes, when Lawrence’s patience and persistence paid off and allowed the Australian to take over second. About three seconds separated Tomac from Lawrence, but the championship leader was unable to make significant inroads on his deficit as the race drew to a close.
Tomac was never challenged once he moved into the lead and carried on to take his fourth win of the season and the 57th victory of his career by 1.3 seconds over Lawrence. Roczen finished in a distant third while Webb was largely on his own en route to fourth, with Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy in fifth.
Tomac closed to within a single point of Lawrence in the championship standings, while Roczen and Webb now sit tied for third, 20 points out of the lead.
The fourth win of the season for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made him one of the most transcendent figures in motorsports history at Daytona with eight victories at the iconic speedway. Photo courtesy SMX
Eli Tomac – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“[The wins] are all awesome, but somehow, I’ve won eight of these. I don’t want to think about how old I am. I just go out there and roost the berms like I’m at my home track [in Colorado]. I love this dirt and just love how this track develops. Of course, I had to work for it there and went through all my main competition. I just had a great time on my motorcycle and happy to make up points this weekend.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence maintained his hold of the championship points lead with his fifth runner-up finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It was a tough [Main Event] on a really tough track. I was figuring out where to compensate with the bike and it just took me too long to do that. In the end I was kind of making it work, but it was too late and Eli [Tomac] got his eighth win here. I really wanted to stop that tonight, but I couldn’t make up the difference.”
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen led early on for the second week in a row and recorded his fifth podium result of the year. Photo courtesy SMX
Ken Roczen – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“I gave it my best out there and led for a bunch. I had a really good start too and in the Main Event that really counts. I was searching a little bit in the beginning, it was a tricky track and a lot faster than what we’ve seen the past few years here. Once I got passed, I knew those guys were maybe a little bit faster, so I tried to hang on and follow some lines. I was right there until the end and just got messed up by some lappers and those guys got away a little bit. I just wasn’t the best tonight, but I’m happy with a podium.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker Goes Wire-to-Wire for Dominant 250SMX Class Win
The second race of the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship featured an impressive showing from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who entered the night show banged up from a hard crash in afternoon qualifying. The Pennsylvania native was able to secure the holeshot over Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda and established a firm grasp on the lead from the outset of the 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event. Behind them was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Drew Adams, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown, the opening round winner and points leader.
As Hammaker and Shimoda asserted themselves out front, Adams continued what was turning into a breakout night with a pass for third. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was making moves as the fastest rider on the track. The New Zealander made an impressive climb from ninth off the start to pass both his teammates and move into fourth. He then set his sights on Adams and successfully made the pass for third with six minutes to go. Not long after that Adams crashed out of the race, which allowed Brown to assume fourth.
With just over a minute remaining Shimoda went down in the sand section as he simultaneously looked to close in on Hammaker and fend off Davies. The defending SMX World Champion remounted quickly, but not before Davies and Brown got by for second and third. Hammaker completed a dominant wire-to-wire effort by a margin of 4.2 seconds over Davies, while Brown rounded out the podium. Shimoda was forced to settle for fourth, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Daxton Bennick in fifth.
Hammaker’s fourth career win ended a reign of dominance for the Star Yamaha effort, which had won every 250SMX Class race of the season up to that point. The Kawasaki rider’s victory moved him into second in the Eastern Divisional standings, where he is now two points behind Brown for the lead. Shimoda dropped to third, five points back.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker dominated the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event with a wire-to-wire performance. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It feels unreal [to win at Daytona]. I had a big crash in qualifying, and I feel like it really tests you mentally how you come back from that. I’m proud of the effort tonight and the team crushed it. It’s super cool to get a win at Daytona. It’s an unreal feeling. Really good to get this win and keep the momentum rolling.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) made an impressive climb from ninth to second for his first podium finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX.
Cole Davies – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“They didn’t prep the gates all day, so I didn’t get good traction out the gate and was buried off the start. It was a good comeback. I did what I could. I wanted that win, but still a good ride.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown maintained his hold of the points lead with a third-place effort. Photo courtesy SMX.
Pierce Brown – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It was a battle. Not the best start. I took a gamble with my gate, and we chose the wrong one. It happens. We battled and were there late when other riders made mistakes to salvage a third. I can’t be too mad about it. We’re in good shape [in points] and will keep doing our thing.”
Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right) Cole Davies, Seth Hammaker, and Pierce Brown. Photo courtesy SMX
Daytona also signified the third race of SMX Next – Supercross, which featured 22 of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross. Two different winners stood atop the podium through the first two races and that trend continued as a third different up-and-coming racer claimed victory at Daytona. Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno opened the 8 Minute + 1 Lap with the holeshot and led early before he gave way to Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson. Denno fought back to reclaim the lead after just a lap and carried on to become the third different SMX Next winner in as many races. It was the first SMX Next victory for the 17-year-old Texan as well as the first for the budding Triumph amateur program. He took the checkered flag 4.4 seconds ahead of 18-year-old Landen Gordon, who rides for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, while 16-year-old Vincent Wey rounded out the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green.
Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno became the third different prospect to emerge victorious in SMX Next – Supercross competition this season. Photo courtesy SMX
Deacon Denno – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross:
“I got the start but then jumped the whoops for the first time after skimming all day and lost the lead. It was a dumb move by me, but I made the pass back. Last year here in Daytona I finished 14th. There’s a lot that’s been done since then and just proves that if you work your butt off you can be up here like I am. I knew I could do it and I put the track together. I’m so stoked.”
SMX Next – Supercross Podium (left to right) Landen Gordon, Deacon Denno, and Vincent Wey. Photo courtesy SMX
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 7, for the ninth race of the season from Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, which will signify the second Triple Crown race of the 2026 season. 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 Pea cock 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:
Marco Bezzecchi won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 26-lap race by over five seconds.
Sprint race winner, Pedro Acosta was the runner-up on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.
Raul Fernandez placed third on his Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.
Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin, finished fourth, and Fernandez’s teammate, Ai Ogura, completed the top five.
Pedro Acosta leads the championship with 32 points, 7 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi who has 25 points. Raul Fernandez is third with 23 points.
Bezzecchi bounces back with victory as Marc Marquez suffers Thailand DNF. The Aprilia star beats Acosta and Fernandez to Round 1 glory as a rear tyre puncture ends the reigning World Champion’s podium hopes in Buriram.
Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing are hat-trick heroes in MotoGP for the first time after the Italian dominates a dramatic PT Grand Prix of Thailand to back up his 2025 Portugal and Valencia victories with a Buriram beauty at the beginning of 2026. Tissot Sprint winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished P2 to make sure he leaves Thailand as the MotoGP World Championship leader, as Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) begins the year with a P3 in a Grand Prix which saw reigning World Champion Marc Marquez suffer a race-ending puncture while in the podium fight. And that means Ducati’s unbelievable record-breaking podium streak of 88 in a row is over – for the first time since the 2021 British GP, no Ducati rider stood on the Sunday rostrum.
BEZ GETS THE LAUNCH, MM93 UNDER ATTACK
After an incredible Tissot Sprint on Saturday, it was time for lights out on Sunday and getting the perfect launch from pole was Bezzecchi, with Marc Marquez keeping hold of P2. But not for long. Turn 7 saw Fernandez pinch P2 away from the reigning World Champion and then, a third Aprilia was having a bite at #93. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) was briefly ahead of the 2025 World Champion, but the latter bit back.
Bezzecchi was into a great early Grand Prix rhythm at the front, with Fernandez 0.9s away at the end of Lap 3. Then, attacking down at Turn 3 on Lap 4, Martin struck again. Marc Marquez was shuffled back to P4 by the 2024 World Champion, and then, Acosta entered the battle.
ACOSTA VS MARTIN VS MARC MARQUEZ
Turn 12. #93 vs #37. Shades of a memorable Sprint scrap. Acosta made a move up the inside stick to climb into fourth, with Marc Marquez down to P5 and as things stood, the current King had zero answers.
As Bezzecchi and Fernandez continued to set a similar pace in P1 and P2, we strapped ourselves in to enjoy Martin vs Acosta. The KTM star had several bites at the cherry on Lap 8 and 9, but Aprilia’s #89 was defending brilliantly.
Then, Acosta did find a way through on Martin. On the exit of a move at Turn 3, Acosta was through but getting a Lap 10 two-for-one deal on the run up to Turn 4 was Marc Marquez. But Acosta wasn’t having any of that. The pre-Grand Prix title leader chose Turn 8 to attack his compatriot, and it was a leap up the inside that worked. Acosta, eventually, was P3.
PODIUM CHASE ON AS DRAMA BEGINS TO UNFOLD
Now though, by Lap 14, the gap to second place Fernandez and leader Bezzecchi had grown. However, Acosta was beginning to catch the Trackhouse Aprilia, with the gap just below two seconds as the Grand Prix entered its final 10 laps.
Behind, Marc Marquez sat 1.4s away from Acosta, with Martin sitting 0.8s back of the leading Ducati. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was over three seconds up the road and in relative cruise control. It was the Italian’s 25 points to throw away at this stage.
With seven to go, Fernandez’s grip on P2 was loosening. Acosta was now under a second away from the #25, and Marc Marquez was lurking too. Until he wasn’t. As we panned back to watch Fernandez, Acosta and Marc Marquez come through Turn 4, it was clear the latter had a problem. And it became obvious it was a rear tyre puncture. Drama in Buriram, the reigning World Champion was out of the Thai Grand Prix.
Then, last year’s runner-up was out too. Alex Marquez crashed at the rapid Turn 4, thankfully the #73 was up and walking, but that ended a disappointing weekend at the office for the Gresini Racing star.
More drama then occurred. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) was forced to retire from the Grand Prix with rear tyre problems too after the 2020 World Champion had strung a very strong race together in the top six, and all of a sudden, there were four Aprilias in the top five, with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) showing some aggressive late pace.
And so, after a punishing Thai Grand Prix, Bezzecchi made amends for his Sprint error to clinch victory on Sunday and win three Grands Prix in a row for the first time. Acosta’s wait for a Grand Prix win goes on, but that was another sublime performance from the KTM star, who will head to Brazil as the MotoGP World Championship leader. And fair play to Fernandez. After some serious shoulder troubles surfaced in Warm Up, the Spaniard celebrates another P3 to grab a double Round 1 podium.
YOUR POINTS SCORERS IN THAILAND
Having missed the Sepang Test and considering what he went through in 2025, Martin will be elated to start the campaign with P4, with the very impressive #89 finished three tenths ahead of Ogura. The Japanese rider recovers to round out the top five, with the lead Ducati rider over the line being Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in P6.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) hands KTM a double top seven finish in P7, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) leaves it late – the final corner of the final lap to be precise – to pocket P8 from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). It’s P9 on Sunday for the 2022 and 2023 MotoGP World Champion, as Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) completed the top 10.
Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were P11 and P12 across the line, with rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) pocketing points on debut with a P13 ahead of the Brazilian’s home round next. Rounding out the points-paying positions were Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP duo Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.
THANK YOU, THAILAND
Round 1 = completed. What a start to the year that was in MotoGP, as Acosta heads to Brazil as the World Championship leader after a drama-filled opening chapter. Boy, it’s good to be back.
Manuel Gonzalez won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard won the 7-lap race by 0.099 second.
The race was halted twice by red flags after early incidents at the Chang International Circuit. An initial crash on lap 3 involving Senna Agius, David Alonso and Filip Salac brought out the first red flag. After the restart, a second incident involving Sergio Garcia and Luca Lunetta triggered another red flag and led to a full reset.
Izan Guevara was the runner-up on his Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
Daniel Holgado was third on his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex.
Ivan Ortola finished fourth on his QJMotor Pons Grup MSi Kalex and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer took fifth.
American Joe Roberts crashed his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Manuel Gonzalez leads the championship with 25 points, 5 ahead of Izan Guevara who has 20 points. Daniel Holgado is third with 16 points.
Gonzalez denies Guevara in tense stand-off for Buriram glory. Two red flags and a head-to-head finish but even with the same victor as 12 months ago, there were plenty of talking points in Moto2.
A dramatic start to the Moto2 season saw two red flags at Buriram before a tense final two laps welcomed a head-to-head battle between Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Izan Guevera (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2). Last year’s runner-up took gold in the opening encounter ahead of Guevara, whilst Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) took third.
Manuel Gonzalez on the podium at Buriram. Photo courtesy Pirelli.
From P2 on the grid, it was a perfect start for Guevara as he grabbed Moto2’s first holeshot of 2026. He didn’t hold the lead for long though as he ran wide at Turn 3 along with polesitter Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI), allowing Holgado into P1 from fourth. However, on Lap 3, an incident at Turn 9 involving Agius, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team) brought out the red flag. Alonso was taken to the medical centre with arm pain whilst Agius and Salac could take the restart from pitlane.
With the distance reduced to just 11 laps, it promised to be elbows out from the start. Holgado got to Turn 1 first and led the field down to Turn 3 where there was more drama. Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) tucked the front, leaving class rookie Luca Lunetta (SYNC Group SpeedRS Team) nowhere to go. This brought out the second red flag of the Grand Prix with a new distance of seven laps set to sort out the order.
For the final start for a seven-lap dash, it was Holgado who once again led the charge but was soon behind Guevara who got under him at Turn 3. The battle was fierce as Gonzalez pushed through on Holgado on Lap 2 before going after Guevera; Holgado was third with Ortola fourth, all four riders in the leading group.
Moto2 podium, from left to right, with Izan Guevara, Manuel Gonzalez and Daniel Holgado. Photo courtesy Pirelli.
After stalking Guevara, Gonzalez pounced on the penultimate lap at Turn 7 with a bold move but the #28 wasn’t giving up as he tried to fight back at Turns 8, 9 and 12. Onto the final lap and it was last year’s runner-up who held the advantage and despite Guevara’s best efforts at the final corner around the outside, Gonzalez held on to repeat his season-opening victory from 2025 and take charge in 2026. Behind them, Holgado rounded out the first podium of the season whilst Ortola and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the top five.
Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team) took P6 ahead of Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Deniz Öncu (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), with Ayumu Sasaki (Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team) completing the top ten.
Find here full results from Moto2 in Buriram and come back for more from Brazil in a couple of weeks!
David Almansa won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Using his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM, the Spaniard won the 19-lap race by just 0.003 second.
Maximo Quiles was the runner-up on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM.
Valentin Perrone was third, 9.480 seconds behind Almansa.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe got fourth and Veda Pratama crossed the finish line fifth on his Honda Team Asia machine.
David Almansa leads the championship with 25 points, 5 ahead of Maximo Quiles who has 20 points. Valentin Perrone is third with 16 points.
Converting pole position to a first-ever victory doesn’t tell the full story but the #22 takes the early Championship leader and the winner’s trophy from Thailand.
A classic start Moto3’s 2026 campaign? Just what we ordered. It was very much a case of the calm before the storm as David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) battled to a maiden victory in a final corner, last lap thriller ahead of Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). 0.003s and the joint-closest finish, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) opened his account with a podium behind the duelling Spaniards up ahead.
Moto3 podium, from left to right, with Maximo Quiles, David Almansa and Valentin Perrone. Photo courtesy Pirelli
The first holeshot of the season went to polesitter Almansa, who let the brakes off to hold P1. It was a drag race down to Turn 3 against Quiles but the #22 held firm and lead the opening lap of the season. Behind, there was drama for Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) who crashed at Turn 5 on Lap 2, the same corner that ended hiss Thai GP last year. Lap 3 saw another rider fall from the top ten as Guido Pini’s (Leopard Racing) debut with his new team saw him crash at Turn 12 but the Italian sophomore remounted and rejoined the action, eventually finishing 20th.
Five laps in and what looked like a breakaway group of four – consisting of Almansa, Quiles, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) – had been reeled in. They now had rookie sensation Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and Argentinean Perrone for company with approximately one second covering the top six. At the end of Lap 6, a mistake from Carpe allowed Fernandez through before another mistake allowed Pratama into fourth and the Indonesian didn’t stop there. He forced his way under Fernandez to take P3 at the end of Lap 7, sitting in a provisional podium position on his debut.
As half distance approached the front two had scarpered. At the end of Lap 11, our first change in the lead as Quiles decided to take over at the front from Almansa at Turn 12, now giving his fellow Spaniard a chance to study his own strengths and weaknesses. It didn’t last long though, as Quiles ran off at Turn 1 to gift his rival the lead straight back. Both were matching each other’s lap times, the only riders in the 1’41s – a true head-to-head to get us started in 2026. Seven seconds behind, there were passes in abundance with Fernandez, having dropped to sixth, climbing back into third with three to go.
Onto the last lap and after a Turn 12 error from Quiles, Almansa sported a half a second advantage as they took in the final 4.5km of Buriram. However, Quiles wasn’t finished and put in an outstanding final lap to get back on terms for one final attack into the last corner. Defending his line, he forced Quiles to let the brakes off and it looked like he got the job done but on the run to the line, Almansa had better drive to snatch his first victory in Moto3 by just 0.003s, equalling the closest finish of all-time in Moto3. In the scrap for third, Perrone fought his way ahead of Carpe, likewise in a final corner pass whilst Pratama took top Honda honours in fifth on his debut, ahead of Fernandez.
Valentin Perrone (73), Joel Esteban (78) and Casey O’Gorman at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Outside the top six, Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was a strong seventh ahead of Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) and David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) who rounded out the top ten. Just missing out on the top ten by 0.206s, it was 11th for rookie Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Adventure Has No Limits with More Fuel Capacity, Rider Aids, Suspension Travel, and Adventure Touring Enhancements.
MARIETTA, Ga. –Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is bringing its highly anticipated adventure motorcycle, the Ténéré 700 World Raid, to the United States. Built for riders seeking the longest, most challenging journeys, the 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid expands Yamaha’s Adventure Touring (ADV) lineup with premium upgrades, new components and the latest technology, elevating the Dakar-bred long-distance adventure-tourer to new horizons.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
KEY DETAILS
Yamaha’s 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid is coming to the U.S.
Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) with two power modes, 6-axis IMU and lean-sensitive traction control, slide control and ABS add flexibility to every ride
One-piece seat, dual tanks and updated bodywork enable more freedom of movement
Upgraded suspension, strong steel frame, new steering damper and ergonomic updates elevate the riding experience and provide better comfort and performance both on- and off-road
Large TFT dash, handlebar switches, cruise control and rider selectable speed limiter add long-distance comfort
POWER AND CONTROL
The latest iteration of Yamaha’s acclaimed 689cc CP2 twin engine offers linear, useable torque and precise control suited to adventures both on- and off-road. To make the best use of the power from the CP2 engine, the Ténéré 700 World Raid utilizes the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) with two power modes: ‘Sport’ mode for dynamic power delivery on spirited road rides, and ‘Explorer’ for smoother throttle reaction in off-road sections or on wet surfaces. Riders can switch between the power modes on the go, with closed throttle, from the handlebar switchgear.
The Ténéré 700 World Raid is equipped with a 6-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). It constantly measures the machine’s acceleration and angular velocity to determine forces affecting the bike. The lean-sensitive Traction Control System (TCS) and Slide Control System (SCS) both use data from the IMU to adjust the engine power and control the amount of traction and slide the rider has selected to use. Both systems feature three modes – STREET, OFF-ROAD and OFF – to give riders the option to select the level of system support, and to achieve optimum levels of traction and slide whether riding on- or off-road.
For ABS/Brake Control, there is a dedicated button to select between ABS modes. When ABS is switched ON, Brake Control can be enabled to provide cornering ABS, while the off-road focused REAR OFF and OFF modes allow either the rear or both wheels to lock for full off-road control. Strong stopping power and excellent braking consistency are achieved with steel-braided brake lines that run to the Brembo front callipers paired with large 282mm brake discs.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
BUILT TO GO FURTHER
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid features enhanced ergonomics and technology to make long-distance adventures more exhilarating and comfortable while the large dual fuel tanks ensure the ride is not cut short.
The new fuel tank assembly consists of two connected aluminum fuel tanks with a total capacity of 6.1 gallons (1.8 gallons more than the Ténéré 700) providing around 300 miles of range. Separate tanks reduce the effect of fuel movement improving handling, while the low position of the fuel pump contributes to a more centralised weight distribution.
A one-piece rally-style seat makes it easy to transition from sitting to standing or move from front to rear, offering the rider greater freedom of movement and strengthening the ADV nature of the machine. Adding to rider comfort, a new windscreen and easily removable side deflectors provide high levels of wind and weather protection.
For highway cruising, the 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid is equipped with Cruise Control, along with a switchable and adjustable Speed Limiter to make adhering to speed limits effortless. Large footpegs provide high levels of control and grip, with removable rubber inserts to provide extra comfort for long highway journeys. The Ténéré 700 World Raid is also ready to be fitted with the optional up and down quickshifter, for seamless shifting on any journey.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
ON-ROAD OR OFF-ROAD
The Ténéré 700 World Raid adds nearly an inch of wheel travel in both the front (230mm/9.1 inches) and rear (220mm/8.6 inches) from the standard Ténéré 700. The fully adjustable KYB suspension package provides control and comfort in demanding off-road conditions as well as absorbing bumps and potholes on the road. At the front, high-grade aluminum triple clamps and upside-down forks with preload, compression and rebound adjustment offer optimised rigidity and feel. The forks now feature larger 46mm diameter inner tubes, up from 43mm, but the total weight of the front fork assembly remains the same. With Kashima coating, friction and abrasion have been minimised, and revised spring and damping specifications improve shock absorption and tire contact with the ground, resulting in greater rider comfort and confidence. In extreme riding situations, suspension bottoming is also reduced.
The fully adjustable linked-type KYB Monocross rear suspension has also been upgraded. It now provides improved performance in demanding off-road conditions thanks to the increased shock stroke (+5mm to 106mm), and a specifically designed linkage contribute to more progressive suspension. The aluminum shock body is lightweight and ensures heat dissipation, while the piggyback reservoir offers extra oil capacity to ensure the damper performs well under all conditions. With the suspension enhancements, more than half-an-inch of ground clearance is added from the standard Ténéré 700, bringing total clearance to 255mm/10-inches.
For best performance both on- and off-road, spoked aluminum wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) run the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires with 50/50 on-road and off-road behavior, providing high levels of grip on both dry and wet roads, strong agility and good stability at higher speeds, traction in off-road situations and reduced road noise.
A 16-step adjustable steering damper provides a wide range of feel and feedback to the rider, with the option to dial up damping for more support in off-road riding. The impact of riding in ruts, bouncing over potholes or experiencing strong side winds is transmitted to the handlebars more gently, resulting in better rider comfort and confidence, and reduced fatigue on long adventure trips.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
STAY CONNECTED
A premium 6.3-inch full-color TFT display is vertically positioned to offer the best visibility for the rider whether sitting or standing. The display offers three theme options – STREET, EXPLORER and RAID – focusing on specific information to suit different riding styles and environments. Ergonomic handlebar switches enable the rider to easily and effortlessly use the controls and make adjustments to the bike on the go.
Key information is displayed in all themes, including speed, engine rpm, fuel level, average fuel consumption, gearshift indicator, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, odometer, trip meter and time. With analog elements, the STREET theme is the closest to the classic Ténéré look. The EXPLORER theme is crafted for off-road riding with all the essential information accessible at a single glance in a refined and modern dynamic digital style. The RAID theme includes two large trip meters in a roadbook-inspired design.
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid connects to mobile devices over Bluetooth, allowing riders to make calls, listen to messages and emails, and enjoy music. The free Yamaha MyRide app enables the bike to sync with iOS or Andriod devices. It enables phone controls and Google-powered turn-by-turn navigation on the TFT display, tracks and stores every route covered, and enables users to create their own story and add pictures which can be shared on social media. MyRide also allows users to review all riding statistics including total distance, elevation, top speed, average speed, acceleration and lean angle to compare with fellow riders.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
TOP FEATURES
Large-capacity dual fuel tanks with centralized weight distribution
Six-axis IMU with Lean-sensitive Traction Control, Slide Control, and ABS
Fully adjustable 46mm KYB® forks and high-spec KYB rear suspension
Ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T®) System with two power modes
Cruise Control and selectable Speed Limiter
Long-distance rider comfort and weather protection features
New adjustable steering damper for improved comfort and reduced fatigue
Large 6.3-inch full-color vertical TFT display with Raid theming
New four-beam rectangular LED headlight unit offers excellent illumination
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid comes in Redline White and Midnight Black colorways and are branded with premium emblems and decals. It will be available from U.S. dealers in May starting at $12,999 MSRP. It will join Yamaha’s Adventure Touring lineup alongside the standard Ténéré 700, which returns for 2026 unchanged, available in Team Yamaha Blue and Tech Titanium in March for the same starting price of $10,999 MSRP.
YAMAHA GENUINE ACCESSORIES
Genuine Yamaha accessories make it easy to personalize the Ténéré 700 World Raid for any specific usage and preference. While several 2025 and 2026 Ténéré 700 accessories are compatible, model-specific accessories for the 2026 World Raid will also be available, such as a front guard, skid plate, radiator guard, side grip pads, lowering kit, panel guard and fog light bracket.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL –On The Box Racing (OTB Racing) is proud to officially announce its five-rider team for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, marking a significant expansion for the team across three premier classes: Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, and AFT AdventureTrackers.
The 2026 program represents the largest and most comprehensive effort in the team’s existence and reflects the continued support and investment from our sponsors.
Competing in AFT’s premier division, the Mission AFT SuperTwins, OTB Racing will field Declan Bender and Brandon Price. Price sat out a majority of the season in 2025 due to injury, where OTB picked up Bender for the remaining eleven races of the season. Bender finished 10th overall in 2025 with one podium finish, four top five finishes, and nine top 10 finishes. Price finished 13th overall, with only competing in five of the seventeen races last year, two of which were podium finishes.
“I am so excited to be back with OTB racing for this season,” says Bender. “After how we finished 2025, I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and continue where we left off. The team and I have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and are very confident in where we believe we should be, so now we just have to turn it into reality!”
Price also chimed in on his gratitude. “I’m grateful to Wayne for the opportunity to race a full season at the top level once again with OTB Racing. I’m really comfortable on the Yamaha MT-07’s and I’m looking forward to working with Mike Luczak and Wyatt Neal. I’ve been putting in the work this offseason to run up front more consistently and contend for wins.”
Brandon Price (92). Photo courtesy AFT.
For the first time, OTB also has brought on a KICKER AFT Singles rider, Bradon Pfanders. Last year, Bradon finished 6th overall in the standings with one podium and eleven top ten finishes.
Pfanders is super excited for the opportunity to ride for the OTB racing team in 2026.“It’s a fresh start for me, after riding another brand for most of my career and having this opportunity to ride Yamahas I was a little skeptical at first, but maybe it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing to be where I know I should be. I am confident with myself and all the people in my corner we can consistently be fighting at the front all season long.”
Brandon Pfanders (83). Photo courtesy AFT.
Wrapping up the team’s line up is the two riders who will be competing in the AFT AdventureTrackers series, Austin Luczak and Will Harris. Both Luczak and Harris competed in the class last year. Luczak ran all four races of the series, finishing 6th overall and grabbing a third place finish as well as three tops fives.
Team Owner, Wayne Sody is looking forward to the new challenges. “2026 is our year. We have researched and developed new technologies which will take us to the top. Crew chief, Mike Luczak has prepared our bikes for the last two years with absolute perfection and we are so excited to have the best equipment for our riders this season. I am thrilled to have OTB represented in three classes and see what is in store for us this season. We need to show our sponsors that their dedication to the team is well deserved and will bring home the consistent podium finishes that we strive for!”
OTB has also added some new faces to the pit. Mike Luczak returns as crew chief along with Wyatt Neal as Brandon Price’s mechanic and Meg Neal as team manager. Rich Pfanders will be wrenching for Declan Bender, and Ryan Wells will wrench and coach the young gun, Bradon Pfanders.
Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible – Memphis Shades, Corbin, Sody Concrete, Glen’s Auto, Luczak Racing, Rausch Racing, Vortex Brewing Company, Fredericktown Yamaha, Lisa Niner, Black Hills Powersports, Vinson Construction, Motion Pro, Vortex, Arai, ODI, RP Exhausts, and Upstate Coatings.
Next Up
The 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season will kick off with the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona’s Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the “World Center of Racing” on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6.
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
In the first race of the Moto4 Asia Cup at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, 15-year-old MotoAmerica Twins Cup racer Bodie Paige finished 12th, taking the checkered flag 6.511 seconds behind the race winner. Australian Paige’s race included a long lap penalty, which he served mid-race, before recovering to secure four championship points.
Bodie Paige:“Got off to a solid start today. I wasn’t in the best position when it came time to serve the long lap, but I managed to regroup, make up a few positions, and felt strong with my pace towards the end of the race. We’ve got another one tomorrow, so the goal is to back it up, put myself inside the top five, and be in the fight for a podium in the closing laps. Looking forward to getting back out there.”
Jake Paige (15) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Jake Paige’s social media.
His 14-year-old younger brother Jake Paige, who will be racing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup this season, crossed the finish line 19th, ending the race 29.506 seconds off the lead at Chang International Circuit.
Jake Paige:“Today was a tough one. I was carrying an injury from a crash in qualifying this morning. I felt like we had solid race pace and things were shaping up well early on, but my shoulder just wouldn’t cooperate and I struggled through the second half of the race. I’ll focus on recovery tonight and do everything I can to have the shoulder ready to go tomorrow. We’ll reset and come back stronger.”
More from a press release issued by Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup:
Chishiki holds off Kunitate by 0.017s to win Race 1 in Thailand.
Hayato Chishiki is an Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup winner after the Japanese star beat compatriot Waku Kunitate by 0.017s as the duo went head-to-head at the final corner on the final lap in Thailand. Third place went to Bintang Pranata, with the Indonesian coming out on top in a brilliant battle for the podium.
Chishiki was able to break away with just under a third of the race remaining, but Kunitate did well to reel in his countryman to set up a last lap fight for the win. Kunitate left it until Turn 12, the last corner, to make a move. And it nearly worked, but Chishiki managed to power back past on the cutback to clinch the first 25 points of the season.
Pranata finished 2.6s off the win in P3, with Pacharagorn Thonggerdloung and polesitter Haruki Matsuyama narrowly missing out on a rostrum in P4 and P5 in the 2026 curtain-raiser.
Make sure you tune into Race 2 from Buriram on Sunday morning at 09:45 local time!
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Factory Team:
Pedro Acosta and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing won the first Sprint of the 2026 MotoGP season after an enthralling 13-lap race in Thailand. Two KTM RC16s finished in the points with Brad Binder fighting to P6.
Highlights and key moments from Saturday at the Buriram United International Circuit:
Red Bull KTM leads the MotoGP world championship for the first time after Pedro Acosta’s maiden checkered flag at the beginning of his third season in the category
The 21-year-old engaged in a close dispute for victory with Marc Marquez and assumed control of the Sprint into the final corner
Brad Binder started from P11 after making Q2 and crossed the line with a creditable 6th place
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe is the top qualifier from the KTM GP Academy with the 2nd fastest lap in Moto3™ and with the KTM RC4
Pedro Acosta wins Thai MotoGP Sprint Race. Photo courtesy KTM.
For the second year in succession, the 4.5km Chang International Circuit in Buriram brought a new season of MotoGP up to speed. After a hot, cloudy and windy day of Friday practice, the first qualification and race Sprint on Saturday was run in yet more stuffy and overcast tropical conditions.
Pedro Acosta flew to his first career MotoGP Sprint win. The Spaniard started from 6th and the second row of the grid. He then fought for top billing against countryman Marc Marquez. Acosta moved into 1st place three times before a lunge by Marquez into Turn 12 on the penultimate lap then forced the Red Bull KTM man off track. Acosta was able to regain ground on the final circulation and re-inherited P1 when Marquez was obliged to drop one position by FIM Race Stewards. The result stamped Acosta’s eleventh Sprint podium and the fifth in a row, stretching back to round 19 of 2025.
Brad Binder was fast through Practice on Friday to start the year with a positive direct entry to Q2 for Saturday. The South African then took his KTM RC16 to the 11th best lap for the same slot on the grid and an improvement of three places compared to his effort in 2025. Brad battled on the fringe of the top five in the Sprint. His ranking of P6 by the line bettered his P8 from the previous year.
17th in the Sprint for Enea Bastianini. The Italian started from P20 and tried to work on optimization of his race set-up while Maverick Viñales had a harder time understanding the potential of the harder spec tire carcass to handle the searing temperatures. He was 19th.
MotoGP will wind-up for 26-laps tomorrow at 09.00 CET.
Pedro Acosta and the Red Bull KTM Squad at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Pedro Acosta, 6th in qualification, 1st in the Sprint: “Super-happy to start the season like this and for the progress we have made. I was still struggling a bit in the first and second sectors but I was comfortable with the package I had. KTM is working so hard to give me the best bike both now and for the rest of the year. I was happy about the race and being able to battle Marc. I would have done the same overtake! It’s what makes MotoGP exciting and such a nice show for the fans. Let’s see what we can do for the race tomorrow.”
Brad Binder, 11th in qualification, 6th in the Sprint: “A pretty good start and I passed a few guys early on. I felt I had momentum but when the tire pressure comes up then it gets harder to stop, and harder to keep consistent. I had to stay calm and manage the front. The bike felt really good compared to our reference from last year and we’ve done great work so far. We had an issue on my second flying lap in Q2 and I had to use the second bike. It was a bit unfortunate…but I did an even faster time, which shows there is still a bit of extra speed in the pocket. We’ll see if we can get dragged along tomorrow and go a bit quicker.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “A great feeling to start a new season after a hard winter of work as well as preparation in the last weeks and, of course, we’re really happy with the win. This target is always there, even if it was something that maybe we didn’t expect at this track. To have two riders in the top six is a great result for us. We know Pedro’s potential but during this winter I’ve seen a change in him: another step of maturity and he is working so constantly all the time at a high level. Also, really happy for Brad. We made some changes to his working structure and methods at the end of last year and now we start to see the results of this. He’s been very solid and we were targeting that top six. Maverick and Enea have not had the easiest day…but we trust that the boys are coming and the potential is really big there also.”
More from a press release issued by Lenovo Ducati Team:
Marc Márquez and the Ducati Lenovo Team battle for the win in the Thai Sprint for an excellent second-place finish. Francesco Bagnaia finishes in ninth position.
The Ducati Lenovo Team had a starring role in the opening Sprint of the season with Marc Márquez, who was second at the flag at the Chang International Circuit. Francesco Bagnaia wrapped up the encounter in ninth position.
Márquez, from second place on the grid, took the lead at turn one, battling first with Bezzecchi in the opening two laps and then with Acosta. In the closing stages, after an overtaking manoeuvre on his opponent at the end of the penultimate lap, Marc had to drop one position following a penalty from Race Direction. Bagnaia made his way up to eighth from row four, crossing the finish line in ninth place.
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action tomorrow morning at 10:40 local time (GMT +7) for the warm up, followed by the Grand Prix of Thailand, which will be contested over 26 laps from 15:00.
Marc Marquez (93) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 2nd: “It just went this way. The only thing we can do as riders is to adapt to the limit established by Race Direction. It was very hot today and the conditions were tricky, so when Bezzecchi crashed out, I tried to stay in the lead while keeping a pace I deemed safer. I would have liked to push in the final two laps but I almost lost the rear at turn five. I’m still happy with the result: back in January I would have put my signature on nine points in the first Sprint, but then everything changes when you find yourself battling for the win. We’re still not in the perfect place and I need to improve in some areas, and this is why we chose to keep the situation under control today rather than pushing past the limit.”
Francesco Bagnaia (63) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th: “At the moment, I’m not able to perform the way I’d like. It’s my responsibility, as I’m taking longer than I should to adapt to the situation. Surely, things went better in the Sprint compared to the previous session, so we’ll try to use this as a base to keep improving ahead of the race. The conditions should stay the same, meaning very hot but still manageable. The medium tyre option could help us in this regard: still, it’ll be important to get a good start, especially considering our grid position, and try to put ourselves in a condition to attack.”
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Jorge Martin fifth, Marco Bezzecchi out after a crash while leading. Podium for Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse MotoGP Team.
The first sprint of the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand brought mixed fortunes for Aprilia Racing. Starting from fifth on the grid, Jorge Martín came home in fifth after a hard-fought race. For the Spanish rider, this represents his best qualifying position and sprint result with Aprilia Racing. Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position despite a crash without consequences during his final time-attack attempt. This marks Aprilia Racing’s first pole position in a season-opening race and the third consecutive in the top class at Portimão, Valencia and Buriram, both for the Italian rider and for the Noale-based manufacturer. However, Bezzecchi’s sprint came to an early end following a crash on the second lap.
The performances of the Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders were also noteworthy. Raúl Fernández progressed from Q1 to Q2, qualified third and claimed third place in the sprint, while Ai Ogura, who started eighth, finished fourth after a strong recovery ride.
Jorge Martin (89) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Jorge Martin: “The sprint went well. I got off to a good start and also had a great battle with Raúl. After a few laps, I had to slow down because I wanted to manage things, but fifth place is still a good result. I am pleased with the solidity and consistency I am showing this weekend and I am optimistic ahead of the main race.”
Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I made a mistake, unfortunately. I tried to tighten my line a bit more and touched the inside white line, which caused an initial front-end tuck. Then, when I opened the throttle to try to lift the bike, the front tucked completely and I slid off. A pity.”
Fabiano Sterlacchini: “Since Friday, all our riders have been strong and we have shown great consistency. Right from the start of the season, the project has shown clear progress in the areas where we were previously weaker. Overall, it was an extremely positive day; it’s a shame about Marco, but these situations are part of our job and won’t discourage us.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Foundations laid with productive double top ten Saturday in Buriram.
Honda HRC Castrol made yet more progress during an electric Saturday at the Chang International Circuit, Joan Mir battling into seventh and Luca Marini avoiding incidents around him to recover to tenth.
Back to the typical conditions expected of the Thai GP, hot conditions saw lap times tumble in the build-up to the very first Sprint of the year. Excitement was palpable and built throughout the day as the return of racing steadily grew closer and closer.
Joan Mir took full advantage of his strong Friday to start tenth on the grid for the Sprint, immediately making progress forward with a trademark aggressive start. The first race of the year saw several ambitious moves into the opening corners, leaving the #36 with ample space to advance further. Settling into the rhythm of the race, he’d battle with Brad Binder until the closing laps and taking seventh place. This is an improvement of two places over his 2025 Thai Sprint result.
Lining up in 14th on the grid after late yellow flags in Q1, Luca Marini took a wide line into the first corner and quickly progressed into the top ten. Fighting hard with Bagnaia on the factory Ducati, the #10 was able to maintain his early gains and cross the line in tenth with a comfortable margin over Alex Marquez. This marks an improvement of five places over his 2025 Thai Sprint result.
Honda HRC’s engineers have one more evening to assess the data and make final adjustments before the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix arrives and another MotoGP World Championship season continues on at pace.
Joan Mir (36) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Joan Mir:“I am satisfied with the job we’ve done today, it is what we were missing last year – getting a solid result in races where we can’t be fighting deep in the top five. It’s what will make the difference at the end of the year. At the start of the weekend, I said that it would be tough and we have been working a lot to improve our situation. In the long race on Sunday, I think we will be stronger. It’s important to have a race like this at the start of the year so we can map our progress well and not lose our way.”
Luca Marini (10) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini:“We had to work hard to stay inside the top ten today after gaining some positions at the start. There are still some things to improve on the bike, certainly we have made some steps forward but in the race, you can see that still there is some margin between us and the others. Today’s heat made the front tyre very critical, even with the big improvements we made to the braking area it meant we had to be very careful, and we lost one of our strengths. There are still new things we are trying, still finding new improvements and still planning for more in the future. It’s the first race and we are pleased with this first Saturday.”
More from a press release issued by Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team:
First points of the season for Di Giannantonio in Buriram Sprint.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secures two points in the Sprint of the Thailand GP thanks to Fabio Di Giannantonio’s eighth-place. Franco Morbidelli is fourteenth.
The Sprint of the Thailand GP kicked off the 2026 MotoGP season, and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team showed solid performance despite a challenging race. Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed his first two championship points with a comeback ride to eighth place, while Franco Morbidelli crossed the line in fourteenth position.
After a strong qualifying session, Di Giannantonio started from the fourth position on the grid (1’28”918). With an excellent start, Fabio immediately joined the fight for the Top3, but a contact in the early stages of the race dropped him in the back group, forcing him to set a comeback. The rider from Rome showed a strong pace, managing to cross the Sprint finish line in eighth position and scoring his first points of the year. Di Giannantonio heads into Sunday’s race eighth in the World Standings.
It was a more complicated Sprint for Morbidelli, who started from the third row (1’29”321) after progressing through Q1 in a solid qualifying performance. The very high temperatures in the pack battle affected Franco’s Sprint, but he defended well and managed to bring his bike to the finish line with great determination. The Italian-Brazilian rider ended the first Sprint of the year in fourteenth place, holding the same position in the World Standings.
The Thailand Grand Prix, which opens the 2026 MotoGP season, will conclude tomorrow with the main race, scheduled to start at 3:00 pm local time (+6 CET).
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “We’ve had a great weekend so far. I feel strong, we had a good Qualifying and we also showed an excellent pace. In the Sprint, in the first corners I was in my position, I braked on my line, but I heard the noise of another rider coming towards me. I had to pick the bike up to avoid a crash, and we went wide. During the race, even though we were in the back group with a lot of heat, I was very fast and managed to fight back. I was quicker than the riders with me. It’s difficult to do more in the Sprint because it’s shorter and it was really very hot. But we have a great package and huge potential, I’m convinced we can put on a great show tomorrow, because now it’s not enough for me to have a good race, I want more. The Sprint is behind us, we’re already thinking about Sunday and the goal will be to enjoy it and do well.”
Franco Morbidelli (21) and Enea Bastianini (23) during the Sprint Race at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
Franco Morbidelli: “It was a half-positive Saturday, because this morning in Qualifying we managed to do a great time attack to get through Q1, and we know how complicated that is. With that lap time, we would have started from the second row. About the Sprint, I didn’t make a good start, I had many bikes in front of me and the temperature was extremely high. I couldn’t brake the way I wanted. It’s not ideal, but I managed to ride in the 1’31”. It was interesting to watch. But when it’s like that, it becomes impossible to ride, so the goal was to bring the bike to the finish line. For tomorrow, with this heat it will be complicated, but we will give our maximum.”
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini Team:
Alex out of the top 10 after a tough start.
SPRINT:
ALEX MARQUEZ 11th
MICHELE PIRRO 21st
Alex Marquez (73) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Gresini Team.
Alex Marquez: “It’s a shame because I had a very good start today. Unfortunately, under braking there was contact with Diggia, who tried to attack from the outside, and I had no options. From that moment on, I focused on my riding and overtaking, and I found a good rhythm. We definitely made a nice step forward in the sprint, and tomorrow we have a good chance to be among the protagonists. Today we could have been in the top four or five, and that will be the goal for tomorrow.”
Michele Pirro on the grid of the Sprint race. Photo courtesy Gresini.
Michele Pirro: “We completed the sprint, even though I was hoping for more consistency in the lap times. I wasn’t that far from the group ahead of me, but I made a few small mistakes. We need to — and we can — make another step forward tomorrow as well, and thanks to the team who are doing a great job. Of course, the heat isn’t helping us perform at our best.”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco finished 12th in Saturday’s Sprint at Buriram.
From his 12th-place grid position, the Frenchman made a strong start and gained positions.
Early in the race, he went wide, which complicated the following laps and prevented him from reaching the points.
The data gathered today is vital for preparing the optimal strategy ahead of tomorrow’s race, as tyre degradation and temperatures will be crucial factors in the Thai race.
The positive takeaway from today is that Johann acknowledges there is untapped potential, and the situation is significantly improved compared to a few months ago.
Johann Zarco (5) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda LCR.
Johann Zarco – 12th:“It’s hard to fight and not score points. The start was good; we did a solid job, but then I went wide, lost positions, and from that point, I struggled a bit in different areas. I was able to maintain consistency and had a good pace, but I lost time when fighting with riders and trying to overtake. I tried to handle the situation. We are working hard in some areas to improve things for tomorrow’s race. Even though we didn’t score points today, the bigger picture looks better, and we’re getting closer. We just need to keep working.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished his first-ever MotoGP Sprint in 13th position.
Starting from 15th on the grid, Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira delivered a strong performance on Thai soil.
The rider acknowledged the significant speed and high level of competition among his rivals, recognizing that each new step is part of his ongoing learning process.
Both the rider and the crew concluded the Sprint feeling satisfied and motivated for the journey ahead. As this was his first Sprint, Moreira demonstrated a solid performance, marking only the beginning of his progression!
Diogo Moreira (11) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda LCR.
Diogo Moreira – 13th:“I’m satisfied; I enjoyed the Sprint and learned throughout all the laps. I’d say overall, it was a positive experience. Everyone is so fast, and it’s difficult to grasp the speed. Everyone was pushing, and at the beginning, I was tense until I gained confidence. We managed well overall, and we’ll see tomorrow!”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Determined Charge from Miller and Razgatlıoğlu in Season-Opening Thai Sprint.
In the 13-lap Sprint Race that officially launched the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu delivered a determined performance at the Chang International Circuit, battling within the pack and maintaining a pace close to the front group despite the ongoing development phase of the project.
Gino Borsoi: “All things considered, it was a very good Sprint race for both riders.
It’s a shame about Toprak’s crash, because his pace — like Jack’s — was very competitive. He was able to stay within around one second per lap of the front group, and for his first MotoGP Sprint that’s an exceptional level.
Both riders showed strong determination and maintained solid race pace throughout. If we can replicate this level of performance tomorrow over full race distance, it would complete a very positive weekend for us.”
Jack Miller (43) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Pramac Yamaha.
Jack Miller: “I felt good and the pace was decent throughout the race. I didn’t make any mistakes — I just focused on logging laps, gathering data and doing the best we could. I had Diogo in front of me and I was pushing hard to stay with him. It’s frustrating when we hit the long straights because that‘s where we‘re still lacking the most in terms of top speed. Still, I feel we‘ve made a step forward compared to the long runs we did here last week. It’s only the first race weekend for a brand-new bike, so we knew this wouldn‘t be our ideal track, but I believe in myself and in the Yamaha engineers. We‘re moving in the right direction.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu talking with Alex Rins (left) on the MotoGP Sprint race grid. Photo courtesy Pramac Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu:“I tried to follow Jack and I could see there were areas where I was able to close the gap and others where he was clearly faster, so it was good to understand where I need to improve. Overall we did a good job, even though the crash was a shame because it could have been an even better result. Tomorrow will be a long and demanding race, probably even more difficult than today, but my focus will be to stay relaxed and ride to the best of my ability. I want to keep improving my feeling with the bike and concentrate on the positives. Starting from a difficult qualifying position, our pace was similar to the group around us, and the fact that we still have so much room for improvement makes me optimistic”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Riders Experience First 2026 Racing Action in Thailand Sprint.
Today’s Grand Prix of Thailand Sprint gave MotoGP fans the first racing action of the 2026 season. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo lost some ground in the early stages but recovered to P16 in the final laps. Álex Rins was running in P16 for the majority of the 13 laps, but the order was reshuffled in the last lap. He crossed the finish line in P18.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team got a first taste of 2026 MotoGP racing action in today’s Grand Prix of Thailand Sprint. Fabio Quartararo had a difficult opening lap, but he recovered to P16 in the final two laps. Álex Rins had a solid start but lost some positions in the end and wrapped up the 13-lap dash in 18th.
Quartararo started from P16 but struggled to get off the mark and was riding in 19th position after the first lap. The Frenchman was able to make up ground in the latter stages. As Toprak Razgatlıoğlu dropped down the order two laps before the end, El Diablo was on the move. He kept his head down and gained two further positions when he overtook Rins and Enea Bastianini on the final lap to end the Sprint in 16th place.
Rins made progress in the first lap. Commencing the Sprint from P19, he got up to P16 and held the position for the majority of the ride. The Spaniard was chasing fellow Yamaha riders Jack Miller and Razgatlıoğlu. With three laps to go, the latter took a fall, and Franco Morbidell got through on Rins. It meant the number-42 remained in 16th place until a duel on the final lap ultimately resulted in the Yamaha man taking the chequered flag in P18.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will be back in action tomorrow for Warm Up, held from 10:40-10:50 GMT +7, and the 26-lap Race, which starts at 15:00.
Fabio Quartararo (20) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo:“We are struggling with the start here. I was in last place after the first corner, and when you’re at the back it’s difficult to overtake. I know that I struggle a bit more with the pace when I’m in a group because I make the difference on corner entry. In a practice session you can ride alone and in a different way. With people ahead of you it’s completely different, and that’s why in a race it is always more difficult.”
Alex Rins (42) on the MotoGP Sprint race grid. Photo courtesy Yamha.
Alex Rins:“It was as difficult as I expected. It was really tough on track in this heat. I’m quite happy about my start: I was able to recover some positions. It was my best start with this bike so far. It was kind of great. But it was difficult to overtake. On the last lap, I was trying to defend my position from Bastianini. When we arrived in the braking area of corner 3, it was like ‘Let’s see who brakes later’, but we both went wide. Then Fabio overtook us, and we finished like this.”
Massimo Meregalli – Team Director:“We knew that this first Sprint race was going to be very difficult. This is expected when you start a completely new project in a championship as competitive as MotoGP. Our team got two completely different stories: Fabio struggled at the start but gained some positions at the end, while Alex moved up the order in the early stages but lost some places in the final lap. The most important thing now is to carefully check our acquired qualifying and race data with the new bike – which are different from testing and practice sessions – so we can start developing accordingly. We expect tomorrow’s Race to be tough: 26 laps in this heat is a challenge for both man and machine, but it will again be a useful source of information for us.”
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
Red Bull KTM Tech3 faced a demanding 13-lap Tissot Sprint at the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship, with both riders fighting hard in scorching track conditions at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram.
After a difficult Q1 left him 20th on the grid, Enea Bastianini delivered a steady ride to finish 17th in the Sprint. Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales, who started from 17th, dropped to 19th after running wide in the opening corner.
Qualifying
Both Red Bull KTM Tech3 riders showed solid pace from the outset in Q1. Bastianini slotted into eighth on his first push, while Viñales placed himself just ahead in P7.
As the session unfolded, the Tech3 team-mates briefly swapped positions on the leaderboard, underlining how evenly matched they were in the heat of the battle. On his last flying lap, Top Gun delivered his best effort of the session to cement 17th on the grid overall, while Bastianini dropped down to 20th.
Raúl Fernández and Franco Morbidelli claimed the coveted top-two spots for promotion to Q2, and the former would go on to take third behind Marc Marquez in P2 and Marco Bezzecchi on pole by just 0.035s.
Sprint
It was a bruising opening Sprint of the season for Viñales. Tucked towards the back of the pack in the opening exchanges, the Spaniard ran off at the first corner and immediately found himself on the back foot.
Dropping to 21st, Top Gun struggled to recover momentum in the short-format contest. Although he was able to make up a position before the chequered flag, Viñales ultimately crossed the line in 20th, salvaging what he could from a difficult outing.
Starting from 20th, Bastianini quietly pieced together a more progressive Sprint. The Italian worked his way up to 18th during the race, showing flashes of pace as others faltered. The Beast’s top speed was the sixth fastest of the race as he crossed the line in 17th.
Two crashes ahead – most notably from pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi – helped shuffle the order and move the Tech3 riders forward. Further up the field, a dramatic clash between Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta ended with a penalty for Márquez – a decision that secured the KTM rider his maiden Sprint win.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 will be back tomorrow for the main event of the Grand Prix of Thailand, which will kick off at 15:00 (UTC+7) for 26 action-packed laps as the #12 and #23 bikes push to climb the order.
Maverick Viñales (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Maverick Viñales: “Honestly, I have no words – today has been a tough day. At the moment it’s not coming together for us — especially over one lap and in the Sprint — and that makes it hard to fight the way we want to. The potential is there — we’ve seen that — but we need to make it consistent and give me a package that allows me to push and race properly. Tomorrow is another opportunity to take a step.”
Enea Bastianini (23) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Enea Bastianini:“It was a challenging day. From yesterday to today the feeling changed quite a lot, especially in the hotter conditions, and that made it difficult to stop the bike and find rear grip. We know we can do better than this, but right now we need to understand clearly where the limitation is. The focus is to stay calm, work through the data and improve step by step. It’s only the first weekend of the season, and we have time to react.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager:“Today’s result is clearly not the way the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team wanted to launch its 2026 campaign. This morning was somewhat disappointing – the target over the winter was to improve our Qualifying performance, and unfortunately, we did not achieve that, with 17th position for Viñales and 20th on the grid for Bastianini. Starting that far back makes it extremely difficult to fight for the positions we are targeting. The Sprint result is therefore a disappointment and clearly below our expectations, especially when you see Pedro Acosta winning on the same bike. The only thing we can do now is keep our heads down and continue working – the bike has the potential for much more than what we showed today.”
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Triumph unveils the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026 at the opening round of Moto2™ in Thailand; the #001 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a bespoke yoke engraving.
• Fans can vote for their favorite rider each round and enter a free prize draw to win their own #765 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a matching engraving.
• In preparation for the 2027 season, Triumph will begin testing 100% nonfossil fuels in the Moto2TM engines, assessing performance and durability.
On the eve of the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 MotoGP™ season, Triumph Motorcycles and MotoGP have pulled the covers off two exclusive Limited Edition prize bikes that will be awarded through year’s Triumph Triple Trophy competition.
The #001 Triumph Street Triple 765 Moto2™ Edition model will be awarded to the rider who delivers the most stand-out performances in Moto2 this season, as voted for by the fans. In addition, one lucky Triumph and Moto2™ fan will win the #765 model in a free prize draw for the 2026 season. With only 1,000 motorcycles being produced worldwide, the Moto2™ Edition features carbon fiber components, and these two bikes will feature an individually numbered and personalized billet-machined top yoke, making this prize even more exclusive.
At the official press conference at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent also outlined the next steps in Triumph’s sustainable fuel development program, ahead of the 2027 Moto2™ season when, regulations will mandate the use of 100% non-fossil fuels. Following successful durability testing with 40% non-fossil fuels last year, Triumph has now completed the majority of engine mapping and optimization work required to begin the next phase of testing. Throughout this year, Triumph and Moto2™ will evaluate samples of 100% non-fossil fuels for both performance and durability.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles said: “Powering the Moto2™ World Championship over the past seven years has been a journey. From the first race in Qatar in 2019, we haven’t stopped working to develop the Moto2™ project. Together, we have completed 1,781,698 kms in the Moto2™ World Championship and all that mileage helps us to develop and introduce updates to further benefit on-track performance. Alongside improving performance, we are also committed to supporting the development of a sustainable future for motorcycling and motorcycle sport. So, as the championship moves toward 100% non-fossil fuels, we will be using samples of 100% non-fossil fuels to test performance and durability during this season.”
Sargent continued, “The Triumph Triple Trophy competition is also proving to be increasingly popular with fans and riders. With a record number of votes last year and thousands of fans entering the competition from around the world, we wanted to create a Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike that was another step closer to the Moto2™ World Championship machine. That’s why we’re giving riders and fans the chance to win a highly exclusive Moto2TM Limited Edition Street Triple 765. Customized with specially engraved yokes, the riders will be fighting on the track for the #001 motorcycle, while the fans will be entering for their chance to take home the #765 model.”
Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director: “The Triumph Triple Trophy is a great way to connect with fans around the world, and it makes sure they feel part of the competition. Moto2™ continues to deliver exciting action, and we know that 2026 will be no different. It was amazing to see so many fans engage with the 2025 season, and congratulations to Mr. Ma from China who took home their own Triumph Triple Trophy bike. This year, it’s exciting to see these Moto2™ Edition models selected as the grand prize which makes the 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy even more special for the riders and fans to be involved in.”
Triumph Triple Trophy victor and 2025 Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira with his Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike. Photo courtesy Triumph.
RECOGNIZING STANDOUT PERFORMANCES SINCE 2020
Running alongside the Moto2™ World Championship, the Triumph Triple Trophy has celebrated standout performances since 2020, recognizing that there are more success stories during a Grand Prix weekend than just the race win. The inaugural Triumph Triple Trophy was won by Marco Bezzecchi in 2020, with Raul Fernandez in 2021, Jeremy Alcoba in 2022, Pedro Acosta in 2023, Ai Ogura in 2024, and Diogo Moreira in 2025 adding their names to the winners list.
Moreira, who was also crowned the Moto2™ World Champion, earned the most fan votes during the 2025 season and was declared the Triumph Triple Trophy winner after securing the decisive votes in the penultimate round at Portimão. He collected his Street Triple 765 RS the following week in Valencia.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
FINDING THE TRIUMPH TRIPLE TROPHY WINNER
On the Sunday of each Grand Prix weekend, three Moto2™ riders will be shortlisted by a judging panel made up of representatives from MotoGP and Triumph for their standout performances on track. Fans can then vote for their chosen rider through the official MotoGP™ Instagram channel, and each rider will receive points based on the number of votes cast.
In reference to Triumph’s 765cc engine, points at each GP are awarded as follows:
• 7 points for the rider with the most fan votes
• 6 points for the rider with the second most fan votes
• 5 points for the rider with the third most fan votes
Once voting closes, the final order of the three shortlisted riders is confirmed, and the leaderboard is updated after each round.
For the second year in a row, fans can also register to win their own Triumph Triple Trophy motorcycle through a free prize draw on the Triumph Motorcycles website. A simple entry form provides the chance to win, and last year the prize was awarded to a fan in China.
The 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy begins on Sunday, March 1, following the season opener at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, when the competition goes live and fans can vote and enter for the first time this season.
Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
TWO WINNERS, TWO PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLES
The two winners will each receive a highly exclusive Street Triple Moto2™ Edition, featuring the 765cc triple engine derived from the Moto2™ race platform. The #001 motorcycle is reserved for the winning Moto2™ rider, while number 765 will be presented to a fan at the end of the season.
This circuit-bred model includes premium race-inspired details such as carbon fiber side panels, a carbon fiber front mudguard, belly pan, and a carbon fiber silencer end cap that delivers a lightweight, high-tech finish. It features a bold Moto2™-embossed seat with a dimpled pattern for improved grip, a clear-lens rear light, and a laser-etched Moto2™ logo on the silencer. The striking Mineral Grey and Crystal White color scheme is paired with a vibrant Triumph Performance Yellow rear subframe and a matching rear wheel stripe for a distinctive race-bred look.
Each bike is individually numbered on a billet-machined top yoke, which also carries Moto2™ branding, positioned alongside a TFT display featuring a Moto2™ branded start-up screen. This will be enhanced with a personalized engraving and Triumph Triple Trophy branding, reinforcing its unique, limitededition status and collector appeal.
Follow to vote for your favorite rider and enter the free prize draw for a chance to win the Triumph Triple Trophy 2026 motorcycle.
Find out more about Triumph’s Street Triple 765 RS, RX and Moto2 Edition at triumphmotorcycles.com.
Bodie Paige (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige's social media.
In the second race of the Moto4 Asia Cup at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, 15-year-old MotoAmerica Twins Cup racer Bodie Paige finished 9th, taking the checkered flag 3.419 seconds behind the race winner.
Bodie Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige’s social media.
His 14-year-old younger brother Jake Paige, who will be racing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup this season, crossed the finish line 17th, ending the race 31.587 seconds off the lead at Chang International Circuit.
Jake Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Jake Paige’s social media.
Bodie Paige is currently 12th in the Moto4 Asia Cup Championship standings with 11 points after the Thailand round, while Jake Paige is 20th overall with 0 points.
More from a press release issued by Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup:
Chishiki doubles up as podium fight goes to final corner. The Japanese star makes it two wins from two in Buriram as Irfan and Togashi clinch maiden podiums in the class.
Hayato Chishiki claimed a maximum 50 points from the opening weekend of Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup action in Thailand thanks to his classy Race 2 victory on Sunday morning. The Japanese rider rode clear of the chasers to earn a second win in the class by over two seconds, as Qabil Irfan and Kotaro Togashi clinched their first podiums in P2 and P3.
In the latter stages of the 15-lap race, Chishiki pulled the pin at the front and unlike in Race 1 where Waku Kunitate went with the #16, no one was able to tag onto the back of the eventual race winner. However, the fight for the final podium spots went right down to the wire. Irfan eventually won that particular battle by 0.127s over Togashi, as both the Malaysian and Japanese rising stars celebrate their first Moto4 Asia Cup rostrums.
Kunitate ended Race 2 in P4 to collect a good haul of points from Round 1, while Bintang Pranata eventually settled for P5 after the Indonesian was demoted one position after the chequered flag for irresponsible riding on the final lap.
What a start to the season then in Thailand! Next up, we rejoin the MotoGP paddock at the Qatar Grand Prix in April for Round 2, where we can expect more of the same epic racing.
Want to watch the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup race 2 ? Click HERE !
The most unique setting in Monster Energy Supercross welcomed a
massive crowd to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway
for the 56th running of the Daytona Supercross. Photo courtesy SMX
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It was a historic night inside The World Center of Racing for Round 8 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac cemented his place atop the all-time greatest racers at Daytona International Speedway with a record breaking eighth Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship win at the iconic venue. The Colorado native broke a three-year tie with NASCAR legend Richard Petty, owner of seven Daytona 500 victories, to become the most decorated athlete of the speedway’s celebrated 67-year history.
Eli Tomac Becomes Most Decorated Racer in Daytona International Speedway History with Eighth Monster Energy Supercross Victory at Iconic Venue.
It wasn’t an easy path to victory for Tomac, as he began the 450SMX Class Main Event in fourth, behind each of his primary competitors in the championship. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence, last week’s winner and current points leader, opened the 20 Minute + 1 Lap race with the holeshot, but was quickly passed by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion, slotted into third ahead of Tomac, which set the stage for a thrilling battle between the best in the class. As Roczen and Lawrence settled in out front, Tomac started his pursuit of the lead with an early pass on Webb for third. The top three continuously searched for faster lines on the ever-changing rutty, technical, sandy racetrack and sat within 1.5 seconds of one another with around 14 minutes remaining.
As the race approached the halfway point Tomac elected to make his push and took advantage of a couple sections on the track where he excelled to attack his rivals. He first made an assertive pass on Lawrence for second and on the ensuing lap railed the outside of an option lane to shoot past Roczen as they sprinted to the finish line jump. Tomac seized control of the lead with about 12:30 left on the race clock and quickly opened up a multi-second margin. Roczen held strong in second until the race closed in on the final five minutes, when Lawrence’s patience and persistence paid off and allowed the Australian to take over second. About three seconds separated Tomac from Lawrence, but the championship leader was unable to make significant inroads on his deficit as the race drew to a close.
Tomac was never challenged once he moved into the lead and carried on to take his fourth win of the season and the 57th victory of his career by 1.3 seconds over Lawrence. Roczen finished in a distant third while Webb was largely on his own en route to fourth, with Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy in fifth.
Tomac closed to within a single point of Lawrence in the championship standings, while Roczen and Webb now sit tied for third, 20 points out of the lead.
The fourth win of the season for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made him one of the most transcendent figures in motorsports history at Daytona with eight victories at the iconic speedway. Photo courtesy SMX
Eli Tomac – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“[The wins] are all awesome, but somehow, I’ve won eight of these. I don’t want to think about how old I am. I just go out there and roost the berms like I’m at my home track [in Colorado]. I love this dirt and just love how this track develops. Of course, I had to work for it there and went through all my main competition. I just had a great time on my motorcycle and happy to make up points this weekend.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence maintained his hold of the championship points lead with his fifth runner-up finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It was a tough [Main Event] on a really tough track. I was figuring out where to compensate with the bike and it just took me too long to do that. In the end I was kind of making it work, but it was too late and Eli [Tomac] got his eighth win here. I really wanted to stop that tonight, but I couldn’t make up the difference.”
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen led early on for the second week in a row and recorded his fifth podium result of the year. Photo courtesy SMX
Ken Roczen – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“I gave it my best out there and led for a bunch. I had a really good start too and in the Main Event that really counts. I was searching a little bit in the beginning, it was a tricky track and a lot faster than what we’ve seen the past few years here. Once I got passed, I knew those guys were maybe a little bit faster, so I tried to hang on and follow some lines. I was right there until the end and just got messed up by some lappers and those guys got away a little bit. I just wasn’t the best tonight, but I’m happy with a podium.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker Goes Wire-to-Wire for Dominant 250SMX Class Win
The second race of the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship featured an impressive showing from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who entered the night show banged up from a hard crash in afternoon qualifying. The Pennsylvania native was able to secure the holeshot over Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda and established a firm grasp on the lead from the outset of the 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event. Behind them was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Drew Adams, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown, the opening round winner and points leader.
As Hammaker and Shimoda asserted themselves out front, Adams continued what was turning into a breakout night with a pass for third. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was making moves as the fastest rider on the track. The New Zealander made an impressive climb from ninth off the start to pass both his teammates and move into fourth. He then set his sights on Adams and successfully made the pass for third with six minutes to go. Not long after that Adams crashed out of the race, which allowed Brown to assume fourth.
With just over a minute remaining Shimoda went down in the sand section as he simultaneously looked to close in on Hammaker and fend off Davies. The defending SMX World Champion remounted quickly, but not before Davies and Brown got by for second and third. Hammaker completed a dominant wire-to-wire effort by a margin of 4.2 seconds over Davies, while Brown rounded out the podium. Shimoda was forced to settle for fourth, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Daxton Bennick in fifth.
Hammaker’s fourth career win ended a reign of dominance for the Star Yamaha effort, which had won every 250SMX Class race of the season up to that point. The Kawasaki rider’s victory moved him into second in the Eastern Divisional standings, where he is now two points behind Brown for the lead. Shimoda dropped to third, five points back.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker dominated the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event with a wire-to-wire performance. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It feels unreal [to win at Daytona]. I had a big crash in qualifying, and I feel like it really tests you mentally how you come back from that. I’m proud of the effort tonight and the team crushed it. It’s super cool to get a win at Daytona. It’s an unreal feeling. Really good to get this win and keep the momentum rolling.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) made an impressive climb from ninth to second for his first podium finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX.
Cole Davies – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“They didn’t prep the gates all day, so I didn’t get good traction out the gate and was buried off the start. It was a good comeback. I did what I could. I wanted that win, but still a good ride.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown maintained his hold of the points lead with a third-place effort. Photo courtesy SMX.
Pierce Brown – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It was a battle. Not the best start. I took a gamble with my gate, and we chose the wrong one. It happens. We battled and were there late when other riders made mistakes to salvage a third. I can’t be too mad about it. We’re in good shape [in points] and will keep doing our thing.”
Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right) Cole Davies, Seth Hammaker, and Pierce Brown. Photo courtesy SMX
Daytona also signified the third race of SMX Next – Supercross, which featured 22 of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross. Two different winners stood atop the podium through the first two races and that trend continued as a third different up-and-coming racer claimed victory at Daytona. Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno opened the 8 Minute + 1 Lap with the holeshot and led early before he gave way to Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson. Denno fought back to reclaim the lead after just a lap and carried on to become the third different SMX Next winner in as many races. It was the first SMX Next victory for the 17-year-old Texan as well as the first for the budding Triumph amateur program. He took the checkered flag 4.4 seconds ahead of 18-year-old Landen Gordon, who rides for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, while 16-year-old Vincent Wey rounded out the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green.
Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno became the third different prospect to emerge victorious in SMX Next – Supercross competition this season. Photo courtesy SMX
Deacon Denno – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross:
“I got the start but then jumped the whoops for the first time after skimming all day and lost the lead. It was a dumb move by me, but I made the pass back. Last year here in Daytona I finished 14th. There’s a lot that’s been done since then and just proves that if you work your butt off you can be up here like I am. I knew I could do it and I put the track together. I’m so stoked.”
SMX Next – Supercross Podium (left to right) Landen Gordon, Deacon Denno, and Vincent Wey. Photo courtesy SMX
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 7, for the ninth race of the season from Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, which will signify the second Triple Crown race of the 2026 season. 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 Pea cock 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 race start at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Marco Bezzecchi won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 26-lap race by over five seconds.
Sprint race winner, Pedro Acosta was the runner-up on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.
Raul Fernandez placed third on his Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.
Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin, finished fourth, and Fernandez’s teammate, Ai Ogura, completed the top five.
Pedro Acosta leads the championship with 32 points, 7 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi who has 25 points. Raul Fernandez is third with 23 points.
Bezzecchi bounces back with victory as Marc Marquez suffers Thailand DNF. The Aprilia star beats Acosta and Fernandez to Round 1 glory as a rear tyre puncture ends the reigning World Champion’s podium hopes in Buriram.
Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing are hat-trick heroes in MotoGP for the first time after the Italian dominates a dramatic PT Grand Prix of Thailand to back up his 2025 Portugal and Valencia victories with a Buriram beauty at the beginning of 2026. Tissot Sprint winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished P2 to make sure he leaves Thailand as the MotoGP World Championship leader, as Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) begins the year with a P3 in a Grand Prix which saw reigning World Champion Marc Marquez suffer a race-ending puncture while in the podium fight. And that means Ducati’s unbelievable record-breaking podium streak of 88 in a row is over – for the first time since the 2021 British GP, no Ducati rider stood on the Sunday rostrum.
BEZ GETS THE LAUNCH, MM93 UNDER ATTACK
After an incredible Tissot Sprint on Saturday, it was time for lights out on Sunday and getting the perfect launch from pole was Bezzecchi, with Marc Marquez keeping hold of P2. But not for long. Turn 7 saw Fernandez pinch P2 away from the reigning World Champion and then, a third Aprilia was having a bite at #93. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) was briefly ahead of the 2025 World Champion, but the latter bit back.
Bezzecchi was into a great early Grand Prix rhythm at the front, with Fernandez 0.9s away at the end of Lap 3. Then, attacking down at Turn 3 on Lap 4, Martin struck again. Marc Marquez was shuffled back to P4 by the 2024 World Champion, and then, Acosta entered the battle.
ACOSTA VS MARTIN VS MARC MARQUEZ
Turn 12. #93 vs #37. Shades of a memorable Sprint scrap. Acosta made a move up the inside stick to climb into fourth, with Marc Marquez down to P5 and as things stood, the current King had zero answers.
As Bezzecchi and Fernandez continued to set a similar pace in P1 and P2, we strapped ourselves in to enjoy Martin vs Acosta. The KTM star had several bites at the cherry on Lap 8 and 9, but Aprilia’s #89 was defending brilliantly.
Then, Acosta did find a way through on Martin. On the exit of a move at Turn 3, Acosta was through but getting a Lap 10 two-for-one deal on the run up to Turn 4 was Marc Marquez. But Acosta wasn’t having any of that. The pre-Grand Prix title leader chose Turn 8 to attack his compatriot, and it was a leap up the inside that worked. Acosta, eventually, was P3.
PODIUM CHASE ON AS DRAMA BEGINS TO UNFOLD
Now though, by Lap 14, the gap to second place Fernandez and leader Bezzecchi had grown. However, Acosta was beginning to catch the Trackhouse Aprilia, with the gap just below two seconds as the Grand Prix entered its final 10 laps.
Behind, Marc Marquez sat 1.4s away from Acosta, with Martin sitting 0.8s back of the leading Ducati. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was over three seconds up the road and in relative cruise control. It was the Italian’s 25 points to throw away at this stage.
With seven to go, Fernandez’s grip on P2 was loosening. Acosta was now under a second away from the #25, and Marc Marquez was lurking too. Until he wasn’t. As we panned back to watch Fernandez, Acosta and Marc Marquez come through Turn 4, it was clear the latter had a problem. And it became obvious it was a rear tyre puncture. Drama in Buriram, the reigning World Champion was out of the Thai Grand Prix.
Then, last year’s runner-up was out too. Alex Marquez crashed at the rapid Turn 4, thankfully the #73 was up and walking, but that ended a disappointing weekend at the office for the Gresini Racing star.
More drama then occurred. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) was forced to retire from the Grand Prix with rear tyre problems too after the 2020 World Champion had strung a very strong race together in the top six, and all of a sudden, there were four Aprilias in the top five, with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) showing some aggressive late pace.
And so, after a punishing Thai Grand Prix, Bezzecchi made amends for his Sprint error to clinch victory on Sunday and win three Grands Prix in a row for the first time. Acosta’s wait for a Grand Prix win goes on, but that was another sublime performance from the KTM star, who will head to Brazil as the MotoGP World Championship leader. And fair play to Fernandez. After some serious shoulder troubles surfaced in Warm Up, the Spaniard celebrates another P3 to grab a double Round 1 podium.
YOUR POINTS SCORERS IN THAILAND
Having missed the Sepang Test and considering what he went through in 2025, Martin will be elated to start the campaign with P4, with the very impressive #89 finished three tenths ahead of Ogura. The Japanese rider recovers to round out the top five, with the lead Ducati rider over the line being Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in P6.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) hands KTM a double top seven finish in P7, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) leaves it late – the final corner of the final lap to be precise – to pocket P8 from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). It’s P9 on Sunday for the 2022 and 2023 MotoGP World Champion, as Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) completed the top 10.
Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were P11 and P12 across the line, with rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) pocketing points on debut with a P13 ahead of the Brazilian’s home round next. Rounding out the points-paying positions were Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP duo Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.
THANK YOU, THAILAND
Round 1 = completed. What a start to the year that was in MotoGP, as Acosta heads to Brazil as the World Championship leader after a drama-filled opening chapter. Boy, it’s good to be back.
Moto2 race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Marc VDS Team.
Manuel Gonzalez won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard won the 7-lap race by 0.099 second.
The race was halted twice by red flags after early incidents at the Chang International Circuit. An initial crash on lap 3 involving Senna Agius, David Alonso and Filip Salac brought out the first red flag. After the restart, a second incident involving Sergio Garcia and Luca Lunetta triggered another red flag and led to a full reset.
Izan Guevara was the runner-up on his Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
Daniel Holgado was third on his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex.
Ivan Ortola finished fourth on his QJMotor Pons Grup MSi Kalex and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer took fifth.
American Joe Roberts crashed his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Manuel Gonzalez leads the championship with 25 points, 5 ahead of Izan Guevara who has 20 points. Daniel Holgado is third with 16 points.
Gonzalez denies Guevara in tense stand-off for Buriram glory. Two red flags and a head-to-head finish but even with the same victor as 12 months ago, there were plenty of talking points in Moto2.
A dramatic start to the Moto2 season saw two red flags at Buriram before a tense final two laps welcomed a head-to-head battle between Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Izan Guevera (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2). Last year’s runner-up took gold in the opening encounter ahead of Guevara, whilst Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) took third.
Manuel Gonzalez on the podium at Buriram. Photo courtesy Pirelli.
From P2 on the grid, it was a perfect start for Guevara as he grabbed Moto2’s first holeshot of 2026. He didn’t hold the lead for long though as he ran wide at Turn 3 along with polesitter Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – PONT GRUP – MSI), allowing Holgado into P1 from fourth. However, on Lap 3, an incident at Turn 9 involving Agius, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team) brought out the red flag. Alonso was taken to the medical centre with arm pain whilst Agius and Salac could take the restart from pitlane.
With the distance reduced to just 11 laps, it promised to be elbows out from the start. Holgado got to Turn 1 first and led the field down to Turn 3 where there was more drama. Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) tucked the front, leaving class rookie Luca Lunetta (SYNC Group SpeedRS Team) nowhere to go. This brought out the second red flag of the Grand Prix with a new distance of seven laps set to sort out the order.
For the final start for a seven-lap dash, it was Holgado who once again led the charge but was soon behind Guevara who got under him at Turn 3. The battle was fierce as Gonzalez pushed through on Holgado on Lap 2 before going after Guevera; Holgado was third with Ortola fourth, all four riders in the leading group.
Moto2 podium, from left to right, with Izan Guevara, Manuel Gonzalez and Daniel Holgado. Photo courtesy Pirelli.
After stalking Guevara, Gonzalez pounced on the penultimate lap at Turn 7 with a bold move but the #28 wasn’t giving up as he tried to fight back at Turns 8, 9 and 12. Onto the final lap and it was last year’s runner-up who held the advantage and despite Guevara’s best efforts at the final corner around the outside, Gonzalez held on to repeat his season-opening victory from 2025 and take charge in 2026. Behind them, Holgado rounded out the first podium of the season whilst Ortola and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the top five.
Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team) took P6 ahead of Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Deniz Öncu (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), with Ayumu Sasaki (Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team) completing the top ten.
Find here full results from Moto2 in Buriram and come back for more from Brazil in a couple of weeks!
Valentin Perrone (73), Alvaro Carpe (83) and Adrian Fernandez (31) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
David Almansa won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Chang International Circuit, in Thailand. Using his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM, the Spaniard won the 19-lap race by just 0.003 second.
Maximo Quiles was the runner-up on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM.
Valentin Perrone was third, 9.480 seconds behind Almansa.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe got fourth and Veda Pratama crossed the finish line fifth on his Honda Team Asia machine.
David Almansa leads the championship with 25 points, 5 ahead of Maximo Quiles who has 20 points. Valentin Perrone is third with 16 points.
Converting pole position to a first-ever victory doesn’t tell the full story but the #22 takes the early Championship leader and the winner’s trophy from Thailand.
A classic start Moto3’s 2026 campaign? Just what we ordered. It was very much a case of the calm before the storm as David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) battled to a maiden victory in a final corner, last lap thriller ahead of Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). 0.003s and the joint-closest finish, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) opened his account with a podium behind the duelling Spaniards up ahead.
Moto3 podium, from left to right, with Maximo Quiles, David Almansa and Valentin Perrone. Photo courtesy Pirelli
The first holeshot of the season went to polesitter Almansa, who let the brakes off to hold P1. It was a drag race down to Turn 3 against Quiles but the #22 held firm and lead the opening lap of the season. Behind, there was drama for Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) who crashed at Turn 5 on Lap 2, the same corner that ended hiss Thai GP last year. Lap 3 saw another rider fall from the top ten as Guido Pini’s (Leopard Racing) debut with his new team saw him crash at Turn 12 but the Italian sophomore remounted and rejoined the action, eventually finishing 20th.
Five laps in and what looked like a breakaway group of four – consisting of Almansa, Quiles, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) – had been reeled in. They now had rookie sensation Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and Argentinean Perrone for company with approximately one second covering the top six. At the end of Lap 6, a mistake from Carpe allowed Fernandez through before another mistake allowed Pratama into fourth and the Indonesian didn’t stop there. He forced his way under Fernandez to take P3 at the end of Lap 7, sitting in a provisional podium position on his debut.
As half distance approached the front two had scarpered. At the end of Lap 11, our first change in the lead as Quiles decided to take over at the front from Almansa at Turn 12, now giving his fellow Spaniard a chance to study his own strengths and weaknesses. It didn’t last long though, as Quiles ran off at Turn 1 to gift his rival the lead straight back. Both were matching each other’s lap times, the only riders in the 1’41s – a true head-to-head to get us started in 2026. Seven seconds behind, there were passes in abundance with Fernandez, having dropped to sixth, climbing back into third with three to go.
Onto the last lap and after a Turn 12 error from Quiles, Almansa sported a half a second advantage as they took in the final 4.5km of Buriram. However, Quiles wasn’t finished and put in an outstanding final lap to get back on terms for one final attack into the last corner. Defending his line, he forced Quiles to let the brakes off and it looked like he got the job done but on the run to the line, Almansa had better drive to snatch his first victory in Moto3 by just 0.003s, equalling the closest finish of all-time in Moto3. In the scrap for third, Perrone fought his way ahead of Carpe, likewise in a final corner pass whilst Pratama took top Honda honours in fifth on his debut, ahead of Fernandez.
Valentin Perrone (73), Joel Esteban (78) and Casey O’Gorman at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Outside the top six, Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was a strong seventh ahead of Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) and David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) who rounded out the top ten. Just missing out on the top ten by 0.206s, it was 11th for rookie Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Adventure Has No Limits with More Fuel Capacity, Rider Aids, Suspension Travel, and Adventure Touring Enhancements.
MARIETTA, Ga. –Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is bringing its highly anticipated adventure motorcycle, the Ténéré 700 World Raid, to the United States. Built for riders seeking the longest, most challenging journeys, the 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid expands Yamaha’s Adventure Touring (ADV) lineup with premium upgrades, new components and the latest technology, elevating the Dakar-bred long-distance adventure-tourer to new horizons.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
KEY DETAILS
Yamaha’s 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid is coming to the U.S.
Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) with two power modes, 6-axis IMU and lean-sensitive traction control, slide control and ABS add flexibility to every ride
One-piece seat, dual tanks and updated bodywork enable more freedom of movement
Upgraded suspension, strong steel frame, new steering damper and ergonomic updates elevate the riding experience and provide better comfort and performance both on- and off-road
Large TFT dash, handlebar switches, cruise control and rider selectable speed limiter add long-distance comfort
POWER AND CONTROL
The latest iteration of Yamaha’s acclaimed 689cc CP2 twin engine offers linear, useable torque and precise control suited to adventures both on- and off-road. To make the best use of the power from the CP2 engine, the Ténéré 700 World Raid utilizes the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) with two power modes: ‘Sport’ mode for dynamic power delivery on spirited road rides, and ‘Explorer’ for smoother throttle reaction in off-road sections or on wet surfaces. Riders can switch between the power modes on the go, with closed throttle, from the handlebar switchgear.
The Ténéré 700 World Raid is equipped with a 6-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). It constantly measures the machine’s acceleration and angular velocity to determine forces affecting the bike. The lean-sensitive Traction Control System (TCS) and Slide Control System (SCS) both use data from the IMU to adjust the engine power and control the amount of traction and slide the rider has selected to use. Both systems feature three modes – STREET, OFF-ROAD and OFF – to give riders the option to select the level of system support, and to achieve optimum levels of traction and slide whether riding on- or off-road.
For ABS/Brake Control, there is a dedicated button to select between ABS modes. When ABS is switched ON, Brake Control can be enabled to provide cornering ABS, while the off-road focused REAR OFF and OFF modes allow either the rear or both wheels to lock for full off-road control. Strong stopping power and excellent braking consistency are achieved with steel-braided brake lines that run to the Brembo front callipers paired with large 282mm brake discs.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
BUILT TO GO FURTHER
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid features enhanced ergonomics and technology to make long-distance adventures more exhilarating and comfortable while the large dual fuel tanks ensure the ride is not cut short.
The new fuel tank assembly consists of two connected aluminum fuel tanks with a total capacity of 6.1 gallons (1.8 gallons more than the Ténéré 700) providing around 300 miles of range. Separate tanks reduce the effect of fuel movement improving handling, while the low position of the fuel pump contributes to a more centralised weight distribution.
A one-piece rally-style seat makes it easy to transition from sitting to standing or move from front to rear, offering the rider greater freedom of movement and strengthening the ADV nature of the machine. Adding to rider comfort, a new windscreen and easily removable side deflectors provide high levels of wind and weather protection.
For highway cruising, the 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid is equipped with Cruise Control, along with a switchable and adjustable Speed Limiter to make adhering to speed limits effortless. Large footpegs provide high levels of control and grip, with removable rubber inserts to provide extra comfort for long highway journeys. The Ténéré 700 World Raid is also ready to be fitted with the optional up and down quickshifter, for seamless shifting on any journey.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
ON-ROAD OR OFF-ROAD
The Ténéré 700 World Raid adds nearly an inch of wheel travel in both the front (230mm/9.1 inches) and rear (220mm/8.6 inches) from the standard Ténéré 700. The fully adjustable KYB suspension package provides control and comfort in demanding off-road conditions as well as absorbing bumps and potholes on the road. At the front, high-grade aluminum triple clamps and upside-down forks with preload, compression and rebound adjustment offer optimised rigidity and feel. The forks now feature larger 46mm diameter inner tubes, up from 43mm, but the total weight of the front fork assembly remains the same. With Kashima coating, friction and abrasion have been minimised, and revised spring and damping specifications improve shock absorption and tire contact with the ground, resulting in greater rider comfort and confidence. In extreme riding situations, suspension bottoming is also reduced.
The fully adjustable linked-type KYB Monocross rear suspension has also been upgraded. It now provides improved performance in demanding off-road conditions thanks to the increased shock stroke (+5mm to 106mm), and a specifically designed linkage contribute to more progressive suspension. The aluminum shock body is lightweight and ensures heat dissipation, while the piggyback reservoir offers extra oil capacity to ensure the damper performs well under all conditions. With the suspension enhancements, more than half-an-inch of ground clearance is added from the standard Ténéré 700, bringing total clearance to 255mm/10-inches.
For best performance both on- and off-road, spoked aluminum wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) run the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires with 50/50 on-road and off-road behavior, providing high levels of grip on both dry and wet roads, strong agility and good stability at higher speeds, traction in off-road situations and reduced road noise.
A 16-step adjustable steering damper provides a wide range of feel and feedback to the rider, with the option to dial up damping for more support in off-road riding. The impact of riding in ruts, bouncing over potholes or experiencing strong side winds is transmitted to the handlebars more gently, resulting in better rider comfort and confidence, and reduced fatigue on long adventure trips.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
STAY CONNECTED
A premium 6.3-inch full-color TFT display is vertically positioned to offer the best visibility for the rider whether sitting or standing. The display offers three theme options – STREET, EXPLORER and RAID – focusing on specific information to suit different riding styles and environments. Ergonomic handlebar switches enable the rider to easily and effortlessly use the controls and make adjustments to the bike on the go.
Key information is displayed in all themes, including speed, engine rpm, fuel level, average fuel consumption, gearshift indicator, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, odometer, trip meter and time. With analog elements, the STREET theme is the closest to the classic Ténéré look. The EXPLORER theme is crafted for off-road riding with all the essential information accessible at a single glance in a refined and modern dynamic digital style. The RAID theme includes two large trip meters in a roadbook-inspired design.
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid connects to mobile devices over Bluetooth, allowing riders to make calls, listen to messages and emails, and enjoy music. The free Yamaha MyRide app enables the bike to sync with iOS or Andriod devices. It enables phone controls and Google-powered turn-by-turn navigation on the TFT display, tracks and stores every route covered, and enables users to create their own story and add pictures which can be shared on social media. MyRide also allows users to review all riding statistics including total distance, elevation, top speed, average speed, acceleration and lean angle to compare with fellow riders.
2026 Tenere 700 World Raid. Photo courtesy Yamaha
TOP FEATURES
Large-capacity dual fuel tanks with centralized weight distribution
Six-axis IMU with Lean-sensitive Traction Control, Slide Control, and ABS
Fully adjustable 46mm KYB® forks and high-spec KYB rear suspension
Ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T®) System with two power modes
Cruise Control and selectable Speed Limiter
Long-distance rider comfort and weather protection features
New adjustable steering damper for improved comfort and reduced fatigue
Large 6.3-inch full-color vertical TFT display with Raid theming
New four-beam rectangular LED headlight unit offers excellent illumination
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid comes in Redline White and Midnight Black colorways and are branded with premium emblems and decals. It will be available from U.S. dealers in May starting at $12,999 MSRP. It will join Yamaha’s Adventure Touring lineup alongside the standard Ténéré 700, which returns for 2026 unchanged, available in Team Yamaha Blue and Tech Titanium in March for the same starting price of $10,999 MSRP.
YAMAHA GENUINE ACCESSORIES
Genuine Yamaha accessories make it easy to personalize the Ténéré 700 World Raid for any specific usage and preference. While several 2025 and 2026 Ténéré 700 accessories are compatible, model-specific accessories for the 2026 World Raid will also be available, such as a front guard, skid plate, radiator guard, side grip pads, lowering kit, panel guard and fog light bracket.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL –On The Box Racing (OTB Racing) is proud to officially announce its five-rider team for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, marking a significant expansion for the team across three premier classes: Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, and AFT AdventureTrackers.
The 2026 program represents the largest and most comprehensive effort in the team’s existence and reflects the continued support and investment from our sponsors.
Competing in AFT’s premier division, the Mission AFT SuperTwins, OTB Racing will field Declan Bender and Brandon Price. Price sat out a majority of the season in 2025 due to injury, where OTB picked up Bender for the remaining eleven races of the season. Bender finished 10th overall in 2025 with one podium finish, four top five finishes, and nine top 10 finishes. Price finished 13th overall, with only competing in five of the seventeen races last year, two of which were podium finishes.
“I am so excited to be back with OTB racing for this season,” says Bender. “After how we finished 2025, I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and continue where we left off. The team and I have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and are very confident in where we believe we should be, so now we just have to turn it into reality!”
Price also chimed in on his gratitude. “I’m grateful to Wayne for the opportunity to race a full season at the top level once again with OTB Racing. I’m really comfortable on the Yamaha MT-07’s and I’m looking forward to working with Mike Luczak and Wyatt Neal. I’ve been putting in the work this offseason to run up front more consistently and contend for wins.”
Brandon Price (92). Photo courtesy AFT.
For the first time, OTB also has brought on a KICKER AFT Singles rider, Bradon Pfanders. Last year, Bradon finished 6th overall in the standings with one podium and eleven top ten finishes.
Pfanders is super excited for the opportunity to ride for the OTB racing team in 2026.“It’s a fresh start for me, after riding another brand for most of my career and having this opportunity to ride Yamahas I was a little skeptical at first, but maybe it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing to be where I know I should be. I am confident with myself and all the people in my corner we can consistently be fighting at the front all season long.”
Brandon Pfanders (83). Photo courtesy AFT.
Wrapping up the team’s line up is the two riders who will be competing in the AFT AdventureTrackers series, Austin Luczak and Will Harris. Both Luczak and Harris competed in the class last year. Luczak ran all four races of the series, finishing 6th overall and grabbing a third place finish as well as three tops fives.
Team Owner, Wayne Sody is looking forward to the new challenges. “2026 is our year. We have researched and developed new technologies which will take us to the top. Crew chief, Mike Luczak has prepared our bikes for the last two years with absolute perfection and we are so excited to have the best equipment for our riders this season. I am thrilled to have OTB represented in three classes and see what is in store for us this season. We need to show our sponsors that their dedication to the team is well deserved and will bring home the consistent podium finishes that we strive for!”
OTB has also added some new faces to the pit. Mike Luczak returns as crew chief along with Wyatt Neal as Brandon Price’s mechanic and Meg Neal as team manager. Rich Pfanders will be wrenching for Declan Bender, and Ryan Wells will wrench and coach the young gun, Bradon Pfanders.
Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible – Memphis Shades, Corbin, Sody Concrete, Glen’s Auto, Luczak Racing, Rausch Racing, Vortex Brewing Company, Fredericktown Yamaha, Lisa Niner, Black Hills Powersports, Vinson Construction, Motion Pro, Vortex, Arai, ODI, RP Exhausts, and Upstate Coatings.
Next Up
The 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season will kick off with the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona’s Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the “World Center of Racing” on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6.
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
Bodie Paige (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige's social media.
In the first race of the Moto4 Asia Cup at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, 15-year-old MotoAmerica Twins Cup racer Bodie Paige finished 12th, taking the checkered flag 6.511 seconds behind the race winner. Australian Paige’s race included a long lap penalty, which he served mid-race, before recovering to secure four championship points.
Bodie Paige:“Got off to a solid start today. I wasn’t in the best position when it came time to serve the long lap, but I managed to regroup, make up a few positions, and felt strong with my pace towards the end of the race. We’ve got another one tomorrow, so the goal is to back it up, put myself inside the top five, and be in the fight for a podium in the closing laps. Looking forward to getting back out there.”
Jake Paige (15) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Jake Paige’s social media.
His 14-year-old younger brother Jake Paige, who will be racing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup this season, crossed the finish line 19th, ending the race 29.506 seconds off the lead at Chang International Circuit.
Jake Paige:“Today was a tough one. I was carrying an injury from a crash in qualifying this morning. I felt like we had solid race pace and things were shaping up well early on, but my shoulder just wouldn’t cooperate and I struggled through the second half of the race. I’ll focus on recovery tonight and do everything I can to have the shoulder ready to go tomorrow. We’ll reset and come back stronger.”
More from a press release issued by Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup:
Chishiki holds off Kunitate by 0.017s to win Race 1 in Thailand.
Hayato Chishiki is an Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup winner after the Japanese star beat compatriot Waku Kunitate by 0.017s as the duo went head-to-head at the final corner on the final lap in Thailand. Third place went to Bintang Pranata, with the Indonesian coming out on top in a brilliant battle for the podium.
Chishiki was able to break away with just under a third of the race remaining, but Kunitate did well to reel in his countryman to set up a last lap fight for the win. Kunitate left it until Turn 12, the last corner, to make a move. And it nearly worked, but Chishiki managed to power back past on the cutback to clinch the first 25 points of the season.
Pranata finished 2.6s off the win in P3, with Pacharagorn Thonggerdloung and polesitter Haruki Matsuyama narrowly missing out on a rostrum in P4 and P5 in the 2026 curtain-raiser.
Make sure you tune into Race 2 from Buriram on Sunday morning at 09:45 local time!
Marc Marquez (93) and Pedro Acosta (37) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Factory Team:
Pedro Acosta and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing won the first Sprint of the 2026 MotoGP season after an enthralling 13-lap race in Thailand. Two KTM RC16s finished in the points with Brad Binder fighting to P6.
Highlights and key moments from Saturday at the Buriram United International Circuit:
Red Bull KTM leads the MotoGP world championship for the first time after Pedro Acosta’s maiden checkered flag at the beginning of his third season in the category
The 21-year-old engaged in a close dispute for victory with Marc Marquez and assumed control of the Sprint into the final corner
Brad Binder started from P11 after making Q2 and crossed the line with a creditable 6th place
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe is the top qualifier from the KTM GP Academy with the 2nd fastest lap in Moto3™ and with the KTM RC4
Pedro Acosta wins Thai MotoGP Sprint Race. Photo courtesy KTM.
For the second year in succession, the 4.5km Chang International Circuit in Buriram brought a new season of MotoGP up to speed. After a hot, cloudy and windy day of Friday practice, the first qualification and race Sprint on Saturday was run in yet more stuffy and overcast tropical conditions.
Pedro Acosta flew to his first career MotoGP Sprint win. The Spaniard started from 6th and the second row of the grid. He then fought for top billing against countryman Marc Marquez. Acosta moved into 1st place three times before a lunge by Marquez into Turn 12 on the penultimate lap then forced the Red Bull KTM man off track. Acosta was able to regain ground on the final circulation and re-inherited P1 when Marquez was obliged to drop one position by FIM Race Stewards. The result stamped Acosta’s eleventh Sprint podium and the fifth in a row, stretching back to round 19 of 2025.
Brad Binder was fast through Practice on Friday to start the year with a positive direct entry to Q2 for Saturday. The South African then took his KTM RC16 to the 11th best lap for the same slot on the grid and an improvement of three places compared to his effort in 2025. Brad battled on the fringe of the top five in the Sprint. His ranking of P6 by the line bettered his P8 from the previous year.
17th in the Sprint for Enea Bastianini. The Italian started from P20 and tried to work on optimization of his race set-up while Maverick Viñales had a harder time understanding the potential of the harder spec tire carcass to handle the searing temperatures. He was 19th.
MotoGP will wind-up for 26-laps tomorrow at 09.00 CET.
Pedro Acosta and the Red Bull KTM Squad at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Pedro Acosta, 6th in qualification, 1st in the Sprint: “Super-happy to start the season like this and for the progress we have made. I was still struggling a bit in the first and second sectors but I was comfortable with the package I had. KTM is working so hard to give me the best bike both now and for the rest of the year. I was happy about the race and being able to battle Marc. I would have done the same overtake! It’s what makes MotoGP exciting and such a nice show for the fans. Let’s see what we can do for the race tomorrow.”
Brad Binder, 11th in qualification, 6th in the Sprint: “A pretty good start and I passed a few guys early on. I felt I had momentum but when the tire pressure comes up then it gets harder to stop, and harder to keep consistent. I had to stay calm and manage the front. The bike felt really good compared to our reference from last year and we’ve done great work so far. We had an issue on my second flying lap in Q2 and I had to use the second bike. It was a bit unfortunate…but I did an even faster time, which shows there is still a bit of extra speed in the pocket. We’ll see if we can get dragged along tomorrow and go a bit quicker.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “A great feeling to start a new season after a hard winter of work as well as preparation in the last weeks and, of course, we’re really happy with the win. This target is always there, even if it was something that maybe we didn’t expect at this track. To have two riders in the top six is a great result for us. We know Pedro’s potential but during this winter I’ve seen a change in him: another step of maturity and he is working so constantly all the time at a high level. Also, really happy for Brad. We made some changes to his working structure and methods at the end of last year and now we start to see the results of this. He’s been very solid and we were targeting that top six. Maverick and Enea have not had the easiest day…but we trust that the boys are coming and the potential is really big there also.”
More from a press release issued by Lenovo Ducati Team:
Marc Márquez and the Ducati Lenovo Team battle for the win in the Thai Sprint for an excellent second-place finish. Francesco Bagnaia finishes in ninth position.
The Ducati Lenovo Team had a starring role in the opening Sprint of the season with Marc Márquez, who was second at the flag at the Chang International Circuit. Francesco Bagnaia wrapped up the encounter in ninth position.
Márquez, from second place on the grid, took the lead at turn one, battling first with Bezzecchi in the opening two laps and then with Acosta. In the closing stages, after an overtaking manoeuvre on his opponent at the end of the penultimate lap, Marc had to drop one position following a penalty from Race Direction. Bagnaia made his way up to eighth from row four, crossing the finish line in ninth place.
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action tomorrow morning at 10:40 local time (GMT +7) for the warm up, followed by the Grand Prix of Thailand, which will be contested over 26 laps from 15:00.
Marc Marquez (93) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 2nd: “It just went this way. The only thing we can do as riders is to adapt to the limit established by Race Direction. It was very hot today and the conditions were tricky, so when Bezzecchi crashed out, I tried to stay in the lead while keeping a pace I deemed safer. I would have liked to push in the final two laps but I almost lost the rear at turn five. I’m still happy with the result: back in January I would have put my signature on nine points in the first Sprint, but then everything changes when you find yourself battling for the win. We’re still not in the perfect place and I need to improve in some areas, and this is why we chose to keep the situation under control today rather than pushing past the limit.”
Francesco Bagnaia (63) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th: “At the moment, I’m not able to perform the way I’d like. It’s my responsibility, as I’m taking longer than I should to adapt to the situation. Surely, things went better in the Sprint compared to the previous session, so we’ll try to use this as a base to keep improving ahead of the race. The conditions should stay the same, meaning very hot but still manageable. The medium tyre option could help us in this regard: still, it’ll be important to get a good start, especially considering our grid position, and try to put ourselves in a condition to attack.”
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Jorge Martin fifth, Marco Bezzecchi out after a crash while leading. Podium for Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse MotoGP Team.
The first sprint of the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand brought mixed fortunes for Aprilia Racing. Starting from fifth on the grid, Jorge Martín came home in fifth after a hard-fought race. For the Spanish rider, this represents his best qualifying position and sprint result with Aprilia Racing. Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position despite a crash without consequences during his final time-attack attempt. This marks Aprilia Racing’s first pole position in a season-opening race and the third consecutive in the top class at Portimão, Valencia and Buriram, both for the Italian rider and for the Noale-based manufacturer. However, Bezzecchi’s sprint came to an early end following a crash on the second lap.
The performances of the Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders were also noteworthy. Raúl Fernández progressed from Q1 to Q2, qualified third and claimed third place in the sprint, while Ai Ogura, who started eighth, finished fourth after a strong recovery ride.
Jorge Martin (89) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Jorge Martin: “The sprint went well. I got off to a good start and also had a great battle with Raúl. After a few laps, I had to slow down because I wanted to manage things, but fifth place is still a good result. I am pleased with the solidity and consistency I am showing this weekend and I am optimistic ahead of the main race.”
Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I made a mistake, unfortunately. I tried to tighten my line a bit more and touched the inside white line, which caused an initial front-end tuck. Then, when I opened the throttle to try to lift the bike, the front tucked completely and I slid off. A pity.”
Fabiano Sterlacchini: “Since Friday, all our riders have been strong and we have shown great consistency. Right from the start of the season, the project has shown clear progress in the areas where we were previously weaker. Overall, it was an extremely positive day; it’s a shame about Marco, but these situations are part of our job and won’t discourage us.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Foundations laid with productive double top ten Saturday in Buriram.
Honda HRC Castrol made yet more progress during an electric Saturday at the Chang International Circuit, Joan Mir battling into seventh and Luca Marini avoiding incidents around him to recover to tenth.
Back to the typical conditions expected of the Thai GP, hot conditions saw lap times tumble in the build-up to the very first Sprint of the year. Excitement was palpable and built throughout the day as the return of racing steadily grew closer and closer.
Joan Mir took full advantage of his strong Friday to start tenth on the grid for the Sprint, immediately making progress forward with a trademark aggressive start. The first race of the year saw several ambitious moves into the opening corners, leaving the #36 with ample space to advance further. Settling into the rhythm of the race, he’d battle with Brad Binder until the closing laps and taking seventh place. This is an improvement of two places over his 2025 Thai Sprint result.
Lining up in 14th on the grid after late yellow flags in Q1, Luca Marini took a wide line into the first corner and quickly progressed into the top ten. Fighting hard with Bagnaia on the factory Ducati, the #10 was able to maintain his early gains and cross the line in tenth with a comfortable margin over Alex Marquez. This marks an improvement of five places over his 2025 Thai Sprint result.
Honda HRC’s engineers have one more evening to assess the data and make final adjustments before the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix arrives and another MotoGP World Championship season continues on at pace.
Joan Mir (36) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Joan Mir:“I am satisfied with the job we’ve done today, it is what we were missing last year – getting a solid result in races where we can’t be fighting deep in the top five. It’s what will make the difference at the end of the year. At the start of the weekend, I said that it would be tough and we have been working a lot to improve our situation. In the long race on Sunday, I think we will be stronger. It’s important to have a race like this at the start of the year so we can map our progress well and not lose our way.”
Luca Marini (10) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini:“We had to work hard to stay inside the top ten today after gaining some positions at the start. There are still some things to improve on the bike, certainly we have made some steps forward but in the race, you can see that still there is some margin between us and the others. Today’s heat made the front tyre very critical, even with the big improvements we made to the braking area it meant we had to be very careful, and we lost one of our strengths. There are still new things we are trying, still finding new improvements and still planning for more in the future. It’s the first race and we are pleased with this first Saturday.”
More from a press release issued by Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team:
First points of the season for Di Giannantonio in Buriram Sprint.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secures two points in the Sprint of the Thailand GP thanks to Fabio Di Giannantonio’s eighth-place. Franco Morbidelli is fourteenth.
The Sprint of the Thailand GP kicked off the 2026 MotoGP season, and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team showed solid performance despite a challenging race. Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed his first two championship points with a comeback ride to eighth place, while Franco Morbidelli crossed the line in fourteenth position.
After a strong qualifying session, Di Giannantonio started from the fourth position on the grid (1’28”918). With an excellent start, Fabio immediately joined the fight for the Top3, but a contact in the early stages of the race dropped him in the back group, forcing him to set a comeback. The rider from Rome showed a strong pace, managing to cross the Sprint finish line in eighth position and scoring his first points of the year. Di Giannantonio heads into Sunday’s race eighth in the World Standings.
It was a more complicated Sprint for Morbidelli, who started from the third row (1’29”321) after progressing through Q1 in a solid qualifying performance. The very high temperatures in the pack battle affected Franco’s Sprint, but he defended well and managed to bring his bike to the finish line with great determination. The Italian-Brazilian rider ended the first Sprint of the year in fourteenth place, holding the same position in the World Standings.
The Thailand Grand Prix, which opens the 2026 MotoGP season, will conclude tomorrow with the main race, scheduled to start at 3:00 pm local time (+6 CET).
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “We’ve had a great weekend so far. I feel strong, we had a good Qualifying and we also showed an excellent pace. In the Sprint, in the first corners I was in my position, I braked on my line, but I heard the noise of another rider coming towards me. I had to pick the bike up to avoid a crash, and we went wide. During the race, even though we were in the back group with a lot of heat, I was very fast and managed to fight back. I was quicker than the riders with me. It’s difficult to do more in the Sprint because it’s shorter and it was really very hot. But we have a great package and huge potential, I’m convinced we can put on a great show tomorrow, because now it’s not enough for me to have a good race, I want more. The Sprint is behind us, we’re already thinking about Sunday and the goal will be to enjoy it and do well.”
Franco Morbidelli (21) and Enea Bastianini (23) during the Sprint Race at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
Franco Morbidelli: “It was a half-positive Saturday, because this morning in Qualifying we managed to do a great time attack to get through Q1, and we know how complicated that is. With that lap time, we would have started from the second row. About the Sprint, I didn’t make a good start, I had many bikes in front of me and the temperature was extremely high. I couldn’t brake the way I wanted. It’s not ideal, but I managed to ride in the 1’31”. It was interesting to watch. But when it’s like that, it becomes impossible to ride, so the goal was to bring the bike to the finish line. For tomorrow, with this heat it will be complicated, but we will give our maximum.”
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini Team:
Alex out of the top 10 after a tough start.
SPRINT:
ALEX MARQUEZ 11th
MICHELE PIRRO 21st
Alex Marquez (73) during the Sprint race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Gresini Team.
Alex Marquez: “It’s a shame because I had a very good start today. Unfortunately, under braking there was contact with Diggia, who tried to attack from the outside, and I had no options. From that moment on, I focused on my riding and overtaking, and I found a good rhythm. We definitely made a nice step forward in the sprint, and tomorrow we have a good chance to be among the protagonists. Today we could have been in the top four or five, and that will be the goal for tomorrow.”
Michele Pirro on the grid of the Sprint race. Photo courtesy Gresini.
Michele Pirro: “We completed the sprint, even though I was hoping for more consistency in the lap times. I wasn’t that far from the group ahead of me, but I made a few small mistakes. We need to — and we can — make another step forward tomorrow as well, and thanks to the team who are doing a great job. Of course, the heat isn’t helping us perform at our best.”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco finished 12th in Saturday’s Sprint at Buriram.
From his 12th-place grid position, the Frenchman made a strong start and gained positions.
Early in the race, he went wide, which complicated the following laps and prevented him from reaching the points.
The data gathered today is vital for preparing the optimal strategy ahead of tomorrow’s race, as tyre degradation and temperatures will be crucial factors in the Thai race.
The positive takeaway from today is that Johann acknowledges there is untapped potential, and the situation is significantly improved compared to a few months ago.
Johann Zarco (5) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda LCR.
Johann Zarco – 12th:“It’s hard to fight and not score points. The start was good; we did a solid job, but then I went wide, lost positions, and from that point, I struggled a bit in different areas. I was able to maintain consistency and had a good pace, but I lost time when fighting with riders and trying to overtake. I tried to handle the situation. We are working hard in some areas to improve things for tomorrow’s race. Even though we didn’t score points today, the bigger picture looks better, and we’re getting closer. We just need to keep working.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished his first-ever MotoGP Sprint in 13th position.
Starting from 15th on the grid, Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira delivered a strong performance on Thai soil.
The rider acknowledged the significant speed and high level of competition among his rivals, recognizing that each new step is part of his ongoing learning process.
Both the rider and the crew concluded the Sprint feeling satisfied and motivated for the journey ahead. As this was his first Sprint, Moreira demonstrated a solid performance, marking only the beginning of his progression!
Diogo Moreira (11) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda LCR.
Diogo Moreira – 13th:“I’m satisfied; I enjoyed the Sprint and learned throughout all the laps. I’d say overall, it was a positive experience. Everyone is so fast, and it’s difficult to grasp the speed. Everyone was pushing, and at the beginning, I was tense until I gained confidence. We managed well overall, and we’ll see tomorrow!”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Determined Charge from Miller and Razgatlıoğlu in Season-Opening Thai Sprint.
In the 13-lap Sprint Race that officially launched the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu delivered a determined performance at the Chang International Circuit, battling within the pack and maintaining a pace close to the front group despite the ongoing development phase of the project.
Gino Borsoi: “All things considered, it was a very good Sprint race for both riders.
It’s a shame about Toprak’s crash, because his pace — like Jack’s — was very competitive. He was able to stay within around one second per lap of the front group, and for his first MotoGP Sprint that’s an exceptional level.
Both riders showed strong determination and maintained solid race pace throughout. If we can replicate this level of performance tomorrow over full race distance, it would complete a very positive weekend for us.”
Jack Miller (43) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Pramac Yamaha.
Jack Miller: “I felt good and the pace was decent throughout the race. I didn’t make any mistakes — I just focused on logging laps, gathering data and doing the best we could. I had Diogo in front of me and I was pushing hard to stay with him. It’s frustrating when we hit the long straights because that‘s where we‘re still lacking the most in terms of top speed. Still, I feel we‘ve made a step forward compared to the long runs we did here last week. It’s only the first race weekend for a brand-new bike, so we knew this wouldn‘t be our ideal track, but I believe in myself and in the Yamaha engineers. We‘re moving in the right direction.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu talking with Alex Rins (left) on the MotoGP Sprint race grid. Photo courtesy Pramac Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu:“I tried to follow Jack and I could see there were areas where I was able to close the gap and others where he was clearly faster, so it was good to understand where I need to improve. Overall we did a good job, even though the crash was a shame because it could have been an even better result. Tomorrow will be a long and demanding race, probably even more difficult than today, but my focus will be to stay relaxed and ride to the best of my ability. I want to keep improving my feeling with the bike and concentrate on the positives. Starting from a difficult qualifying position, our pace was similar to the group around us, and the fact that we still have so much room for improvement makes me optimistic”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Riders Experience First 2026 Racing Action in Thailand Sprint.
Today’s Grand Prix of Thailand Sprint gave MotoGP fans the first racing action of the 2026 season. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo lost some ground in the early stages but recovered to P16 in the final laps. Álex Rins was running in P16 for the majority of the 13 laps, but the order was reshuffled in the last lap. He crossed the finish line in P18.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team got a first taste of 2026 MotoGP racing action in today’s Grand Prix of Thailand Sprint. Fabio Quartararo had a difficult opening lap, but he recovered to P16 in the final two laps. Álex Rins had a solid start but lost some positions in the end and wrapped up the 13-lap dash in 18th.
Quartararo started from P16 but struggled to get off the mark and was riding in 19th position after the first lap. The Frenchman was able to make up ground in the latter stages. As Toprak Razgatlıoğlu dropped down the order two laps before the end, El Diablo was on the move. He kept his head down and gained two further positions when he overtook Rins and Enea Bastianini on the final lap to end the Sprint in 16th place.
Rins made progress in the first lap. Commencing the Sprint from P19, he got up to P16 and held the position for the majority of the ride. The Spaniard was chasing fellow Yamaha riders Jack Miller and Razgatlıoğlu. With three laps to go, the latter took a fall, and Franco Morbidell got through on Rins. It meant the number-42 remained in 16th place until a duel on the final lap ultimately resulted in the Yamaha man taking the chequered flag in P18.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will be back in action tomorrow for Warm Up, held from 10:40-10:50 GMT +7, and the 26-lap Race, which starts at 15:00.
Fabio Quartararo (20) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo:“We are struggling with the start here. I was in last place after the first corner, and when you’re at the back it’s difficult to overtake. I know that I struggle a bit more with the pace when I’m in a group because I make the difference on corner entry. In a practice session you can ride alone and in a different way. With people ahead of you it’s completely different, and that’s why in a race it is always more difficult.”
Alex Rins (42) on the MotoGP Sprint race grid. Photo courtesy Yamha.
Alex Rins:“It was as difficult as I expected. It was really tough on track in this heat. I’m quite happy about my start: I was able to recover some positions. It was my best start with this bike so far. It was kind of great. But it was difficult to overtake. On the last lap, I was trying to defend my position from Bastianini. When we arrived in the braking area of corner 3, it was like ‘Let’s see who brakes later’, but we both went wide. Then Fabio overtook us, and we finished like this.”
Massimo Meregalli – Team Director:“We knew that this first Sprint race was going to be very difficult. This is expected when you start a completely new project in a championship as competitive as MotoGP. Our team got two completely different stories: Fabio struggled at the start but gained some positions at the end, while Alex moved up the order in the early stages but lost some places in the final lap. The most important thing now is to carefully check our acquired qualifying and race data with the new bike – which are different from testing and practice sessions – so we can start developing accordingly. We expect tomorrow’s Race to be tough: 26 laps in this heat is a challenge for both man and machine, but it will again be a useful source of information for us.”
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
Red Bull KTM Tech3 faced a demanding 13-lap Tissot Sprint at the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship, with both riders fighting hard in scorching track conditions at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram.
After a difficult Q1 left him 20th on the grid, Enea Bastianini delivered a steady ride to finish 17th in the Sprint. Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales, who started from 17th, dropped to 19th after running wide in the opening corner.
Qualifying
Both Red Bull KTM Tech3 riders showed solid pace from the outset in Q1. Bastianini slotted into eighth on his first push, while Viñales placed himself just ahead in P7.
As the session unfolded, the Tech3 team-mates briefly swapped positions on the leaderboard, underlining how evenly matched they were in the heat of the battle. On his last flying lap, Top Gun delivered his best effort of the session to cement 17th on the grid overall, while Bastianini dropped down to 20th.
Raúl Fernández and Franco Morbidelli claimed the coveted top-two spots for promotion to Q2, and the former would go on to take third behind Marc Marquez in P2 and Marco Bezzecchi on pole by just 0.035s.
Sprint
It was a bruising opening Sprint of the season for Viñales. Tucked towards the back of the pack in the opening exchanges, the Spaniard ran off at the first corner and immediately found himself on the back foot.
Dropping to 21st, Top Gun struggled to recover momentum in the short-format contest. Although he was able to make up a position before the chequered flag, Viñales ultimately crossed the line in 20th, salvaging what he could from a difficult outing.
Starting from 20th, Bastianini quietly pieced together a more progressive Sprint. The Italian worked his way up to 18th during the race, showing flashes of pace as others faltered. The Beast’s top speed was the sixth fastest of the race as he crossed the line in 17th.
Two crashes ahead – most notably from pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi – helped shuffle the order and move the Tech3 riders forward. Further up the field, a dramatic clash between Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta ended with a penalty for Márquez – a decision that secured the KTM rider his maiden Sprint win.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 will be back tomorrow for the main event of the Grand Prix of Thailand, which will kick off at 15:00 (UTC+7) for 26 action-packed laps as the #12 and #23 bikes push to climb the order.
Maverick Viñales (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Maverick Viñales: “Honestly, I have no words – today has been a tough day. At the moment it’s not coming together for us — especially over one lap and in the Sprint — and that makes it hard to fight the way we want to. The potential is there — we’ve seen that — but we need to make it consistent and give me a package that allows me to push and race properly. Tomorrow is another opportunity to take a step.”
Enea Bastianini (23) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Enea Bastianini:“It was a challenging day. From yesterday to today the feeling changed quite a lot, especially in the hotter conditions, and that made it difficult to stop the bike and find rear grip. We know we can do better than this, but right now we need to understand clearly where the limitation is. The focus is to stay calm, work through the data and improve step by step. It’s only the first weekend of the season, and we have time to react.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager:“Today’s result is clearly not the way the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team wanted to launch its 2026 campaign. This morning was somewhat disappointing – the target over the winter was to improve our Qualifying performance, and unfortunately, we did not achieve that, with 17th position for Viñales and 20th on the grid for Bastianini. Starting that far back makes it extremely difficult to fight for the positions we are targeting. The Sprint result is therefore a disappointment and clearly below our expectations, especially when you see Pedro Acosta winning on the same bike. The only thing we can do now is keep our heads down and continue working – the bike has the potential for much more than what we showed today.”
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