The 2026 MotoGP season roared to life at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand, and what a dramatic start it was! Marco Bezzecchi, riding for Aprilia, delivered a statement performance in Friday’s practice sessions, setting a blistering new track record and putting the rest of the grid on notice ahead of the season opener. The Italian’s lap of 1m28.526s not only topped the timesheets but also eclipsed his own record from pre-season testing, confirming that Aprilia’s preseason promise was no fluke.
Fans flocking to the circuit and millions more tuning in via MotoGP’s streaming service saw Bezzecchi carve out a 0.421-second gap over reigning world champion Marc Marquez, who is hunting for a record-equalling eighth title this year. The weather threatened to play havoc, with dark clouds and the occasional spot of rain keeping riders and teams on their toes. Yet, the track held firm, allowing for a late-session flurry of fast laps that left everyone breathless.
Bezzecchi’s heroics weren’t limited to the afternoon practice. He’d already set the pace in Free Practice 1, confirming Aprilia’s dominance in the early going. "It’s a great feeling to start the season with this kind of speed," Bezzecchi remarked after the session, his confidence evident as he looked ahead to qualifying and Sunday’s race.
Marc Marquez, despite still feeling the effects of a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the final four races last season, showed his trademark grit. The Spaniard struggled early in the session but surged up the leaderboard with about 20 minutes remaining, ultimately securing second fastest in the crucial afternoon practice. According to AFP, Marquez acknowledged the challenge: "The injury forced me to change my riding style until I’m back to full fitness." Still, the champion’s late-session charge reminded everyone why he’s the man to beat.
Behind the leading duo, VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio continued his impressive form. The Italian Ducati rider finished third-fastest in the afternoon, improving his best time from last year by a full second and standing as the only Ducati representative in the top five during Free Practice 1. "I’m happy with the progress we’ve made," Di Giannantonio said, his optimism clear as he eyes a front-row start on Saturday.
KTM’s Pedro Acosta, a rising star in the paddock, claimed fourth place, while Aprilia’s Jorge Martin rounded out the top five. Martin’s day was not without drama—he crashed just ten minutes into the morning session but escaped unscathed and rebounded strongly in the afternoon. Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura also impressed, banking an early flyer that secured him a spot in Q2 despite a late fall in the session. The Japanese rider’s ability to deliver under pressure didn’t go unnoticed, especially with the unpredictable weather looming.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) and Joan Mir (Honda) also found themselves inside the top ten, guaranteeing direct passage to Q2. KTM’s Brad Binder had a productive afternoon, finishing eighth fastest and putting himself in a solid position for qualifying. LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco just made the Q2 cut, underscoring how fierce the competition is this season—especially with the top 15 riders often separated by less than a second.
Not everyone enjoyed a smooth start to the campaign. Francesco Bagnaia, the 2022 and 2023 world champion, struggled to find rhythm in the tricky conditions and failed to make the top ten, missing out on direct access to Q2. The Italian’s Friday woes echoed the difficulties he faced throughout 2025. "The weather made it hard to stick to our plan," Bagnaia admitted, referencing the rain that kept riders guessing when to push for their best lap. He’ll need to fight his way through Saturday’s first qualifying session if he hopes to challenge at the front.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo endured a particularly tough day. The Frenchman, who had to adapt to a radically overhauled M1 featuring a new V4 engine, finished 16th in the afternoon—just behind Bagnaia—and was 18th in the morning, more than a second off Bezzecchi’s pace. Quartararo made several mistakes as he pushed the limits of his new machine, and with Yamaha’s other riders also languishing at the back (except Álex Rins in 13th), the Japanese manufacturer faces an uphill battle this weekend.
Elsewhere, Toprak Razgatlioglu, a three-time Superbike world champion making his MotoGP debut, finished 21st out of 22 riders. While his adaptation to the premier class will take time, his pedigree suggests he’ll be one to watch as the season progresses.
With the top ten from practice securing spots in Saturday’s Q2, the grid for both the sprint race and Sunday’s main event is already taking shape. The qualifying system, which sees the ten fastest from practice joined by the two quickest from Q1, ensures every session is packed with tension and opportunity. As always, the stakes are high in Buriram, with every rider desperate to start the season on the right foot.
Looking at the broader picture, Aprilia’s preseason dominance seems to be carrying over into the race weekend, with Bezzecchi and Martin both showing front-running pace. KTM and Honda appear locked in a battle for third-fastest manufacturer, while Ducati’s depth is being tested with Bagnaia’s ongoing struggles. Yamaha, after a winter of radical changes, is still searching for answers, much to the frustration of their star rider Quartararo.
Fans can catch all the action live on MotoGP’s official streaming service, which offers comprehensive coverage of practice, qualifying, the sprint, and the main race. Local broadcasters are also providing live streams, ensuring that no one misses a moment of the drama unfolding in Thailand.
With the season opener underway and the grid as competitive as ever, anticipation is building for Saturday’s qualifying sessions and the first race of the year on Sunday. Will Bezzecchi’s early dominance translate into victory, or will Marquez and the chasing pack find another gear? One thing’s for sure: the 2026 MotoGP season is off to a flying start at Buriram, and the storylines are just beginning to unfold.
As Friday’s sessions close, all eyes turn to Saturday’s qualifying, where the battle for pole and crucial grid positions will intensify. With weather still a wild card and the field tightly bunched, expect more fireworks before the lights go out for the season’s first grand prix.