Pedro Acosta crashes out on opening lap
Pedro Acosta suffered disappointment for the second consecutive MotoGP Sprint as his challenge for victory at the Japanese Grand Prix came to an early end following a first-lap collision at the Mobility Resort Motegi.
After showing impressive pace throughout Friday practice and qualifying third on the grid, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider was fighting for a podium position when he arrived at Turn 4 on the opening lap.
Alex Marquez misjudged his braking for the tight left-hander and collided with Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio. All three riders crashed out of the MotoGP Sprint, ending their races prematurely.
Acosta was thankfully unhurt in the incident.
It was also a difficult Sprint for Acosta’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team-mate Brad Binder. The South African ran off track at Turn 1 with four laps remaining, dropping down the order to 18th at the chequered flag.
Marc Marquez dominates Motegi Sprint
Acosta’s early exit made Marc Marquez’s task considerably easier at the front.
Starting second on the grid, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion passed pole sitter Jorge Martin into Turn 1 and immediately established control of the Japanese Grand Prix Sprint.
While several riders struggled with rear tyre wear around the resurfaced Mobility Resort Motegi circuit, Marquez became increasingly strong as the 12-lap race progressed.
The Ducati rider set four fastest laps on his way to victory, eventually crossing the finish line 2.7 seconds ahead of the field.
The result marked Marquez’s seventh MotoGP Sprint victory of the 2026 season and his third Sprint win in the last four rounds.
It also gives Marquez important momentum heading into Sunday’s Japanese MotoGP Grand Prix, particularly after several of his championship rivals struggled in the Sprint.
The victory also reduced Marquez’s deficit in the MotoGP World Championship standings. He started the day 12 points behind Martin but now trails the Aprilia rider by just seven points heading into Sunday’s main race.
Diogo Moreira takes surprise second place
Jorge Martin initially looked comfortable in second place behind Marquez, but the MotoGP World Championship leader began to struggle with rear tyre wear during the closing laps.
With three laps remaining, Martin was caught by Enea Bastianini, while impressive rookie Diogo Moreira also joined the fight for the final podium positions.
Martin appeared to have secured second place at the chequered flag, with Bastianini initially classified third. However, both riders were later penalised for exceeding track limits on the exit of Turn 10.
That promoted Moreira to a remarkable second place in the Japanese MotoGP Sprint at Honda’s home race, with Martin third.
Bezzecchi struggles with medium rear tyre
Marco Bezzecchi also endured a difficult MotoGP Sprint after gambling on Michelin’s medium rear tyre while most of the grid opted for the soft compound.
The Aprilia Racing rider initially remained in touch with Marquez and Martin, but his tyre choice began to cost him from around the fourth lap.
Bezzecchi eventually finished sixth, one position behind Japanese home hero Ai Ogura.
With Marquez closing the gap to Martin and Bezzecchi losing ground, the MotoGP championship picture has tightened further ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.
