Pedro Acosta scored his second MotoGP Sprint victory of the season at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Saturday when he held his nerve in a tricky, rain-affected race.
The Spaniard was involved in a tense fight with Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi and Ai Ogura for victory after pole sitter Alex Marquez crashed out of the lead on the third lap.
Acosta takes epic Sprint win
Pedro Acosta put in an epic performance to take victory in the MotoGP Sprint to cap a brilliant Saturday at the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix after fighting for victory throughout.
The 22-year old qualified third after following Marc Marquez around in Q2 and was immediately in the victory fight from the off.
After pole sitter Alex Marquez crashed out of the early lead at Turn 14 on the third lap, Acosta was promoted to second, just behind the surprise of the race Ai Ogura.
His job was made harder when white flags were shown on lap two to indicate they could switch bikes and from slick to wet tyres. Rain fell intermittently around certain parts of the track from there.
But the lead MotoGP group continued on slicks. And Acosta made his move for victory three laps from the chequered flag, as he passed Ogura at Turn 9.
From there, he held off an advancing Marquez for his second Sprint victory of 2026 and fourth Sprint podium of 2026 so far.
There was double joy for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing as Brad Binder rose from 15th on the grid to come home a highly credible seventh.
Marquez and Bezzecchi also on the podium
Marc Marquez was content to score second place even if he was the MotoGP reference on Friday afternoon.
The championship leader was in a difficult position. Keen to attack, he was also aware that a mistake could spell disaster for his hopes of lifting the MotoGP World Championship at the end of 2026.
The 33-year old was demoted to fourth after clashing with Ogura at Turns 1 and 2 on the first lap. He was then content to sit behind the Japanese rider and Acosta as the rain continued to fall around points in the track.
A super fight with Ogura on the penultimate lap was enough for second, and he was grateful to score nine important points for his championship challenge.
Bezzecchi was the fastest rider on track in the second half of the race but was made to pay for a slow start. The Italian joined the lead trio with five laps to go, and his move on Ogura on the penultimate lap secured his seventh MotoGP Sprint podium of the year.
Martin ruled out of Malaysian Grand Prix
Marquez’s second place was highly significant for the 2026 MotoGP World Championship fight after chief rival Jorge Martin retired from the Grand Prix on Saturday morning.
The Aprilia rider broke a bone in his right wrist just seven days ago in a fast crash in Australia but heroically returned to ride on Friday.
Yet one short run on Saturday morning was enough to confirm he had neither the strength nor the endurance to complete the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix. He will return to Spain on Saturday to prepare for next weekend’s MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar.
Martin’s absence on Saturday afternoon meant Marquez extended his MotoGP Championship lead from ten points to 19. Bezzecchi now sits 52 points back of Marquez, meaning he needs a top result on Sunday.
Sunday’s 20-lap race promises to be similarly thrilling. With the threat of rain ever present, Alex Marquez will be seeking revenge for his Sprint crash, while Acosta and Bezzecchi will be keen to beat Marc Marquez again.
