In a jaw-dropping display of speed and skill, Marco Bezzecchi has rewritten the record books at the Buriram circuit, establishing a blistering new lap time of 1m58.526s during the opening day of the 2026 MotoGP season. The Aprilia rider’s phenomenal performance not only showcased his exceptional talent but also left reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia scrambling in Q1 for the second consecutive year at the Thailand Grand Prix.
As the session unfolded, it was Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Ducati who initially stole the spotlight, leading the charge into the final moments. However, Bezzecchi had other plans, unleashing an astonishing lap that sent shockwaves through the paddock and clinched him the top spot, marking a complete Friday domination for the Aprilia team.
The session was not without its challenges, as rain droplets intermittently affected grip levels across the track, creating a tricky environment for the riders. Despite the conditions, the legendary Marc Marquez demonstrated his resilience, managing to secure a top 10 position with a solid second-place finish. Yet, the champion was a notable 0.421 seconds adrift of Bezzecchi’s blistering time, leaving fans to wonder if the Honda ace would be able to reclaim his former glory.
Di Giannantonio ultimately settled for third, while KTM’s Pedro Acosta and Bezzecchi’s teammate Jorge Martin rounded out the top five. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez faced a frustrating moment when he was impeded by Michele Pirro, who was substituting for the injured Fermin Aldeguer. Despite this setback, Marquez managed to secure sixth place, comfortably advancing to Q2.
The top 10 was rounded out by Honda’s Joan Mir and Johann Zarco, along with Brad Binder from KTM and Ai Ogura, who, despite crashing on his final outlap, still made the cut. The riders advancing to Q2 included Bezzecchi, Marquez, Di Giannantonio, Acosta, Martin, A Marquez, Mir, Binder, Ogura, and Zarco.
In stark contrast, Bagnaia’s day was far from ideal. The factory Ducati rider struggled to find his rhythm throughout the session, ultimately finishing in 15th and missing the crucial Q2 qualifying session. His performance was particularly disappointing, as he barely threatened the top 10, finishing just six hundredths ahead of Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, who was the fastest of the Yamaha contingent.
As for the series debutants, Diogo Moreira finished in 18th place, lagging six tenths behind the leading Honda, while Toprak Razgatlioglu trailed Quartararo by a mere half-second. With the stage set for an electrifying qualifying session, all eyes will be on the riders as they battle for position and seek to etch their names into MotoGP history. The stakes have never been higher, and the anticipation is palpable as the season unfolds.
