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Alex Marquez dominated the Malaysian MotoGP on Sunday to clinch his third victory of the season, romping home more than two seconds ahead of fellow Spaniard Pedro Acosta. Marquez, who confirmed his runner-up spot in the world championship this weekend behind brother Marc, won for the first time this year outside Spain following success at the Spanish and Catalan Grand Prix races. Honda’s Joan Mir was third to make it an all-Spanish podium, with Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo completing the top five. Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez was absent because of a season-ending injury. Alex Marquez called it the “perfect race”. “It’s a really important win for us to celebrate second (in the championship),” said the younger Marquez, 29. Pole-sitter Francesco Bagnaia, who won Saturday’s sprint, started well on a hot and humid Sepang circuit to hold a slender lead in the first lap with Acosta and Marquez in hot pursuit. Marquez, who started second on the grid, made his move early in the second lap as the Ducati-Gresini star surged past Bagnaia during a sweeping corner, and maintained the lead until the finish line. “Today the plan was clear,” said Marquez. “We improved the feeling a bit on the warm-up and later on I was clever on the plan to attack Pedro in the first lap and Pecco (Bagnaia) in the second one. “Then I just tried to manage the tyre towards the end. It was a perfect race and I’m happy for that,” he said. Ducati’s Bagnaia had a tailgating Acosta behind him as the front three left the chasing pack behind. As the race reached the halfway stage, Bagnaia’s focus was to fend off intense pressure from Acosta, leaving Marquez to increase his advantage. Acosta’s pressure eventually paid off as the KTM rider found joy on the 13th lap to overtake Bagnaia into second place. Unperturbed by the battle unfolding behind him, Marquez crossed the finish line in 40 min 09.249 sec. Bagnaia’s afternoon ended with a bike issue late on that left him unable to finish the race. ‘Prayers’ after HORRIFIC crash Earlier, the Moto3 race was delayed and shortened after a nasty collision involving newly crowned world champion Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler during the sighting lap. Both riders were airlifted to hospital but were conscious. “My prayers and thoughts are with the Moto3 guys,” said Marquez. MotoGP organisers subsequently gave an update on social media about the 19-year-old Spaniard Rueda. It said: “Rueda is awake and alert, with a suspected hand fracture and a number of contusions.” Dettwiler’s team, CIP Green Power, said on social media several hours later that the 20-year-old Swiss “will need to undergo multiple surgeries”. “He is in good hands and we kindly ask you to respect his privacy,” the team said, adding he was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. “Noah is a true fighter and the entire CIP Green Power team is right behind him.”

The tickets for the 2026 MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar taking place at Lusail International Circuit (LIC), from April 10 to April 12, 2026, are now available. The Grand Prix of Qatar promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for motorsport enthusiasts.Constructed in 2004, LIC made its debut that same year by hosting the first ever Qatar Grand Prix, marking the country’s entry into the MotoGP World Championship. Since 2008, the Qatar Grand Prix has established itself as one of the most visually appealing events on the MotoGP calendar with its unique night time racing format. To this day, it remains the only venue on the calendar to host night races. The combination of cutting edge facilities and the iconic illumination of LIC creates an unparalleled spectacle that has become a hallmark of the championship.The 2026 MotoGP season is set to deliver another thrilling chapter, with the grid now fully confirmed after one of the most unpredictable contract periods in recent years, where Diogo Moreira was announced to join Honda LCR, completing an exciting line up of 22 riders.With Ducati’s powerhouse pairing of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez locked in, and rising stars like Pedro Acosta and Fermin Aldeguer ready to impress, the 2026 MotoGP grid blends proven champions with exciting new contenders. As anticipation builds for pre-season testing, fans can look forward to another year of fierce competition and unforgettable racing under the lights of Lusail.Ticket InformationFans can purchase tickets through LIC'S official website. For just QR200, a three-day ticket grants access to:• Free seating in the Main Grandstand and Lusail Hill (Turn 1 elevated viewing area)• Fan Zone with entertainment and activities for all ages.• MotoGP merchandising and other retail outlets.• Easy access to free parking and taxi pick up and drop off zone.• As a special bonus, motorsport enthusiasts who purchase tickets for the 2026 MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar will also receive a 25% discount on tickets for the Qatar 1812 KM - FIA World Endurance Championship.• Wheelchair ticket holders are entitled to one free companion ticket (contact [email protected])Fans can book a maximum of 6 child tickets (free of charge for under 12 years of age) when accompanied by 1 adult purchasing a full price ticket.Event scheduleFriday, April 10, 2026: Free practice.Saturday, April 11, 2026: Qualifying for all teams and Sprint race.Sunday, April 12, 2026: Motogp Qatar Airways Grand Prix of QatarThe Qatar Grand Prix will showcase the world’s top riders competing on the 5.38 kilometer track. This world class venue features a flowing layout with a mix of medium and high speed corners, a main straight over one kilometer in length.Details on Hero walks, hospitality packages, and Fan Zone activations will be available on LIC’sofficial website and social media channels. For corporate and group requests, contact [email protected].

Marco Bezzecchi demolished the Australian MotoGP lap record in setting the standard during second practice on Friday, becoming the first rider ever to dip below 1:27 at Phillip Island.The Italian, who won the Indonesia sprint race a fortnight ago before slamming into world champion Marc Marquez during the grand prix, blazed round the waterfront circuit in 1:26.580 on his Aprilia.His time shattered the previous best of 1:27.246 set by Jorge Martin in 2023. Not content with that, he then bettered it with a sizzling 1:26.492.It left Bezzecchi 0.291sec clear of Raul Fernandez, also on an Aprilia, with Ducati-VR4 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio third and Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo fourth."An unbelievable lap, he hit the record two times, which means he has confidence with the bike," Aprilia team boss Paolo Bonora said of Bezzecchi."To be honest, our bike was good for the past year, but we didn't achieve many results."Ducati-Gresini's Alex Marquez came fifth, 0.453sec adrift, as he looks to seal the world championship runner-up spot behind brother Marc.Spain's Marquez has an 88-point lead over two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia in the battle to clinch second in the standings with four rounds left of the 22-stop season.He can do so by finishing the weekend 111 points clear of his Italian Ducati rival, who failed to score a point in Indonesia just a week after winning the Japan MotoGP and sprint races.Bagnaia complained about his bike shaking in the opening session on Friday and again struggled early for pace. But he switched to the spare and steered it to ninth place.The top 10 times from second practice automatically qualified for Q2 on Saturday, and will be joined by the fastest two riders from Q1 to determine the first five rows of the grid both for the sprint race and Sunday's main event.Among those relegated to Q1 were Fermin Aldeguer, who won in Indonesia, and home hero Jack Miller, who topped the opening practice session.Marc Marquez, last year's Phillip Island winner, is not in Australia following shoulder surgery after being rammed by Bezzecchi in Indonesia.Bezzecchi must serve a double long lap penalty on Sunday for causing the incident, but is free to race as usual in Saturday's sprint showdown.He was quick all afternoon, owning the fastest lap of 1:27.516 for almost 15 minutes before Di Giannantonio went a fraction quicker.Teams tried a variety of tyre strategies in a bid to collect data in case of bad weather, and Bezzecchi on a hard front and soft rear then stunned the field with the new lap record.

Ducati’s MotoGP champion Marc Marquez suffered a collarbone injury as a result of a collision with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap of the Indonesian Grand Prix Sunday, his team said.Bezzecchi collided with the rear of Marquez’s Ducati and the pair both hurtled into the gravel at high speed, with Marquez appearing to be in significant discomfort after tumbling head over heels.The Spaniard, who won his seventh MotoGP championship at last week’s Japanese Grand Prix, was hunched over on the side of the track for a couple of minutes before staggering to his feet and lurching away while clutching his shoulder.EVIDENCE OF FRACTUREMarquez was later seen with his arm in a sling, with members of Ducati team saying on the race’s broadcast that there was evidence of a fracture after initial scans.“As a result of today’s crash at Indonesian GP, Marc Marquez has suffered an injury to his right collarbone,” Ducati said in a statement on social media.“The Spanish rider will travel tonight to Madrid (Spain) for further medical tests and to decide on the treatment to follow.”The injury was on the shoulder of the arm Marquez fractured in the 2020 July season-opening Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, which ruled him out for an extended period and required several surgeries.“Not the best way to celebrate the championship,” Marquez told reporters after the race.“In the end, Marco Bezzecchi already came to me and said sorry. This happens. It’s something that sometimes I will do, sometimes somebody else will do, but it was not on purpose. So, Marco accepts it was his fault.“We will fly to Madrid and try to understand with the doctors exactly what is wrong and try to come back as soon as possible.”BEZZECCHI ESCAPES MAJOR INJURYAprilia said Bezzecchi was taken to hospital to undergo a more comprehensive examination following the crash where he was given the all-clear.“After the medical examinations, no fractures have been found for Marco Bezzecchi,” Aprilia said in a statement.Marquez’s Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, Joan Mir (Honda HRC) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) also crashed out of Sunday’s race, won by Gresini Racing rookie Fermin Aldeguer.Ducati-Gresini rider Aldeguer pulled away and cruised to a maiden victory.Aldeguer finished more than six seconds ahead of KTM’s Pedro Acosta in second and nearly eight seconds in front of teammate Alex Marquez in third.“I don’t believe it. I am super happy. To be a rookie, we are doing incredible work. We have to continue like this,” said Aldeguer, 20, who secured his first MotoGP win Sunday.While Marquez can afford to miss the last four rounds of the season having already sealed the title, Bezzecchi still has the opportunity to finish third overall ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and possibly fight with Alex Marquez for second.Alex sits on 362 points while Bagnaia (274) is third, just 20 points ahead of Bezzecchi in the standings.The next race is the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks.

Ducati's Marc Marquez clinched his seventh MotoGP championship at the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday and his first since 2019 after he took an unassailable lead in the world championship with five rounds to spare.Marquez needed to outscore his brother and title contender Alex of Gresini Racing by three or more points by the end of the weekend, and finished second behind his teammate Francesco Bagnaia in Sunday's race to clinch the title.Honda's Joan Mir was third, while Alex finished sixth, giving Marc a 201-point lead over his brother. Alex was the first to approach Marc and congratulate him, giving him a warm embrace when they came to a stop.Marc had his head in his hands after he crossed the line and when the magnitude of the accomplishment hit him, the Spaniard let out a scream.Marquez then came to a stop in front of a big screen and, with tears in his eyes, watched a montage of his struggles over the past six years, which included more than 100 crashes and four operations, as he reclaimed the title after 2,184 days.The coronation was complete when he added his name etched on a silver plaque to the cylindrical MotoGP trophy known as the 'Tower of Champions'."It's impossible even to speak... I just want to enjoy the moment, but it's true that it was difficult, it was super difficult, but now I'm at peace with myself," Marquez said as he fought back tears."I did a big mistake in my career, to come back too early (from surgery) and then I fight, fight, fight - and I won again! So I'm at peace."Ducati's pole sitter and Saturday's sprint winnerBagnaia had a strong start and two laps later he was more than a second clear of KTM's Pedro Acosta while Marquez slotted in behind his Spanish compatriot in third place.By lap seven, Bagnaia was comfortably in control in the lead but Marquez seemed to be struggling to match Acosta's pace, giving Mir the opportunity to close in and challenge him for third place.Marquez eventually found a way past Acosta when he tucked into his slipstream and overtook him on lap 11, but he was staring at a gap of four seconds to his teammate Bagnaia, who was streaking away to his second victory of the season.With 11 laps left, Acosta was clearly struggling for grip and Mir pounced to move up to third as the 2020 champion chased a rare podium finish having retired from 10 races this season.The Ducati paddock had a few heart-stopping moments in the second half of the race when Bagnaia's bike began emitting smoke as Marquez began to close in rapidly, but the Italian was eventually able to nurse his bike to the chequered flag."I don't want to take the spotlight from Marc, he deserves the spotlight today," said Bagnaia, who has been MotoGP champion twice."But in any case, I'm happy. It's just a little shame that it arrived now (so late in the season)... I hope that from now on I will continue in this way, because like this I can fight."

Brad Binder set a lap record Friday as KTM dominated opening practice for the Catalunya MotoGP at Montmelo.The South African was fastest in 1 minute 38.141 seconds, 1.04s ahead of his KTM teammate Pedro Acosta.They were followed home on the Catalan circuit by a pair of local riders, with Alex Marquez third, another 0.035 back on a Gresini Ducati. He was 0.085sec ahead of his brother Marc, the runaway championship leader, on a factory Ducati.The old lap record, 1:39.664, was set by another Catalan, Aleix Espargaro last year.Marco Bezzecchi was fifth on an Aprilia and, on the day his team was sold, Enea Bastianini was sixth on a Tech-3 KTM.That left a quartet of former world champions outside the top 10 and facing a nerve-racking ride in the first qualifying session today in pursuit of the last two places in Q2, which decides the first four rows on the weekend’s grids.Frenchman Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha missed out by 0.003sec in 11th. Honda Spaniard Joan Mir was 13th. Reigning world champion Jorge Martin, rediscovering his form on his Aprilia as he returns from injury was 18th. Francesco Bagnaia, the word champion in 2022 and 2023, was a humbling 21st, 1.39.170sec off Binder’s pace.While Marc Marquez has been untouchable for three months with 14 consecutive victories, seven in sprints and seven in Grands Prix, Ducati stablemate Bagnaia’s form has plummeted.“It’s difficult to explain and difficult to understand,” said Marquez in the pre-race press conferences.“In MotoGP it’s like this. When you lose a bit of confidence with the bike, you start losing half a tenth in the braking zone and there are four or five braking zones and then that becomes two or three tenths at the end of a lap. With this, you go into a spiral of less confidence.”“A lot of things are piling up for him, he’s more stiff on the bike and that makes him go slower,” said Marquez.“He hasn’t forgotten how to ride a motorbike because there are sessions where he is going very fast.”Asked if there was a Marquez effect, the Spaniard replied: “I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you because I’ve always finished above my teammates. Many times I’ve made mistakes in races because my teammate was ahead.”Marquez leads his brother Alex by 175 points in the standings. Even though eight race weekends remain in a season which ends on November 16 in Valencia, Marc seems headed for a seventh world title.Almost all the other riders are now in a position to look even further ahead, after the weekend opened with a flurry of contract extension announcements that leave only one saddle undecided for next season.Italian Franco Morbidelli will stay at Ducati satellite VR 46 and compatriot Luca Marini is remaining at Honda.Australian Jack Miller has signed an extension with Yamaha satellite Pramac where Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlioglu will replace Miguel Oliveira.Frenchman Johann Zarco has been renewed by Honda satellite LRC, which has not yet made a public decision about its other rider, Thai rookie Somkiat Chantra.After threatening to leave following a difficult start to the season, Martin said last weekend that he will be staying at Aprilia.