The 2026 MotoGP season has kicked off with a bang in Buriram, Thailand, and the first practice session has already delivered some thrilling surprises! But here's the headline: Marco Bezzecchi, the Aprilia Racing star, has set the pace, leaving his rivals with a statement of intent.
In a scorching start to the season, the top 13 riders were separated by less than a second, and all five manufacturers were in the mix. This is a recipe for an intense battle, and it's anyone's guess who will come out on top.
Bezzecchi's early dominance: Bezzecchi, who had been impressive in testing, wasted no time in FP1. On his third lap, he clocked a stunning 1'29.346s, a time that would remain unbeaten. This early benchmark set the tone for the session and left his competitors with a challenge.
Aprilia's sandwich: Fabio DI Giannantonio, on the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team bike, slotted into second place, sandwiched between two Aprilias. But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the manufacturer, as Jorge Martin, the 2025 Buriram specialist, had a minor crash at Turn 12 early in the session. He recovered well to finish third, showcasing his determination and skill.
A tight field: The top four was completed by another Aprilia, ridden by Ai Ogura, who was a standout performer in 2025. KTM's Pedro Acosta followed closely in fifth, leading the charge for his manufacturer. And the story doesn't end there; reigning champion Marc Marquez started his title defense with a solid sixth, just ahead of his Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
Close battles: The session saw intense competition throughout the field. Bagnaia missed out on sixth by a mere 0.019s, and both he and Marquez gathered crucial data for the afternoon's practice. Franco Morbidelli, Alex Marquez, and Luca Marini ensured four different manufacturers were represented in the top ten, with Yamaha's Alex Rins leading the charge for his team in 13th.
Rookie watch: Among the rookies, Diogo Moreira and reigning WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu finished 16th and 21st, respectively, as they adapt to the MotoGP scene.
With such a close field and a mix of experienced riders and rising stars, the 2026 MotoGP season promises to be a thrilling ride. But who will emerge as the ultimate champion? And will Bezzecchi's early dominance continue? Only time will tell, and we can't wait to find out!
And this is the part that has everyone talking: Can Bezzecchi maintain this form and challenge for the title? Or will the competition catch up? Share your predictions in the comments below!
