Pedro Acosta wins his first race in the MotoGP class at the Chang International Circuit

Marco Bezzecchi took the first pole position of 2026 despite a late crash in Q2, reigning World Champion Marc Marquez started in second with Raul Fernandez in third from Q1. Fabio Di Giannantonio headed the second row ahead of Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta. 2025 runner-up Alex Marquez started from seventh as Francesco Bagnaia started down in 13th.

The lights went out for 2026 and it was Marquez who took the holeshot into turn one ahead of Bezzecchi. Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez collided at turn three, the Italian was down to 13th while the Spaniard was in 18th.

Bezzecchi made his first move into turn eight to take the lead, but Marquez retaliated at the final corner as Acosta also past Fernandez to move into third. Bezzecchi made a move again this time at turn three and held onto the lead.

Bezzecchi then lost the front at turn eight and was out of the sprint, Acosta smelt an opportunity and made a move on Marquez into the final corner but Marquez cutback on the KTM and retook the lead.

There was a four way fight for fifth place between Joan Mir, Ai Ogura, Brad Binder and Pecco Bagnaia. Ogura made his way into fifth at turn three on Mir on lap five.

On lap seven Acosta made the move again into the final corner but Marquez again was able to get the cutback on the exit to retake the lead.

Martin was beginning to fade towards the end of the race and Ogura made the pass for fourth at turn three on lap ten. Marquez was wide at turn three, but Acosta just wasn’t close enough to captialise.

Acosta for the third time made the overtake at the final corner but again Marquez made the cutback and held onto the lead. On lap 11 Acosta made the move again but Marquez again cutback to retake the lead again. Toprak Razgatlioglu on his debut was running behind teammate Jack Miller in 16th as second best Yamaha but unfortunately for the reigning World Superbike champion he lost the front at the final corner.

Marquez made a mistake at turn five and Acosta just squeezed through at turn six but Marquez held it around the outside through seven but Acosta stayed ahead.

Marquez made a late lunge into the final corner and forced Acosta off the track as they started the final lap. As they headed into the final sector Marquez was instructed to drop one position which he did so at the final corner which meant Acosta crossed the line to win his first race in the premier class.

Marquez was second with Fernandez in third. Ogura finished fourth as he did last season ahead of Martin with Binder in sixth, Mir seventh, Di Giannantonio recovered to eighth with Bagnaia taking the final points paying position.

Featured Image: Pedro Acosta