Marco Bezzecchi of the Aprilia team set a new Buriram Circuit lap record of 1:28.526 during the first pre-qualifying session for the 2026 MotoGP season, outpacing Ducati riders Marc Marquez and Di Giannantonio. The performance establishes Bezzecchi as an early contender as the season commences in Thailand.
The qualifying session saw a challenging outcome for Francesco Bagnaia, who finished 15th and will be required to compete in the Q1 qualifying round. According to reports, Bagnaia’s position necessitates a more difficult path to secure a favorable starting grid position for the race.
Bezzecchi’s lap time not only secured him the fastest time in the session but also eclipsed the previous lap record for the Buriram Circuit. Marquez and Di Giannantonio, both riding Ducati GP26 machines, followed closely behind, indicating Ducati’s strong performance in the initial stages of the competition.
Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 4:50 AM local time, followed by the Sprint Race at 9:00 AM. The main race is set for Sunday, also at 9:00 AM. All events will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed on NOW.
Prior to the qualifying session, Bezzecchi acknowledged Marquez as the favorite, stating he would be content with a solid start to the season, according to GPone.com. This statement suggests a cautious approach from Bezzecchi despite his impressive performance in the pre-qualifying session.