Misano, Italy, September 13, 2026: Marquez has completed a remarkable turnaround in the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, winning the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano and taking the championship lead for the first time this season.

The reigning World Champion claimed his 78th MotoGP victory after Marco Bezzecchi crashed out of the lead on the opening lap, while Alex Marquez finished second and Pedro Acosta secured third for KTM.

Marc Marquez entered the San Marino Grand Prix 102 points behind the championship leader just seven rounds ago. After his victory at Misano, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider now sits at the top of the standings with 274 points, level with Aprilia Racing’s Jorge Martin.

Bezzecchi’s crash proved decisive in the title battle. The Aprilia rider had started the race as one of the favourites at his home Grand Prix but lost the front at Turn 13 on the opening lap while leading.

The Italian escaped injury but saw a potentially crucial 25-point victory disappear.

Bezzecchi crashes out on Lap 1

Bezzecchi made a strong getaway and successfully defended the lead from Marc Marquez into Turn 1. The reigning champion settled into second, with Jorge Martin running behind him.

Marc had been unable to make an attack during the opening part of the lap, but the race changed dramatically at Turn 13.

Bezzecchi lost the front of his Aprilia and crashed out of the lead.

The incident handed Marc Marquez the race lead and put Martin into second, while Bezzecchi’s title hopes suffered another major setback following his recent run of difficult results.

Martin attacks Marc Marquez

With Bezzecchi out, attention immediately switched to the battle between the two championship contenders.

Martin stayed within striking distance of Marc Marquez, with just 0.4 seconds separating the Aprilia rider from the Ducati at one stage.

The fight at the front also allowed Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta to close in.

Martin eventually made his move on Lap 7, diving up the inside of Marc at Turn 4 to take the lead.

Marc initially appeared content to settle behind the Aprilia, but the reigning champion soon began responding with faster laps.

Marc Marquez retakes the lead

Marc Marquez produced a series of personal-best laps before making his move on Lap 12.

The Ducati rider attacked Martin at Turn 6 and successfully reclaimed the lead.

Marc then began opening a gap at the front, stretching his advantage to around 0.7 seconds.

Martin’s race became increasingly difficult when Alex Marquez made his move at Turn 6 on Lap 14.

The Gresini Ducati rider completed the pass to move into second and demoted Martin to third.

Pedro Acosta was also closing rapidly on the battle for the podium.

The KTM rider eventually made his move on Lap 16, attacking Martin at Turn 8 to take third.

Martin was then pushed further down the order when Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer overtook him at Turn 6.

That pass had major championship implications, leaving Marc Marquez and Martin level on points at the top of the standings.

Alex Marquez pushes Marc to the finish

Marc Marquez was not entirely comfortable at the front during the closing stages.

Alex Marquez steadily reduced the gap and was only 0.5 seconds behind his elder brother with five laps remaining.

Acosta was also within striking distance, sitting just 1.1 seconds behind Alex and producing the fastest pace among the leading trio.

The gap between the Marquez brothers remained around half a second with two laps remaining, raising the possibility of a late attack for victory.

However, Marc kept his composure and prevented Alex from getting close enough to make a serious passing attempt.

Marc Marquez crossed the finish line to secure his 78th MotoGP victory and complete one of the biggest championship turnarounds of his career.

After being effectively out of title contention following his crash at Le Mans, the reigning World Champion is now back on top of the standings for the first time since winning the 2025 MotoGP title.

Alex Marquez and Acosta complete Misano podium

Alex Marquez’s second-place finish was particularly significant after his injury struggles earlier in the season.

The Gresini rider came from ninth on the grid to finish second at his team’s home race while Gresini ran a special livery paying tribute to the late Marco Simoncelli.

Pedro Acosta continued his impressive recent form with another podium finish.

The KTM rider followed his Aragon Grand Prix podium with a third-place finish at Misano, giving him his fifth podium of the 2026 season.

Fermin Aldeguer completed an impressive ride to fourth, ahead of Jorge Martin in fifth.

Martin’s result means he leaves Misano level on 274 points with Marc Marquez, but the momentum has clearly shifted towards Ducati heading into the next round.

Complete San Marino MotoGP points scorers

Raul Fernandez finished sixth for Trackhouse Racing, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio in seventh.

Enea Bastianini took eighth for Red Bull KTM Tech3, while Luca Marini and Fabio Quartararo completed the top 10.

Brad Binder finished 11th, ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu, Franco Morbidelli and Pol Espargaro.

Francesco Bagnaia suffered another disappointing home Grand Prix, with the Ducati rider crashing out of the race.

MotoGP championship battle heads to Austria

The championship now heads to the Red Bull Ring in Austria, with Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin tied at the top on 274 points each.

Bezzecchi remains third but is now 33 points behind the championship leaders.

Just seven rounds ago, Marc Marquez was 102 points away from the championship lead. His victory at Misano has completed an extraordinary turnaround and put the reigning World Champion in control of the title race heading into the Austrian Grand Prix.

2026 San Marino MotoGP – Top 14

Position	Rider	Team
1	Marc Marquez	Ducati Lenovo Team
2	Alex Marquez	BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
3	Pedro Acosta	Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
4	Fermin Aldeguer	BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
5	Jorge Martin	Aprilia Racing
6	Raul Fernandez	SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team
7	Fabio Di Giannantonio	Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
8	Enea Bastianini	Red Bull KTM Tech3
9	Luca Marini	Honda HRC Castrol
10	Fabio Quartararo	Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
11	Brad Binder	Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
12	Toprak Razgatlioglu	Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
13	Franco Morbidelli	Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
14	Pol Espargaro	Red Bull KTM Tech3

Championship standings after San Marino: Marc Marquez – 274 points; Jorge Martin – 274; Marco Bezzecchi – 241.

The next round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship takes the paddock to Austria and the Red Bull Ring, where Marquez and Martin will arrive level on points at the top of the standings.