Spielberg, Austria, September 20, 2026: Jorge Martin produced a sensational comeback to win the Tissot Sprint at the 2026 MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix, recovering from eighth place on the opening lap to take victory after Pedro Acosta crashed out of a comfortable lead with just three laps remaining.

The Aprilia Racing rider started from pole position and initially led into Turn 1, but a battle with Marc Marquez saw Martin run wide and lose several positions. By Turn 3, the championship leader had dropped all the way to eighth.

What followed was an impressive charge through the field as Martin fought his way back into contention and eventually inherited the lead when Acosta crashed at Turn 2a.

Marc Marquez finished second for Ducati Lenovo Team, while Martin’s Aprilia teammate and title rival Marco Bezzecchi completed the Sprint podium. The result gives Martin 12 crucial championship points heading into Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

Martin Goes From P1 to P8 on Opening Lap

Martin made the perfect getaway from pole, taking the holeshot ahead of Marc Marquez. However, the Aprilia rider ran wide on the exit, allowing Marquez to challenge for the lead into Turn 2a.

Both riders braked late, with Marquez taking the inside line. Martin was forced onto the outside and lost momentum through the corner, dropping rapidly down the order.

By Turn 3, the 2024 MotoGP World Champion had fallen from first to eighth.

At the front, Marquez’s lead was short-lived. The Ducati rider ran slightly wide at Turn 3, allowing Pedro Acosta to take advantage. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider immediately attacked and began pulling away from the chasing pack.

Acosta quickly established a gap of around one second, while Bezzecchi moved into third ahead of Alex Marquez.

Jorge Martin Begins Stunning Comeback

Martin wasted little time beginning his recovery.

The Aprilia rider overtook Brad Binder, Francesco Bagnaia, Ai Ogura and Alex Marquez in quick succession to climb to fourth by Lap 5 of the 14-lap Sprint.

His next target was teammate Bezzecchi.

On Lap 7, Martin made his move at Turn 1, diving up the inside of Bezzecchi to claim third place. One lap later, Martin produced another aggressive but clean move at Turn 1, this time passing Marc Marquez to move into second.

With Acosta still 2.8 seconds ahead, Martin’s focus turned to closing the gap while keeping Marquez and Bezzecchi behind him.

The championship leader was also under pressure from track limits, having already received a warning that meant another infringement would result in a Long Lap penalty.

Pedro Acosta Crashes Out of the Lead

Acosta appeared to be cruising towards his second Sprint victory of the 2026 MotoGP season.

The KTM rider had built a lead of around two seconds and looked firmly in control on his home manufacturer’s circuit. But with three laps remaining, disaster struck at Turn 2a.

Acosta entered the chicane too quickly and lost the front of his KTM while committed to the corner. The crash ended what had looked like a dominant victory and handed Martin the lead.

Martin made no mistake from there, bringing his Aprilia home to claim a dramatic Sprint victory.

Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi Complete Podium

Martin’s victory sees the championship leader collect 12 valuable points, while Marc Marquez finished second and Bezzecchi took third.

Ai Ogura continued his impressive return from injury by finishing fourth for Trackhouse MotoGP Team.

Alex Marquez finished fifth, ahead of Francesco Bagnaia in sixth, with the two Ducati riders separated by six-tenths of a second at the chequered flag.

Johann Zarco was the highest-placed Honda rider in seventh, while Fermin Aldeguer and Brad Binder completed the Sprint’s points scorers in eighth and ninth respectively.

The result sets up a fascinating Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, with Martin, Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi all featuring prominently in the championship battle.

For Acosta and KTM, meanwhile, Saturday’s disappointment will be about recovering from a missed opportunity and converting their strong pace into a result when the full-distance Grand Prix gets underway at the Red Bull Ring.