2026 MotoGP Catalunya - Sprint Race Results

Alex Marquez holds off Pedro Acosta by just 0.041s to win the 2026 Catalan MotoGP Sprint.

The Gresini Ducati star, who crashed from the lead of last year’s Sprint before winning the grand prix, slotted into an early second behind pole qualifier Acosta.

Marquez then passed the KTM rider, with Raul Fernandez demoting Acosta to third.

But Acosta retaliated, regaining second and then chasing down Marquez – with VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio now in tow.

Marquez's victory was the closest ever in a MotoGP Sprint.

• Barcelona Sprint: New 2026 MotoGP World Championship standings

Jorge Martin DNF

Fernandez, who put a firm re-pass on fellow Aprilia rider Jorge Martin early in the race, claimed fourth.

Factory Aprilia team-mates and title leaders Marco Bezzecchi and Martin lined up just ninth and twelfth on the grid after qualifying falls.

Martin looked set to take the title lead after swift early progress, only to suffer his fourth crash of the weekend on lap 3.

That mistake allowed Bezzecchi to extend his points advantage despite fading to ninth place.

Surprise front row qualifying Franco Morbidelli lost ground at the start and finished seventh on his GP25 Ducati.

di Giannantonio and Brad Binder clashed at Turn 1, sending the KTM rider down before his bike wiped out Honda’s Joan Mir.

The FIM Stewards ruled no further action was needed.

All riders chose the medium front and soft rear tyre combination.

* Rookie.

Qualifying:

Pedro Acosta blasts to pole position for the 2026 Catalan MotoGP at Barcelona.

The Friday leader put his KTM 0.233s ahead of a surprise challenge from Franco Morbidelli, who delighted watching team boss Valentino Rossi with second place.

Defending Catalunya Grand Prix winner Alex Marquez completes the front row.

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia), Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) and Fabio di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) will form row two ahead of Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.

Aprilia title leaders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin both crashed: Martin in Q1 and Bezzecchi at the start of the crucial final run in Q2, causing Rossi to throw his hands in the air in despair.

Bezzecchi, currently one point ahead of Martin, dropped to twelfth and last in Q2, while Le Mans winner Martin salvaged ninth.

Bagnaia misses Q2

Martin advanced through Qualifying 1, behind surprise leader Franco Morbidelli, despite suffering a third crash of the weekend.

Pecco Bagnaia was first of those to miss out on the final Q2 transfer spots and will start from 13th, while Le Mans podium finisher Ai Ogura was left in 18th.

Fermin Aldeguer and Toprak Razgatlioglu, who will start from last, also crashed in Q1.

The 12-lap Sprint starts at 3pm local time this afternoon.

* Rookie.

Official Barcelona MotoGP Records:

• Best lap: Alex Marquez, Ducati, 1m 37.536s (2025)
• Fastest race lap: Pedro Acosta, KTM, 1m 39.664s (2024)

Final Practice:

Joan Mir gives Honda a glimpse of what they’ll be missing next season by leading final practice for the 2026 Catalan MotoGP at Barcelona.

The former world champion put his RC213V ahead of Friday leader Pedro Acosta (KTM), VR46 Ducati’s Fabio di Giannantonio and Le Mans winner Jorge Martin.

• Joan Mir “leaving Honda”, linked with surprise Gresini seat

Most riders chose used soft tyres for the race-preparation session, but Acosta began on mediums front and rear.

Title leader Marco Bezzecchi and rookie Diogo Moreira used a soft front and medium rear.

Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Ai Ogura picked a medium front and soft rear.

Johann Zarco suffered a fast crash at Turn 14 on his first flying lap.

Qualifying 1, for those outside the top ten on Friday, including Pecco Bagnaia and double Le Mans winner Jorge Martin, will now begin.

Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez is missing this weekend after undergoing shoulder surgery to remove two damaged screws and a bone fragment that had been compressing the radial nerve in his arm.

Marquez’s foot fracture suffered at Le Mans was also stabilised.

Tech3’s Maverick Vinales is returning to action after missing the past three grands prix due to a similar screw issue.

Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez is making his second wildcard entry of the season.

* Rookie.

Official Barcelona MotoGP Records:

• Best lap: Alex Marquez, Ducati, 1m 37.536s (2025)
• Fastest race lap: Pedro Acosta, KTM, 1m 39.664s (2024)