Marco Bezzecchi claims dominant win in Thailand season opener

Written by Silvia Cojocaru

Marco Bezzecchi celebrating his Grand Prix win | Credit: Michelin_Motorsport on X

Marco Bezzecchi claimed a comfortable win in Thailand, becoming the first Aprilia rider to win three consecutive Grand Prix.

Grand Prix results

1. Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, 39:36.270

2. Pedro Acosta, KTM Factory Racing, +5.543

3. Raúl Fernández, Trackhouse MotoGP Team, +9.259

4. Jorge Martín, Aprilia Racing, +12.182

5. Ai Ogura, Trackhouse MotoGP Team, +12.411

6. Fabio Di Giannantonio, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team,  +16.845

7.  Brad Binder,  KTM Factory Racing, +17.363

8.  Franco Morbidelli, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, +18.227

9.  Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, +18.340 

10. Luca Marini,  Honda HRC Castrol, +19.101

11. Johann Zarco, Honda LCR Team, +19.903

12.  Enea Bastianini, KTM Tech 3, +23.386

13. Diego Moreira, Honda LCR Team, +24.686

14. Fabio Quartararo,  Yamaha MotoGP Team, +30.823

15. Àlex Rins, Yamaha MotoGP Team, +32.955

16.  Maverick Viñales,  KTM Tech 3, +36.545

17.  Toprak Razgatlıoğlu,  Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, +39.194

18. Jack Miller, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, +47.848

19. Michele Pirro,Gresini Racing MotoGP, +1:03.598

OUT. Joan Mir,  Honda HRC Castrol

OUT.  Álex Márquez, Gresini Racing MotoGP

OUT. Marc Márquez, Ducati Team

Sprint

Credit: MotoGP Press

The sprint opened with an exciting fight between the pole-sitter, Bezzecchi, and Marc Márquez who started right behind the Italian. 

The first lap saw them change positions multiple times while an attempt by Álex Márquez to overtake Fabio DiGiannantonio led to both of them going outside the track. This gave room to Pedro Acosta to move up two positions right at the start.

The battle between Bezzecchi and Marc Márquez didn’t last long, after the Italian rider crashed on Lap 2, right after reclaiming his position from the reigning world champion.

Acosta celebrating his sprint race win | Credit: KTM_Racing

This gave Acosta an advantage once again, as he managed to overtake Raúl Fernández and start challenging Marc Márquez. The Trackhouse rider still managed an incredible race and finished on the last step of the podium, as the best Aprilia rider on Saturday. His teammate, Ai Ogura finished in fifth place, fighting Jorge Martín for fourth.

Pedro Acosta claimed his first sprint race win after a controversial penalty given to Marc Marquez in the final lap. This put an abrupt end to an otherwise thrilling fight for first, where the two Spaniards changed positions seven times.

Grand Prix

Credit: MotoGP Press

Bezzecchi managed a great launch off the grid and started to distance himself from the rest of the pack, creating a one second difference at the start of Lap 2. While Marc Márquez attempted to close the gap to the Italian rider, he seemed taken by surprise by Fernández, who overtook the world champion at Turn 5.

Acosta moved in front of DiGiannantonio at the start of Lap 5 and Martín also managed to overtake Marc Márquez to settle into third place. 

At the start of Lap 7 Martín and Acosta began a thrilling fight for the last step on the podium, with Marc Márquez closely following the pair. Three laps later, the reigning world champion took advantage of the battle in front to overtake both riders and briefly take third place.

Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta battling in the sprint | Credit: MotoGP Press

In a moment reminiscent of Saturday’s sprint, Acosta continued the fight to Marc Márquez, this time overtaking the world champion comfortably. 

Fernández began to struggle with his pace on Lap 20, creating an opportunity for Acosta to close the gap to the Trackhouse rider.

On Lap 21, Marc Márquez made a mistake that caused him to go outside the track and suffer a rear tyre puncture. This forced him to retire from the race with a little over five laps remaining and caused a yellow third sector that further helped Acosta overtake Fernández a couple laps later. 

Álex Márquez also crashed out of the race on Lap 21 and Joan Mir began to experience issues with the pressure in his rear tyre which also forced him to retire out of the race. 

 Pedro Acosta celebrating with his team | Credit: Michelin_Motorsport on X

Bezzecchi recovered important points on Sunday after his crash in the sprint race, but Acosta remains the leading rider after the first round of the season.

MotoGP is back on track, so make sure to tune in to the Brazilian Grand Prix on 22nd March at 14:00 GMT!