MotoGP Preview: Italian Grand Prix
- Silvia Cojocaru
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
After a turbulent and divisive Catalan Grand Prix, MotoGP is heading to Italy to resume the championship fight. Marco Bezzecchi still leads the standings by 15 points, but anything can happen this upcoming weekend.
Here is everything you need to know before the 2026 Italian Grand Prix!
This week's track: Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
Situated in the beautiful area of Tuscany, Florence, Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello is one of the most awaited stops on the championship calendar. It has a length of 5.245 km (3.259 mi) with a long straight of 1.141 km (0.709 mi).
In 1988 the track was bought by Scuderia Ferrari and it has now become common grounds for their Formula One testing. This is in part thanks to its technically diverse layout that will also put the riders to the test this weekend.
Despite being considered one of the safest circuits on the calendar, this accolade doesn’t make Mugello any less challenging or exciting. The key part to look at in terms of possible overtakes is San Donato (Turn 1), the slowest point of the track following the long straight. This corner will see riders brake from speeds of over 300km/h (186.41 mph).
Another famous section is the Arrabbiata (Turns 8 and 9), two incredibly fast uphill right-handers that will reward precise heavy braking.
Past results
Last season’s trip to Mugello was special for the Ducati factory team. The Italian manufacturer donned a new livery that proved lucky for Marc Márquez who also celebrated 100 career pole positions. Despite taking an early lead, Francesco Bagnaia could not hold the reigning world champion back and he slowly lost positions to finish just outside the podium in fourth.
The podium was also completed by two other Ducati-powered riders, with Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio joining Marc Márquez.
Fabio Quartararo had a decent start to his weekend, showing great pace in qualifying. He lined up fourth on the grid but failed to capitalize in both the sprint and the race, finishing in 10th and 14th respectively.
It was a mixed weekend for KTM, with Pedro Acosta being their highest finishing rider in the Grand Prix in eighth. Brad Binder followed in ninth place, but Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini both failed to finish the race, making it a race to forget for the Tech3 team.
Past visits to Mugello offered us plenty of thrilling battles such as Marc Márquez’s brilliant defensive riding in 2014 against Jorge Lorenzo and Danilo Petrucci, earning him his first MotoGP win in 2019 thanks to a brave move he made in Turn 1.
Key notices
Following the chaotic Catalan Grand Prix, some riders will be unable to join the grid this weekend. Gresini rider and 2025 runner-up Álex Márquez and Honda rider Johann Zarco are still recovering after their crashes in Catalonia. The 2025 runner-up will be replaced by Michele Pirro while Cal Crutchlow will step in for the Frenchman.
However, there is also a rider that will be returning this week in Marc Márquez. The reigning World Champion has recovered after his crash in France and will be assessed after the first practice session in Mugello to determine if he is fit to race.
Di Giannantonio emerged as the huge winner in Spain and is slowly approaching the leading Aprilia duo in the championship fight. The VR46 rider is now 26 points away from the leader and taking into account his recent form, he has the ability to return as the championship leader after his home race.
Considering his last year performance at Mugello, he is definitely a rider to keep an eye on this weekend.
Jorge Martín failed to capitalize on the momentum he accumulated in France and distanced himself from his teammate. From a one point gap, the Spaniard is now 15 points behind Bezzecchi. Martín was also physically affected after the previous race, as he visited the medical centre for a check up. He has, however, been declared fit to race.
Some tensions may arise at Aprilia following this incident considering that it was a Trackhouse rider, Raúl Fernández, who took Martin out of contention in Catalonia. The CEO of Aprilia Racing, Massimo Rivola, was seen discussing with the head of Trackhouse Racing, Davide Brivio, following the collision of the two Spaniards.
Acosta had a difficult weekend in Spain. From heading towards his first Grand Prix win to his dreadful collision with Álex Márquez and later with Ai Ogura, the young KTM rider is in a complicated mental space heading to Italy.
Will Di Giannantonio challenge the Aprilia duo for the championship lead? Will Pedro Acosta finally turn his luck around and claim his first win? Tune in to the Italian Grand Prix on 31st May 2026 at 15:00 track time (13:00 GMT) to find out!
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