MotoGP 2026: Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi wins the Italian Grand Prix

It was a dream come true moment for Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi as he won the Italian Grand Prix at the fast and fabled Mugello circuit. To win on home soil was something that the Italian rider dreamt of ever since he was young, but the victory didn’t come easy.

A Dramatic Start

As the lights went out, Marco Bezzecchi made a great start and got to the front of the field before the braking point before turn one. However, he went a bit too deep and that gave his teammate, Jorge Martin, the chance to overtake him from the inside. Bezzecchi, however, wasn’t going to give up that easily and retook the lead after a couple of corners.

Pecco vs Bez

As the race progressed, Bezzecchi saw an unexpected challenge from Pecco Bagnaia on the factory Ducati, who made a brilliant move, while going into turn one, outbraking Bezzecchi’s Aprilia. This was textbook Bagnaia after ages and the Italian crowd loved it since they witnessed Pecco and Bez slug it out.

Bezzecchi maintained the gap to Pecco till almost lap 14 and that’s when he decided to pull the pin and make a decisive move on Pecco to snatch the lead. From then on there was no looking back as Bezzecchi won the race, giving himself and Aprilia Racing their first win at Mugello, in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

Ogura Almost Had It!

Meanwhile, Jorge Martin on the second factory Aprilia made light work of passing Pecco for second place, who was beginning to struggle with rear tyre grip. After settling into third place, Pecco only had to bring his factory Ducati home.

However, on the last lap, Ai Ogura on the Trackhouse Aprilia was gaining on Pecco in each corner. Ogura made a move on Pecco while going into the last corner. However, Pecco held his nerve, swapped back into the lead at the exit of the corner and then used the sheer power of his Ducati to hold on to third place.

The Next Race

With the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello done and dusted, the MotoGP paddock moves to Hungary where they will race at the Balaton Park from June 5-June 7. Marco Bezzecchi leads the 2026 MotoGP World Championship with Jorge Martin in second place.