The San Marino Grand Prix has marked a new turn in the MotoGP 2026 season, with Marc Marquez and Ducati positioning themselves at the top of the standings. Although a close competition was expected, what ultimately unfolded was a clear victory by a single rider, with Marco Bezzecchi making an error after starting from pole.
With 14 races completed and a calendar that could shrink to 21 events, the competition enters its final phase with new dynamics emerging.
Winner: Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez, from the Ducati Team, may not be in the best physical condition as he was a year ago, but he has achieved five victories in seven races, a performance reminiscent of his dominant campaign in 2025. He has narrowed the gap with Jorge Martin by 40 points in just two races. His recent form is generating concern in the Aprilia team, which cannot afford any mistakes in such tight competitions.
Losers: Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia
Bezzecchi had regained good momentum after his injury, achieving four consecutive podiums. Despite this, his crash on the first lap of Sunday’s Grand Prix shows that he still struggles with mistakes at critical moments. Aprilia, additionally, has suffered a fall in the constructors’ standings, losing the advantage to Ducati after a disappointing performance at their second home Grand Prix.
Winner: Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta, from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, has shone again in Misano, achieving a new podium position. Despite difficulties in previous qualifying and sprints, he received technical upgrades that helped him catch up to the front positions of the race. His ability to achieve outstanding results with a vehicle that is not at the same level as the more competitive manufacturers is admirable.
Losers: Francesco Bagnaia
The situation of Francesco Bagnaia has been frustrating at his home Grand Prix. His words were harsh, describing the weekend as ‘humiliating’. After failing to show competitiveness, he finished the race 17 seconds behind the winner, losing control of his bike for the third consecutive time. His grip issues remain unexplained and continue to affect his performance.
Winner: Luca Marini
After a difficult start to the season, Luca Marini achieved a good qualifying result in Misano, placing sixth. He managed to score important points with a respectable performance, being the best Honda rider after the falls and the absence of other riders during the competition.
Loser: Franco Morbidelli
Franco Morbidelli also found himself in a difficult situation, with a penalty that affected his performance. He finished far from the podium positions, a significant disappointment given the public support and the expectations of his team.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
