Image: from MotoGP™ X @MotoGP
By Open Chronicle Staff
AUSTIN, Texas — In a dominant display of engineering and grit, Aprilia Racing achieved its most significant milestone in the premier class on Sunday, securing a flawless 1-2 finish at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. Marco Bezzecchi took the checkered flag to claim his first victory for the Noale factory, followed closely by teammate Jorge Martín.
The result marks a seismic shift in the MotoGP power balance, as the Italian manufacturer successfully tamed the physically demanding Circuit of the Americas (COTA), a track traditionally dominated by Honda and Ducati.
Marco Bezzecchi e Jorge Martín com uma exibição exímia a conseguirem a dobradinha para a Aprilia 👏#sporttvportugal #MOTOGPnaSPORTTV #MotoGP #USGP pic.twitter.com/V6ggbDMobQ
— sport tv (@sporttvportugal) March 29, 2026
The Race of the “Bez”
Marco Bezzecchi, who moved to Aprilia at the start of the 2026 season, delivered a clinical performance. After a strong start, Bezzecchi managed his tires with precision, opening a gap that eventually stretched to over two seconds. He crossed the line with a time of 40:50.653, signaling his intent as a serious title contender for the remainder of the year.
Jorge Martín, fresh off his victory in Saturday’s Sprint, secured second place to complete the Aprilia lockout. While Martín pressured his teammate in the opening half of the race, he ultimately settled for the 20 points, prioritizing a massive haul for the team’s championship aspirations.
Acosta and the Youth Movement
The podium was rounded out by Pedro Acosta, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing sensation. The young Spaniard continues to defy gravity in his second season, holding off a late charge from Fabio Di Giannantonio to take third. The result further cements Acosta’s status as the leading non-Aprilia rider in the current standings.
Further down the order, the “King of COTA,” Marc Márquez, struggled to find the ultimate pace required to challenge for the win. Now riding for the Ducati Lenovo Team, Márquez finished fifth, just over eight seconds adrift of Bezzecchi.
Disaster for Bagnaia and Honda Heartbreak
It was a day to forget for reigning champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. The Ducati star lacked his usual clinical edge, languishing in the midfield for much of the race and eventually finishing 10th. Bagnaia’s uncharacteristic struggle allowed the Aprilia duo to make significant gains in the World Championship standings.
Honda’s woes continued as Joan Mir crashed out on the fifth lap, though Luca Marini provided a minor silver lining by finishing ninth—securing a rare top-ten finish for the HRC Castrol squad.
MotoGP USA Grand Prix – Top 10 Results
| Pos | Rider | Team | Time/Gap | Pts |
| 1 | M. Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing | 40:50.653 | 25 |
| 2 | J. Martin | Aprilia Racing | +2.036 | 20 |
| 3 | P. Acosta | Red Bull KTM Factory | +4.497 | 16 |
| 4 | F. Di Giannantonio | VR46 Racing Team | +6.972 | 13 |
| 5 | M. Marquez | Ducati Lenovo Team | +8.100 | 11 |
| 6 | E. Bastianini | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | +8.243 | 10 |
| 7 | A. Marquez | Gresini Racing | +11.253 | 9 |
| 8 | R. Fernandez | Trackhouse MotoGP | +13.129 | 8 |
| 9 | L. Marini | Honda HRC Castrol | +14.471 | 7 |
| 10 | F. Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team | +14.544 |