Image: from M Sports X @MSports_all
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Marco Bezzecchi delivered a commanding performance at Mugello on Sunday, securing victory in the Italian Grand Prix and leading Aprilia to a dominant one-two finish alongside teammate Jorge Martin. The result marked Aprilia’s fourth one-two finish of the 2026 MotoGP season and further strengthened the manufacturer’s growing challenge to Ducati’s long-standing supremacy.
Racing in front of a passionate home crowd, Bezzecchi claimed his fourth victory of the campaign after a calculated and decisive ride that saw him overcome early leader Francesco Bagnaia before pulling away in the second half of the race.
Dreams did come true at the #ItalianGP 🇮🇹🤩
A fairytale home win for Bez & Aprilia, a hard-fought P3 for @PeccoBagnaia and big battles unfolding further down the pack! 🔥#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/5hrA6aVQVu
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 1, 2026
Strong Start Sets the Tone
Unlike Saturday’s sprint race, Bezzecchi launched perfectly from the front row and held the lead into the opening corner. The start proved disastrous, however, for Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez, who dropped from second on the grid to 17th after running wide at Turn 1.
The opening laps featured an intense battle between the factory Aprilia riders and Ducati’s Bagnaia. On lap two, the double MotoGP world champion overtook Jorge Martin for second place before taking the lead from Bezzecchi at the beginning of lap three with a powerful move into the first corner.
Bagnaia immediately pushed the pace and briefly appeared capable of delivering a home victory for Ducati. Behind him, Marc Marquez held fourth position while Pedro Acosta began applying pressure aboard his KTM.
Mid-Race Battle Shifts Momentum
As the race approached its midpoint, Bezzecchi steadily closed the gap to Bagnaia. Martin also remained firmly in contention, creating a three-rider battle at the front.
The decisive moment arrived on lap 14 when Bezzecchi attacked into Turn 1. Diving down the inside, he seized the lead and left Bagnaia unable to respond.
Once in front, the Italian immediately increased his pace. Within a few laps, he had built a significant advantage while Martin closed rapidly on Bagnaia.
On lap 16, Martin completed Aprilia’s takeover of the race by overtaking Bagnaia for second place, again at Turn 1. The move effectively secured the manufacturer’s one-two finish as Bezzecchi continued to extend his lead.
Battles Throughout the Field
Further down the order, Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez engaged in a prolonged duel for fourth place. Acosta repeatedly challenged the Ducati rider before eventually moving ahead, although Marquez continued fighting back with characteristic determination.
The battle intensified when Ai Ogura joined the fight. Contact between Ogura and Acosta with four laps remaining added further drama to the contest, with the Japanese rider emerging ahead and launching a late charge toward the podium positions.
Meanwhile, the race saw several notable incidents. Yamaha rider Alex Rins crashed at Turn 1 on lap 11, while Enea Bastianini suffered a fall two laps later at Turn 10, the same corner that had caught him out during Saturday’s sprint race.
Bezzecchi Untouchable to the Finish
As the final laps unfolded, Bezzecchi maintained complete control at the front, crossing the finish line comfortably ahead of Martin to secure a memorable victory on home soil.
Behind the leading Aprilias, Bagnaia came under heavy pressure from Ogura but managed to defend third place in the closing corners to secure a podium finish for Ducati.
Fabio Di Giannantonio recovered strongly after a poor start to finish fifth, while Acosta, Marquez, and Fernandez completed the top eight.
The victory further underlines Aprilia’s remarkable progress during the 2026 season. With Bezzecchi and Martin consistently challenging at the front, the Italian manufacturer has transformed itself from an occasional contender into a genuine championship force.
For Ducati, Mugello represented a rare defeat at one of its strongest circuits. For Aprilia, it was another statement that the balance of power in MotoGP may be shifting.
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