Who fancies two more European blockbusters before the flyaway stretch of the season begins? We certainly do, and good job too – because that’s exactly what MotoGP has in store in the next two weeks. Austria’s stunning Styrian mountains, where the Red Bull Ring nestles, arrives shortly. But first, we’re strapping in for a date on the glittering Adriatic as the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli gears up for the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera.

The tantalising MotoGP title race took a couple more twists last time out in Aragon, and it means we land at Misano with the top three in the championship split by a slender 24 points – and that includes one of the home heroes this weekend, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).

MM93 REELS IN MARTIN

We’ll come onto Bez and Aprilia shortly, but after a 37-point haul weekend on a happy hunting ground, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) lands in enemy territory looking to reduce his 19-point deficit to World Championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) further. Or if possible, seize the title race lead – which is possible.

Most expected the reigning World Champion to collect maximum points at Aragon and the #93 delivered. Now, while Misano isn’t necessarily considered a MM93 stranglehold, Marquez does boast six MotoGP victories at the circuit – including two in the last two years. And if we hark back to the 2025 San Marino GP, we’ll recall a fascinating battle between Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi. A repeat would be more than welcome.
As it really ramps up, we’re now into the unrelenting run to Valencia. Martin, Marc Marquez, and Bezzecchi split by those 24 points. Is it between those three, or can anyone else propel themselves back into contention?

APRILIA SEEKING RESPONSE ON HOME TERRITORY

While some ground was given up in Aragon, it wasn’t a bad weekend at the office for Aprilia. Given Bezzecchi’s continuing return to full fitness, it was a very good weekend for the Italian ahead of his home Grand Prix, and one where Bez chopped the championship gap to Martin down by a few points.

For Martin, Aragon was a weekend where he simply didn’t have the pace to scrap for a podium. Instead, it was about settling for the absolute maximum possible, which is exactly what the #89 did with a pair of P5s. A cool, calm, and experienced head is on the shoulders of Martin in 2026, who knows from his 2024 title-winning campaign that consistency is key. Having said that, consistency alone isn’t key. The Spaniard was a Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix winner at the San Marino GP in 2023, can he be fighting for those honours again this weekend to keep - or extend - his standings lead?

THE CHASERS

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) endured one of his toughest weekends of the season to surrender valuable points in the championship. A Misano podium would be very much welcomed from the Italian, who needs some big results soon if he’s going to drag himself back into serious title contention.

48 points is the gap from Martin to Di Giannantonio, with Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) now 53 away from the championship lead after his hand injury ruled the Japanese star out of MotorLand. Where will Ogura slot back in?

Then there’s Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). It was a sublime ride on Sunday in Aragon, going toe-to-toe with his 2027 teammate for the majority of the Grand Prix, Acosta showed exactly what he’s about. And while a title tilt looks to be too far of a stretch, the #37 looks set to have a big say on where the 2026 crown ends up. Can Acosta produce more of the same at Misano?

In seventh, Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team). After a Grand Prix to remember at Silverstone, Aragon was the opposite for the Spaniard, who after an unfortunate mechanical issue on Sunday sees his deficit to the top rise to 70 points. Fernandez will be seeking a rapid response this weekend.

MIXED FORTUNES

BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP’s Alex Marquez collected a Sprint silver medal and P4 in Aragon to continue his very solid return to action, and Fermin Aldeguer’s double P6 was a fine way to bounce back after his injury layoff. The Spaniards will be confident of fighting at the front in San Marino. Unfortunately for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, it was a weekend to forget at MotorLand, who now has three Sunday DNFs in his last four outings. The Italian will be desperate to find some forward momentum in front of his adoring fans at Misano. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) too, who goes in search of a return to the top 10 for the first time since the Catalan GP on home soil.

Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) lands at Misano – a circuit ‘The Beast’ won at in 2024 and bagged a debut MotoGP podium at in 2021 – from a P8 finish in Aragon, while Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Sunday P10 didn’t tell the full tale after the South African was shuffled down to P20 at beginning of the Grand Prix and shot back up the order.  And after Pol Espargaro stepped in to replace the injured Maverick Viñales at the last two Grands Prix, the #44 will continue to race at Red Bull KTM Tech3 at Misano as Viñales’ recovery continues.

BUILDING MOMENTUM

How good was it to see Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) back in the saddle? And what a return it was too! Having missed the last six Grands Prix, Zarco sailed into Q2, backed it up with a P9 in the Sprint, and then salvaged a point after his double Long Lap on Sunday. Teammate Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) also impressed, with P7 in the Sprint and a P9 in the Grand Prix secured the Brazilian a second Saturday-Sunday double points haul of the year. That’s now five Sunday top 10s so far for Moreira in 2026, and the #11 bagged top HRC honours in Aragon too. Impressive progress. On the flip side, despite both riders picking up points in Aragon, it was a lowkey weekend for both Joan Mir and Honda HRC Castrol teammate Luca Marini, who will be looking for more at Misano – Marini especially on home turf.

Aragon saw Yamaha back in the top 10 mix too, with Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) leading the charge. It’s four top 12 results on the spin in the lead up to Misano for him. Teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu ended his weekend with a Turn 12 crash, but the Turk was ruffling feathers in the fight for a top 10 too for much of the weekend. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) collected points in P13 at his home Grand Prix, while teammate Fabio Quartararo goes in search of a first Sunday points finish since his German GP P7, at the circuit where he became the 2021 MotoGP World Champion.

37 points a weekend makes every GP a pivotal stage as the pendulum keeps swinging in 2026. Will it remain that trio pulling away at the front? Or can someone make a stand to get back in contention? Tune in for the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera as we take aim at Valencia and ramp up the pressure.