Cru Halliday topped the Superbike times on the Stop & Seal Racing Ducati, narrowly ahead of Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing), while Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) completed the top three. Championship leader Harrison Voight (McMartin Racing) finished seventh, just behind title rival and teammate Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) in sixth.

​Saturday began with the final Superbike Free Practice session of the weekend before qualifying got underway. With only 15 entrants in the category, three riders would miss out on progressing to Qualifying 2. The usual front runners didn’t push in Qualifying 1, opting instead to save their fastest laps for the second session.

When Qualifying 2 got underway, it was quickly stopped after John Lytras (Caboolture Yamaha) suffered a mechanical issue. With a potential oil spill on the circuit, the red flag was shown, and the session was delayed for around 20 minutes. Once the session resumed, it became a Ducati versus Yamaha battle, with Halliday claiming pole position in a time of 1:06.858 as the only rider to break into the 1:06s. He finished ahead of Jones 1:07.062 and Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha Racing Team) with a 1:07.235. Allerton, championship leader Voight, and defending champion Waters filled the second row, with Voight heading into Sunday’s races holding a 24-point lead over Waters. Most Pirelli riders selected the SC1 front tyre, paired with the SCX rear tyre.

Jake Farnsworth (Worth Racing) topped Supersport qualifying with a best lap of 1:10.712. Valentino Knezovic (Addicted to Track) was second fastest on a 1:11.082, while Anupab Sarmoon (Moto Go) completed the front row with a 1:11.263. The SC1 front tyre was the tyre of choice across the field, while rear tyre selections were split between the A1128 and the SCX.

Tom Edwards (BC Performance Racing) secured Next Gen pole after setting a new category benchmark with a 1:10.425. Olly Simpson (DesmoSport Ducati) was a close second with a 1:10.462, and Tom Toparis (Stop & Seal) was third with a 1:10.578. The SC1 front tyre was used throughout the field, while rear tyre choices were divided, with the majority opting for the A1128 and others selecting the SCX.

In Supersport 300 qualifying, Tyler King (Kawasaki) claimed pole position with a 1:20.448, setting the benchmark for the session. Riley Nauta (Kawasaki) was his closest challenger, securing second on the grid with a 1:20.801, while Tara Morrison (Kawasaki) completed an all-Kawasaki front row in third with a 1:21.149. The SC1 was the tyre of choice for all Pirelli riders.

Race 1 of the Superbikes delivered the championship deciding moment, with Harrison Voight securing the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship one race before the season finale. Halliday claimed a hard-fought victory after a thrilling battle at the front, while Voight charged from fifth on the grid to finish second, setting a new Superbike race lap record in the process. Jones completed the podium. Voight’s runner-up finish was enough to put the title beyond Waters’ reach. The young Queenslander now held a 27-point championship lead, making him untouchable. Halliday’s victory also reignited the battle for third in the standings, with that fight set to go down to the final race of the season. The SC1 front tyre was used across the field, while riders opted for the SCX rear tyre.

The final Superbike race of the 2026 season unfolded in challenging wet conditions, with newly crowned champion Harrison Voight electing to sit out the race after wrapping up the title earlier in the day. Olly Simpson (DesmoSport Ducati) made a sensational start from the fourth row to lead the opening 13 laps, but Allerton gradually reeled him in before making the decisive pass on lap 14. From there, Allerton controlled the closing stages to secure victory for Superbike Advocates Racing, with Simpson capping off an impressive weekend in second and Jones rounding out the podium.

Further back, Cru Halliday recovered from a difficult opening lap to finish fifth, a result that secured third place in the final championship standings. Morgan McLaren-Wood (Moto Go) was another standout in the wet, charging through the field to run as high as third before a late mistake dropped him to seventh at the chequered flag. The SCR1 wet tyres, front and rear, were the choice of Pirelli riders.

The Supersport championship tightened in race one as Farnsworth chipped away at Knezovic’s points lead. Farnsworth claimed maximum Supersport points by finishing as the first Supersport rider home. Knezovic came home second in class, holding off a late charge from Sarmoon. Although Farnsworth reduced the championship margin, Knezovic remains in control of the title battle heading into the final race of the 2026 season. Pirelli riders chose the SC1 front tyre, while rear tyre selection was split between the A1128 and SCX.

Race one of the Next Gen class turned up the heat in the title fight, with just four points separating BC Performance teammates Edwards and Hayden Nelson heading into Sunday’s opener. Simpson wasted no time getting to the front, grabbing the lead in the opening corners before pulling away with a blistering pace that left the rest to fight over the remaining podium positions. Edwards and Nelson went head-to-head throughout the race, swapping positions as every championship point counted. Toparis also looked like a genuine contender until a mistake at Turn 3 on lap three dropped him to the back of the field and out of podium contention. With four laps to go, Edwards fought his way back past Nelson for second and held on by the slimmest of margins. Up front, Simpson was untouchable, taking a dominant 3.670-second victory after leading every lap, while Edwards claimed second and Nelson rounded out the podium, ensuring the championship battle stayed alive. The SC1 front tyre was the preferred choice for Pirelli riders, while the A1128 and SCX were the rear tyre options.

The Supersport title was decided in dramatic fashion, with wet conditions and a red flag completely reshaping the championship outcome. Farnsworth did everything required, finishing as the leading Supersport rider, while championship leader Knezovic crashed out on lap six. With the race declared following the red flag, Farnsworth secured his second Supersport class win of the day and wrapped up the 2026 Australian Supersport Championship by 15 points over Knezovic. Sarmoon and Flynn Jacobs (Yamaha Pitmans) completed the Supersport podium for Race 2. Pirelli riders opted for the SCR1 wet tyres at both the front and rear.

Wet conditions added another twist to the Next Gen title deciding race. After rain forced the race to be shortened to 10 laps, Toparis led the early stages before Simpson took control on lap five. The race was red flagged on lap six following a crash, with Simpson declared the winner ahead of Toparis and Nelson. Edwards finished fourth, which was enough to wrap up the Australian Supersport Next Gen Championship. He ended the season on 226 points, six clear of BC Performance Kawasaki teammate Nelson, while Simpson’s race win secured him third in the final standings. The SCR1 wet tyres were the preferred choice for Pirelli riders, front and rear.

The Supersport 300 class produced plenty of action across its three-race weekend, starting with Race 1 on Saturday afternoon. Nauta took the win after a hard-fought battle with King, while Morrison finished third to complete the podium.

Race 2 turned the Championship on its head. Title contender Nauta was caught up in a racing incident and was unable to finish, opening the door for King to take victory. King led home Morrison, while Krittapat Keankum (Yamaha) completed the podium.

The final race of the 2026 season saw Nauta bounce back in style. After Race 2 didn’t go to plan, he was determined to redeem himself and that’s exactly what he did. Nauta claimed the Race 3 victory ahead of King, while Jake Senior (Yamaha) claimed third. All Pirelli riders ran the SC1 front and SC1 rear tyre combination across all three races.

The 2026 Supersport 300 Championship title went to Tyler King, who secured the crown by eight points.

Full Results for Round 5 can be found here… Read our previous round reports here…

The post Pirelli ASBK 2026 Round 5 Report | Harrison Voight Superbike Champ! appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Derived from the Desmo450 MX motocross machine but extensively reworked for enduro use, the Desmo450 EDS is built around a revised version of Ducati’s unique 449.6cc single-cylinder Desmodromic engine. Ducati says the bike has been developed specifically to deliver strong low and mid-range torque, improved traction and reduced rider fatigue while maintaining the high-performance character expected from the brand.

The Desmo450 EDS becomes the only motorcycle in its class to feature Desmodromic valve timing, a hallmark of Ducati engineering that allows strong torque production at lower revs while still delivering impressive top-end performance.

Compared to the motocross-focused Desmo450 MX, the EDS receives extensive changes aimed at enduro competition. These include an 8.5-litre fuel tank, new 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination, Metzeler Six Days Extreme tyres, revised gearing and dedicated protective equipment including handguards, engine guards and reinforced covers.

The aluminium perimeter frame remains central to the design, weighing less than 9kg and consisting of just 11 components. Ducati says the simplified frame architecture reduces weight while maintaining strength and rigidity.

Suspension duties are handled by a new Showa package developed specifically for enduro riding with input from multiple Enduro World Champion Antoine Meo. The 49mm fork offers 310mm of travel and is paired with a fully adjustable rear shock mounted via a progressive linkage system.

Perhaps the most significant technical innovation arrives when the Ducati Performance Racing Kit is fitted. The optional race package introduces what Ducati describes as the world’s first true traction control system designed specifically for enduro riding. Unlike conventional systems that rely on predefined parameters, Ducati Traction Control continuously calculates intervention based on actual rear wheel slip, automatically adapting to changing terrain conditions.

The system can also recognise situations where intervention isn’t required, such as jumps, and temporarily deactivate itself. Riders can manually override traction control via the clutch lever before the system automatically re-engages moments later.

Additional electronics available through the racing kit include Launch Control, Engine Brake Control, Quickshifter functionality and fully configurable Riding Modes accessed through Ducati’s X-Link smartphone app.

Another industry-first feature is Ducati’s adaptive maintenance system. Instead of fixed service intervals, the Desmo450 EDS uses an algorithm that continuously monitors engine stress, riding conditions and operating parameters to calculate real-time wear rates. Service intervals are then adjusted based on actual usage rather than predetermined hours.

Ducati says piston replacement intervals can vary between 90 and 120 hours, while major engine servicing may extend between 180 and 240 hours depending on riding style and conditions.

The Desmo450 EDS will arrive at selected European dealerships in Europe from July 2026, with Ducati confirming global distribution will follow. Australian pricing and local arrival timing are yet to be announced, although a 2027 Australian launch appears likely…

The post Ducati enters Enduro with all-new Desmo450 EDS appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Unlike recent seasons where The Bend hosted the championship finale, the South Australian venue now lands in the middle of the calendar, but the pressure on riders remains just as intense across all five championship classes.

Read our ASBK content here…

In the premier SW-Motech Superbike category, Harrison Voight (McMartin Racing Ducati) arrives with the championship lead after winning three of the opening five races. Teammate and five-time champion Josh Waters sits second, trailing by just 14 points, while Jacob Roulstone (Motocity Honda) holds third after a strong start to his rookie Superbike campaign.

Cru Halliday sits fourth following a pair of podiums at Sydney Motorsport Park, while Anthony West, Cameron Dunker, Glenn Allerton, Mike Jones, Jonathan Nahlous and Jack Favelle remain closely grouped in a tightly contested standings battle.

Jones will be one to watch at The Bend, with three wins and eight podiums from 11 races at the circuit, and will be aiming to bounce back after a subdued start to the season.

Elsewhere, the Kawasaki Supersport championship is led by Jake Farnsworth ahead of Valentino Knezovic and Josh Soderland, while the Supersport Next Gen class sees Olly Simpson narrowly leading Tom Edwards and Hayden Nelson.

The always unpredictable Supersport 300 class has already produced four different winners in five races, with New Zealander Tyler King leading the standings ahead of rookie Orlando Peovitis.

The BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup will also feature at The Bend, with Tom Cameron arriving with a 22-point lead after winning all three races at the Sydney opener.

Fans attending the event can also enjoy off-track entertainment including stunt shows, a trade alley, bike displays and a free Sunday pit-lane walk. Get your tickets here…

The post Stakes rising as Penrite ASBK Championship heads to The Bend appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

It’s been a tougher start to 2026 for Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) at times, but the #73’s Friday afternoon outing at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain saw him right back on top with some searing pace. The 2025 Spanish GP winner ended the opening day of MotoGP action in Jerez with a whopping 0.333s advantage over second fastest Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49), thanks to Marquez’s rapid 1:35.704. World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) completed the top three, while Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) faced Q1 for the first time this season.

Read our other race news here…

Making his mark on home turf, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) was able to bag a first pole of the 2026 season, and first since Hungary 2025, in a classic head-to-head battle for qualifying supremacy in Jerez. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR #5) duelled him to the wire, only a tenth and a half back as the two carved out a league of their own in the damp. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) continued his impressive run in qualifying to complete the front row as the first of those on the chase.

Moto2

Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) was the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s action at the Spanish Grand Prix after the Austin race winner slammed in a new Jerez Moto2 lap record in Practice. The Australian’s 1:38.973 was followed closely by Alonso Lopez’s (Italjet Gresini Moto2 #21) best effort, the Spaniard sat 0.079s away from Agius after the opening day, with FP1 pacesetter Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing #7) third quickest.

For the first time since the 1991 Japanese GP, a Dutchman would line up on pole position in the Moto2 class after Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #95) stuck his Kalex-Triumph next to the P1 board in Saturday’s parc ferme in Jerez. Veijer set a 1:39.101 in an incredibly competitive pole shootout which saw Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team #11) and championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) complete a front row split by just 0.095s.

Moto3

Perfection was the order of the day for Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) as the 18-year-old led the charge on the opening day of his home Grand Prix. P1 across both FP1 and Practice, the #28 firmly laid down the gauntlet to the opposition ahead of Saturday’s qualifying sessions at Jerez.

Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) posted a 1:44.070 to pull an impressive 0.375 clear for pole position in Jerez, with conditions drying out by qualifying for Moto3 and the #28 proving unstoppable. David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #64) took second as he returned from injury and immediately made a mark, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) completing the top three and front row.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

History rarely repeats itself in such dramatic fashion, but Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) managed the extraordinary in Jerez: crashing and still winning the Sprint. The #93 took victory at home ahead of teammate Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo #63), who charged from P10, and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21), who stormed from P18 to the podium.

Marc Marquez launched perfectly from pole, with Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) holding second as the pack shuffled behind. Alex Marquez jumped to third, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) slotted into fourth and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) into fifth. Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) suffered a disastrous start, dropping to P16 after a tear‑off issue.

Marc Marquez began edging clear, but the chase intensified. Martin attacked Alex Marquez, only for the #73 to fight back at Turn 1, forcing the #89 wide as he battled overheating brakes. Alex Marquez then dispatched Zarco for second. With 10 laps to go, rain began to fall and the white flag came out, allowing bike swaps far earlier than usual.

Despite the drops, Zarco and Diggia fought hard for third until Diggia secured the spot, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) climbing to fourth. Behind them, Zarco came under pressure from a KTM trio: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #23) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33). Bastianini eventually broke through.

At the front, Alex Marquez reeled in Marc Marquez and took the lead with six laps remaining, just as Diggia closed in. Then chaos erupted. Rain intensified, Marc Marquez crashed at the final corner, picked the bike up and immediately pitted for wets – a decisive move. Others stayed out, Binder leading the pit‑lane group.

Alex Marquez then crashed too, forcing the rest to pit as conditions worsened. Binder briefly inherited the net lead before falling himself. That opened the door for Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, who blasted past Fermin Aldeguer as the slick gamble collapsed.

Marc Marquez, from P1 to P17 to P1 again, completed a stunning comeback to win ahead of Bagnaia, with Morbidelli taking a remarkable third. Binder salvaged fourth, Diggia fifth, Raul Fernandez sixth and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20) seventh.

“It’s my first victory with a crash, and it’s true that I crashed in the best corner in the best moment. That lap, I was thinking to go in [to the pits], but then Alex [Marquez] was leading the race, and I made the mistake to follow him. But somebody today gave me that extra luck that I crashed on that last corner. I just waited for everybody to pass, and I knew it was the only chance to put the rain tyres on that lap. I saw on the main straight ‘P3’, and I pushed. So happy with this victory,” Marc Marquez reflected.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Francesco Bagnaia (+3.050s)
3. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+7.493s)
4. Brad Binder Red Bull KTM (+8.752s)
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+9.237s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Back‑to‑back home MotoGP wins are the stuff of dreams, and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) delivered exactly that with a superb ride in the 2026 Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain. The #73 mastered a dramatic race that saw Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) crash out of second on Lap 2. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) saw his record‑breaking winning streak end but still claimed a valuable P2, while Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) secured P3 to climb to third in the standings.

Marc Marquez launched perfectly from pole, taking the holeshot as Bezzecchi surged to P2 and Alex Marquez slotted into P3. The Gresini rider quickly moved past Bezzecchi at Turn 9, then attacked Marc Marquez at Turn 6 to take the lead. Moments later, huge drama: Marc Marquez crashed at Turn 11 on Lap 2, suffering a second straight early DNF at Jerez. He walked away unhurt, but his title defence took another hit.

Alex Marquez built a 0.6s gap over Bezzecchi as Di Giannantonio passed Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) for P3 on Lap 5. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) then dropped from P7 to P9 after contact with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) soon moved ahead of the Spaniard as well.

By Lap 10, Alex Marquez led by 1.6s, with Bezzecchi holding Di Giannantonio at bay. Martin remained close in P4, with Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) in P5. Lap 12 brought more Ducati misery as Bagnaia pulled into pitlane with a technical issue, which frustratingly ended his race.

Alex Marquez maintained a steady advantage, keeping Bezzecchi at arm’s length while the Aprilia rider did the same to Di Giannantonio. Behind them, the fight for the top six intensified as Fernandez and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia #79) both passed Zarco with late, decisive moves.

Up front, Alex Marquez managed the final laps perfectly, waving to the packed hillsides before sealing a second straight Spanish GP win. Bezzecchi finished P2 to extend his championship lead to 11 points over Martin, while Di Giannantonio’s P3 moved him up to third overall. Ogura won the P5 battle, with Fernandez P6 and Zarco P7.

“There’s not many words to describe this moment. We struggled a lot at the beginning of the year, but this weekend it looks like we had a good rest that we had in this break over four weeks. We came here 100 per cent motivated and had a good feeling with really good flow. And today for me was clear – go from the first lap and push, trying to take the lead and put my rhythm,” explained Alex Marquez.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati
2. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+1.903s)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+5.796s)
4. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+9.229s)
5. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia (+9.891s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 101
2. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 90
3. Fabio di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 71
4. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 66
5. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 57

Moto2

Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) made history at the Spanish GP, securing back‑to‑back Moto2 wins for the first time after a tense three‑way fight. World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez delivered a dream 1‑2 for the team with P2, while polesitter Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed his first podium of 2026 in P3.

Gonzalez grabbed the holeshot, but Veijer immediately attacked and took the lead at Turn 6. David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #80) suffered a disastrous start, dropping from the second row to P17, while Austin winner Agius climbed to P2. Alonso recovered to P11 by the end of Lap 1, and Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) also surged forward, moving into P5 behind Veijer, Agius, Gonzalez and Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2). Alonso was P8 by Lap 4.

Lap 5 brought a flurry of lead changes as Agius and Veijer traded blows. Then, at Turn 1 on Lap 6, contact between Alonso, teammate Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #96) and Alex Escrig (KLINT Factory Team) dropped the Colombian four places, leaving the #80 and Holgado in P10 and P9 More drama followed. Baltus crashed out of P4 at Turn 6, and moments later, Lopez, newly promoted to P4, also fell. That left a clear three‑rider fight: Veijer, Agius and Gonzalez, four seconds ahead of Escrig.

On Lap 14, Agius made a decisive move at Turn 8, slicing past Veijer for the lead. One corner later, Gonzalez also overtook the Dutchman for P2. Agius led, but the pressure never eased. With three laps remaining, his advantage over Gonzalez was under three tenths, with Veijer another 0.4s back. Heading onto the final lap, the order remained unchanged.

Gonzalez couldn’t close in, and Veijer had nothing left. Agius, threatening this level all weekend, sealed his first Moto2 double, with Gonzalez and Veijer completing the podium. P2 allowed Gonzalez to retain the championship lead.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Senna Agius LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP
2. Manuel Gonzalez LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.885s)
3. Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.107s)
4. David Alonso CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+2.032s)
5. Celestino Vietti Beta Tools SpeedRS Team (+4.212s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 59.5
2. Senna Agius LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP – 50
3. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 – 45
4. Celestino Vietti HDR SpeedRS Team – 43
5. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team – 38

Moto3

An epic Moto3 showdown in Jerez saw Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) return to the top step with his second win of the season, delivering under pressure at his home Grand Prix. The #28 broke clear in the closing laps, while the fight for second went down to the wire as Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) edged out David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) after a fierce final‑lap duel.

David Muñoz grabbed the holeshot but Quiles struck back at Turn 8 to lead the opening lap. Before the race had even settled, Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse #5) failed to launch and Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP‑MTA #18) crashed at Turn 1, ending his strongest weekend of the year.

By Lap 6, Muñoz had reeled Quiles back in, with Fernandez joining the fight and muscling into P2. One lap later, Fernandez took the lead. Behind them, Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #97) held P4 after dropping Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), while a large group battled over fifth. Further back, COTA winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing #94) crashed out, followed a lap later by Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team #10).

On Lap 15, Quiles retook the lead at Turn 1 and immediately upped the pace, dropping into the high 1’44s to assert control. Muñoz stayed close, with Fernandez maintaining touch in P3. But with three laps remaining, Muñoz ran wide at Turn 1, losing over half a second and giving Quiles breathing room. The fight for P2 then tightened as Morelli joined Fernandez and Muñoz in a three‑way scrap.

The final lap began with an Aspar 1‑2, Quiles leading Morelli, while Fernandez and Muñoz prepared for a last‑corner showdown. The pair traded paint at Turns 6, 8 and 9 before the decisive drag to the line. Muñoz launched one final attack at Turn 13, but Fernandez held firm to secure second, with Morelli just behind in P4.

Up front, Quiles was untouchable, sealing his second win of 2026 and capping a dominant home weekend. Carpe finished fifth, Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #9) took sixth and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) crossed the line seventh as Spain locked out the podium in Jerez.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
2. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+1.991s)
3. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+2.009s)
4. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+2.049s)
5. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+9.926s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 90
2. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 53
3. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing – 49
4. Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 – 47
5. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 45

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) went down in the Sprint before remounting and rejoining proceedings on his second bike, only for a pit‑lane speeding penalty to drop him to 16th. In the main race, a rear‑brake problem left him fighting the bike more than the field, as he eventually came home 18th.

Fresh off his win in Texas, Senna Agius arrived at Jerez full of confidence and immediately showed he was still in top form. He qualified fourth to back up his excellent Friday and rightfully felt strong heading into race day. And once the lights went out, he climbed to third on lap one, latched onto the leaders, took second by lap five and then seized control in the final third of the race. From there, he never relinquished his lead, going on to record another superb victory.

After qualifying a solid seventh, Joel Kelso’s (GRYD – MLav Racing #66) race unfortunately didn’t go to plan, as issues with the bike ensured it was a real struggle on his way to 14th.

The post MotoGP 2026 Round 4 Report | Alex Marquez reigns supreme in Jerez appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

The moment came during the weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, which attracted 20,216 spectators who enjoyed perfect autumn weather and thrilling endurance racing. The 2026 edition delivered close competition across the field, with the annual production-car enduro again proving why it has become one of Australia’s most popular grassroots motorsport events.

But for motorcycle fans, the real headline came when a group of riders rolled onto the closed circuit for two special 15-minute demonstration sessions – the first motorcycles to lap Mount Panorama Circuit in a group in 26 years. The sessions were kept under wraps until successful completion Sunday afternoon, used as testers for future planned motorcycle events.

Six riders were invited by Bathurst Regional Council to take part in the historic return: Australian Superbike and International legends Shawn Giles, Roy Leslie and Ken Watson – plus experienced current racer Keo Watson and ex-racers Steve Wood and motorcycling publisher Jeff Ware.

Shawn Giles, multiple Australian Superbike Champion, “I’ve been coming to Bathurst at Easter since I was a child, as my family owned a motorcycle shop. Being back in the pits brings back memories and riding today with Roy Leslie was fantastic. I was getting Déjà vu over the mountain from our 1994 TT battle! The Suzuki GSX-8R was the perfect bike here and I look forward to riding here more often, everything went smoothly and to plan, with safety paramount” …

Roy Leslie, Racing Legend, “This was a great experience and a lot of fun. The last time I rode here was in 1994 racing against Shawn. Today I felt at home on the Ducati almost immediately, and in the second session it all started to come back – I hopped off wishing I had another dozen laps!” …

Ken Watson, Racing Luminary, “A lot of effort behind the scenes has gone into making this happen and everyone involved deserves a big pat on the back as everything went well and, more importantly, safely. It was fantastic to ride here again, the last time for me was the TT in 2000, and riding Mt Panorama on the TZ750 was a thrill” …

Organised through a huge collaborative effort between the event promotors ARG (Australian Racing Group) Bathurst Regional Council, Bathurst Mayor Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor and Motorcycling Australia, the demonstration proved an immediate crowd favourite.

Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor, “Without the efforts of ARG and everyone involved, we would not have been able to make this historic moment happen. After the success of these demonstration laps, I will be meeting with MA and discussing future events and ideas for 2027 and beyond, it was fantastic to witness two wheels back on Mt Panorama” …

The bikes ran on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday morning, with excited fans, officials and car team members lining the fences around the famous circuit to witness the long-awaited return of two wheels to The Mountain.

Judging by the reception from spectators and organisers alike, the future for motorcycles in a non-competitive way at Mount Panorama Raceway suddenly looks very promising. Stay tuned for more news as plans for 2027 and beyond are announced by organisers and promotors.

The post Motorcycles Return To Mt Panorama Bathurst Over Easter appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered a fast off in FP1 at the Red Bull GP of the United States, but come the end of play on Friday, the seven-time MotoGP Champion was back on top at a venue he’s called his own more than any other rider. That said, it was a close-run day on the timesheets, with Ai Ogura (#79) – for home team Trackhouse MotoGP Team – just 0.053 off the top. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) took P3 on Friday, 0.187 off Marc Marquez at the top.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) set a new lap record of 2:00.136 to take pole position at the US GP, making it back-to-back poles for the first time in his career to follow his Brazilian GP glory.

Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) took second before being given a two-place grid penalty for Sunday’s GP, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) in third at the conclusion of a dramatic session. One notable name missing from that front row was eight-time COTA polesitter Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), as the #93 had an adventurous session and would start P6 in Texas.

Moto2

On one side of the CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team box, a lot of joy was had on the opening day of Moto2 action at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the United States after David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #80) set a 2:05.847 to sit 0.494s clear of second-place Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18). Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing #7) ended Practice in P3, 0.606s shy of Alonso, while on the other side of the Aspar box, World Championship leader Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #96) faced Q1 for the second weekend running.

Read our other race news here…

For the first time in Moto2, David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) launched from pole position after converting a dominant Friday into a P1 on Saturday afternoon – or at least that’s what we thought. The 2024 Moto3 World Champion set a storming 2:05.203, a new all-time lap record, to finish just under a tenth and a half ahead of second-place Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), but a post-qualifying tyre pressure penalty meant the Colombian would begin the Moto2 race from P17. Meanwhile, World Championship pacesetter Daniel Holgado was only P15 on the starting line, having come through Q1.

Moto3

Moto3’s opening day of action concluded with Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) setting a new lap record and setting himself as a favourite for honours. A 2:13.757 saw him ease to the top of the standings ahead of Guido Pini (Leopard Racing #94) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83), although there’d be plenty of surprises across Saturday and Sunday.

A dramatic Moto3 qualifying session took us into the sunset, but it didn’t disappoint; a career-first pole was bagged by Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA #78), whilst he was joined by Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3 #73) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI #13).

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) was back on the top step. The #89 delivered a stunning performance in the Tissot Sprint in Texas, hunting down early leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63), making a decisive move on the final lap and crossing the line seven tenths clear to take his first Sprint win since 2024 and his first with Aprilia.

In a chaotic Sprint, Martin then crashed after a celebratory wheelie but was confirmed okay. The race was full of further drama throughout the field. Bagnaia took second after leading early and only losing out on the last lap. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) initially completed the Sprint podium but later fell under tyre pressure investigation, promoting Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #23) to P3.

Early drama saw Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) crash out while attempting a move on Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), collecting the Italian in the process. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) then crashed later on his own while running ahead of Martin. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) also crashed on the final lap while attacking Acosta for third.

At the start, Acosta launched well from P3 but was challenged by Marquez into Turn 1. Bagnaia judged the apex perfectly to take the lead, with Acosta second and Diggia battling Marquez for third. Bezzecchi dropped to P7 early. Marquez then crashed out while trying to pass Di Giannantonio, ending both their podium hopes and earning a Long Lap penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Bagnaia controlled the front with a small gap while a group fought for second, including Acosta, Mir, Martin and Bezzecchi. By mid-race, Bagnaia began to edge away as the battle behind intensified. Martin and Bezzecchi progressed forward, both Aprilias moving ahead of Acosta, while Mir slipped to fifth and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati #73) closed in.

Bezzecchi passed Martin for second with a move at Turn 11, but crashed out at the same corner with three laps remaining, handing second back to Martin. On the final lap, Bagnaia’s lead collapsed under pressure from Martin. Martin attacked at Turn 12, making a clean but decisive move to take the lead and secure victory. Bagnaia finished second and Acosta was initially third before his penalty promoted Bastianini to P3. Alex Marquez took fourth, Mir crashed out late and Luca Marini finished fifth.

“It’s been a while, two years without racing here, and I really missed it. I took a maybe risky decision going with the medium [rear tyre], but I knew inside of myself that it was the right choice. It paid off. I had to wait until the last lap, and I’ve never won in MotoGP a race like this one,” Martin explained.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing
2. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+0.755s)
3. Enea Bastianini Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+3.199s)
4. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+3.638s)
5. Luca Marini Honda HRC Castrol (+5.521s)

Sunday
MotoGP

The #72 won an incredible fifth Grand Prix in a row, becoming only the third Italian rider ever to achieve the feat and the first to win the opening three GPs of a season since Marc Marquez in 2014.

It was also an Aprilia 1-2 for the second consecutive time, as Jorge Martin followed up Tissot Sprint victory with a Sunday podium, while Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completed the podium in third.

Acosta launched superbly from the front row to take the holeshot, with Marco Bezzecchi also making a strong start into second and Martin jumping into third. Early drama came immediately as Acosta ran deep into Turn 11, allowing Bezzecchi to cut underneath. The pair ran side-by-side on exit and made contact, with a piece of Aprilia debris flying off. Bezzecchi held the lead, Acosta recovered and Martin settled into third.

Behind them, battles intensified throughout the pack. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) fought Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) before Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) also moved through.

Bezzecchi set a new modern-era record by leading more consecutive Grand Prix laps than any rider, surpassing Jorge Lorenzo’s 103-lap record and extending it to 104 by Lap 4. Marc Marquez served his Long Lap penalty for his Sprint incident, while Mir also served a Long Lap before crashing out later in the race.

At the front, Martin attempted a move on Acosta but was initially denied before nearly losing control at Turn 1 and dropping back into the fight with Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia. At mid-race distance, Bezzecchi led Acosta by around a second, with Martin, Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia close behind. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were also making strong progress through the field.

Ogura executed clean overtakes on Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio before targeting higher positions, while Marc Marquez climbed back into the group after his penalty. However, Ogura’s charge ended with a technical issue, forcing him to retire. The fight for fifth intensified between Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Bastianini and Alex Marquez, with multiple position changes and aggressive overtakes throughout the group.

At the front, Bezzecchi maintained control, managing a gap of around 1.7 seconds over Martin in the closing stages. He extended his record to 121 consecutive laps led and became only the third Italian ever to win five consecutive Grands Prix, alongside Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini. Martin secured second to complete another Aprilia 1-2, marking the factory’s second consecutive double podium finish, while Acosta held on for third after a strong ride. Di Giannantonio finished fourth as top Ducati, Marc Marquez took fifth, Bastianini sixth and Alex Marquez seventh.

“I’m very happy because yesterday I made a mistake, and it was important to make a good race today. The mood here in Texas was amazing. Yesterday I was very sad, and they [the whole team] gave me an extra push to try to bounce back today. Let’s try to keep like this,” Bezzecchi said.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
2. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+2.036s)
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+4.497s)
4. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+6.972s)
5. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+8.100s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 81
2. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 77
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 60
4. Fabio di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 50
5. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 45

Moto2

Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #81) had a difficult opening couple of rounds but delivered a brilliant ride to take a third career victory in Moto2. The #81 resisted a late charge from Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team #13), with the #13 taking a first podium of the season, whilst the rostrum was completed by Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28).

The holeshot honours went to Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #21), but all eyes were behind as a collision at Turn 1 ended Championship leader Daniel Holgado’s (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Joe Roberts’ (OnlyFans American Racing Team #16) Grand Prix. A bigger incident then followed at Turn 11 on the opening lap involving Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team #12), Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI #36), David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #95), Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #3), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team #17) and Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #54), bringing out the red flag.

Ahead of the restart, multiple riders were handed Long Lap Penalties, including Holgado, Munoz and Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing). On the restart, Lopez again took the holeshot before Baltus briefly led at Turn 13, but he still had to serve his penalty. Agius quickly moved into P2, then passed Baltus for the lead on Lap 3 at Turn 12.

Behind, Vietti charged through, overtaking Izan Guevara and then Lopez. Baltus briefly retook the lead on Lap 5 but dropped after serving his LLP, rejoining in P7. Alonso climbed from 17th to the top five, showing a strong recovery drive.

At the front, Vietti took the lead down the back straight, but Agius responded immediately. With two laps to go, Agius launched a decisive move at Turn 3 and controlled the final lap. Despite heavy pressure, he held on to win ahead of Vietti, with Guevara completing the podium.

Alonso finished fourth after a superb comeback, Gonzalez took fifth, and with it, moved into the Championship lead.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Senna Agius LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP
2. Celestino Vietti HDR SpeedRS Team (+0.497s)
3. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (+0.908s)
4. David Alonso CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (+1.843s)
5. Manuel Gonzalez LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (+2.729s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 39.5
2. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 – 36
3. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team – 33
4. Celestino Vietti HDR SpeedRS Team – 32
5. Daniel Muñoz Italtrans Racing Team – 26

Moto3

Guido Pini (Leopard Racing #94) is a Moto3 Grand Prix winner! The Italian came out on top in final-corner fisticuffs at COTA, claiming victory by just 0.056. Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) took second, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the podium after his final corner attack on Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) saw both head wide and lose out on a 1-2.

Carpe took the holeshot from pole ahead of Perrone, with Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse #67) losing out off the start as Quiles went full send into Turn 1 and grabbed third. The two orange machines were streaking away in the lead early doors, but Quiles got the hammer down to tag back on, with the Leopard Racing duo of Pini and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) next up the road.

After it had been a seven-rider fight early doors, Joel Esteban (LEVELUP – MTA) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #9) were out of that with 10 to go as Pratama crashed out and Esteban couldn’t avoid the bike. Both riders were okay but the group was down to five before Fernandez started to fade, leaving four riders fighting for three places on the podium.

By three to go, the gloves started to come off. Pini attacked Quiles at Turn 11 and got the lead momentarily before being denied and then tried again at Turn 12 – this time hooking it up and keeping it. With that shuffle at the front, Carpe was right back in it and the four-rider fight really started to heat up.

Onto the last lap, Perrone led Pini, but Carpe slotted into second. Pini then lost out to Quiles at Turn 11, with the long back straight seeing everyone absolutely pinned. But it was Carpe who led out of 12. Then Perrone attacked at 13, Carpe repaid him through 17-18, Perrone was back through in style at Turn 19 and Carpe took it back again a corner later. But it all went down to the final corner.

Carpe went for the win and sliced up the inside, with Perrone pushed out wide and the #83 only just keeping it on track too. The door was open for the duo behind them, and neither Pini nor Quiles needed a second invitation. In their drag race to the line, Pini took it by 0.056, with Quiles second and Carpe holding on to third. Perrone, after a stunning race, was forced to settle for fourth.

Fernandez took fifth, with a huge fight behind going to the wire too.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Guido Pini Leopard Racing
2. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+0.056s)
3. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.254s)
4. Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+0.445s)
5. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+9.192s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 65
2. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 42
3. Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 – 38
4. Guido Pini Leopard Racing – 36
5. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 32

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) battled through the 10-lap Sprint to finish 14th before fighting through to 16th in Sunday’s race at Circuit of the Americas. Aware there’s still plenty of work to do despite, he still extracted some positives from the weekend. Senna Agius enjoyed a superb round in Austin, which began with him qualifying sixth after securing direct Q2 entry from Friday practice.

After a red-flagged start in the main dance, he charged into contention on the restart to take the lead early before controlling the race with aplomb to the finish to oust Vietti. It marked his third Grand Prix win and moved him up to sixth in the standings. Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing #66) ensured a frustrating race at COTA, as, despite running in sixth place with six laps remaining, 4.8 seconds behind the pair ahead, his race ended following an untimely crash.

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Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Castrol Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco (#5) fronted the MotoGP pack after mixed conditions on Day 1 played out at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil, in a rain-affected afternoon stint that saw Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) round out the top three, with Thai GP winner Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) heading for Q1 after a P20 finish on Friday.

Read our other race news here…

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) then came out on top in a dramatic Q2 in Brazil, moving through from Q1 to head the grid despite a crash on a lap that would have put him even quicker. His 1:17.410 saw him secure pole ahead of fellow Q1 graduate Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) forced to settle for third after a crash on his first run. He was far from the only one.

Moto2

Battle lines were drawn on a groundbreaking opening day at Goiânia in Moto2, with Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing #14) leading the way. Behind him, Buriram winner Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18) and David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #80) completed the top three in what turned out to be a Friday that featured all four seasons. A wet but drying morning followed by wind and spots of rain but overall dry running in the afternoon, Goiania’s unpredictability was mirrored by the weather.

Delayed to Sunday, Moto2 qualifying saw Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #96) dominate both sessions and take pole with a 1:20.711s lap record. Alonso completed an Aspar 1-2, just 0.017s behind.

Moto3

David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #22) went quickest in Friday Practice at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil, but it was just 0.050 covering the top three at the end of both the day and session. Second went to New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports #14), just 0.003 off the top, with Indonesian rookie Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #9) 0.047 further back in third.

A dramatic Moto3 qualifying session took us into the sunset, but it didn’t disappoint; a career-first pole was bagged by Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA #78), as he was joined by Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3 #73) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI #13), with the Malaysian taking a mighty career-first front row in Goiania.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) vs Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) went to the wire in the Tissot Sprint in Brazil, the pair split by just two tenths after a tense cat‑and‑mouse duel to the flag. Completing the podium, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) enjoyed an emotional return as the 2024 World Champion stood on the box for the first time since the Solidarity GP, showing renewed strength as he returned to full fitness.

Diggia launched perfectly from pole to take the holeshot, while Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20) made a stunning start to slot into third and immediately attack Marc Marquez for second. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) slipped to fourth, and behind them Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54) had a wild moment off the line as his machine snapped sideways before launching, though the pack avoided him and the race settled.

Up front, Diggia held half a second lead as Lap 3 began. Marc Marquez struck back on Quartararo into Turn 1, the Frenchman then running slightly wide and losing out to Bezzecchi before Martin picked him off as Lap 4 started. Diggia was already 1.2 seconds clear. Marc Marquez ran second, Bezzecchi third and Martin fourth, but the #72 went deep at Turns 10 and 11, allowing his #89 teammate through. Behind them, Quartararo fought fiercely with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79), the #20 digging in as Marc Marquez began reeling in the leader.

By Lap 10, Ogura had passed Quartararo, and Marc Marquez was within half a second of Diggia. Further back, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) traded blows for P8 before Bagnaia chased Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73).

With three laps left, Marc Marquez struck. He powered past Diggia out of Turn 12, but the #49 clung on. The gap ebbed and flowed until the final lap, Diggia closing rapidly and searching for a move at Turn 6. Marc Marquez held firm, even surviving a twitch at the final corner, to claim his first Sprint win of the season and his 16th overall, drawing level with Martin for most Sprint victories.

Martin completed a superb comeback ride to third, his first podium with Aprilia Racing. Bezzecchi took fourth to stay second in the standings, now two points behind Acosta after the #37 finished ninth. Ogura claimed fifth, with Quartararo delivering a gritty ride just behind.

“An important victory, a super important victory. Especially because in Thailand I was suffering. Here, I feel already a step [forward], but I’m still not riding as I want. But we keep pushing, and we will try tomorrow to fight again with Fabio, who is super fast,” Marquez stated.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+0.213s)
3. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+3.587s)
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+4.061s)
5. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia (+4.994s)

Sunday
MotoGP

History made! MotoGP was back in Brazil, and Marco Bezzecchi was back on top as the Aprilia Racing rider took a stunning fourth Grand Prix win in a row in Brazil, and for the first time in Aprilia’s history. To add to the headlines for the Noale factory, teammate Jorge Martin banked second place to back up his return to the rostrum on Saturday.

Completing the podium, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) defeated Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) on their rematch after the Sprint showdown, the #49 turning the tables in style. After a poorer start on Saturday, Bezzecchi nailed it on Sunday to take the holeshot, with Di Giannantonio slotting into second from pole and Marc Marquez holding third. Martin was fourth, with one big mover off the line proving to be Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he went from P9 to P5. Onto Lap 2, Marc Marquez took over in second, and not long after that, Acosta found a way past Martin. At the front though, Bezzecchi had the hammer down, with the gap starting to grow as the laps ticked on.

On Lap 6, a big move came in from Di Giannantonio – a lunge with a big effect. The #49 steamed up the inside of Marc Marquez, and both went wide, with Martin needing no invitation to pick their pockets. The Aprilia swept past both into second place, around two seconds off his teammate’s lead. Diggia remained where he was but with a different bike ahead, and Marc Marquez dropped to fourth.

The fight behind was heating up too. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) passed Acosta into fifth, and by halfway Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had joined the group.

Up front, Bezzecchi held firm while Martin reduced the gap slightly before settling into second. The fight for third reignited – a Sprint re-run.

With five to go, Marc Marquez passed Diggia at Turn 6 to take third, but the #49 struck back a lap later when the #93 ran deep, retaking the place for good.

Bezzecchi crossed the line to win a fourth Grand Prix in a row and take the Championship lead – a first for both him and Aprilia, who also lead the constructors. Martin secured second, making it a 1-2 for Aprilia. Di Giannantonio held on for third, with Marc Marquez fourth, Ogura fifth, Alex Marquez sixth and Acosta seventh.

“Today I made a step, so very happy with the pace and the performance. It was a big surprise, I expected to have a similar race to yesterday. It shows the guys are working super hard, and their effort is amazing. They’re giving their heart always. Seeing them like this, I cannot do anything more than giving my all as well,” Bezzecchi explained.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
2. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+3.231s)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.780s)
4. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+4.089s)
5. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia (+8.403s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 56
2. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 45
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 42
4. Fabio di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 37
5. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo -34

Moto2

Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) secured a hard-earned victory at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil as a two-way battle unfolded between the new title race leader and Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team #17). Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) rounded out the rostrum after passing Alex Escrig (KLINT Factory Team #11) on the final lap in Goiania.

Having earned a debut front row earlier, Escrig grabbed the holeshot, with Muñoz flying from P11 to P2 on Lap 1. Polesitter Holgado was third, while David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) dropped to P7 from second on the grid.

On Lap 2, Muñoz took the lead with a move on Escrig at Turn 6, and by Lap 3, Holgado climbed to P2 before passing Muñoz to lead for the first time. By Lap 6, the top five, Holgado, Muñoz, Escrig, Alonso and Gonzalez, were over a second clear. On Lap 10, Gonzalez repassed Alonso for P4, but both remained over a second behind Escrig, leaving work to do.

Alonso then dropped back into a battle with Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) and Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing), falling to P7. Up front, Holgado continued to lead Muñoz and Escrig, with Gonzalez still over two seconds adrift.

With five laps to go, it became a Holgado vs Muñoz fight, just 0.3s apart, while Gonzalez closed in on Escrig for P3. Muñoz made his move with two and a half laps remaining, but Holgado responded immediately, retaking the lead on the long straight and edging clear. On the final lap, Holgado held a 0.7s gap, while Gonzalez passed Escrig at Turn 4 to snatch P3. Holgado clinched his first Moto2 win of the season, with Muñoz second and Gonzalez third. Escrig took a career-best P4, while Alonso held off Guevara and Arbolino for P5.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team
2. Daniel Munoz Italtrans Racing Team (+1.226s)
3. Manuel Gonzalez LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (+3.916s)
4. Alex Escrig KLINT Racing Team (+4.497s)
5. David Alonso CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+8.652s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team – 33
2. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 28.5
3. Daniel Muñoz Italtrans Racing Team – 24
4. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 – 20
5. Alex Escrig KLINT Racing Team – 15

Moto3

A sensational fightback from Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) saw the 18-year-old take victory in Goiania after an early red flag stoppage turned the race into a five-lap dash. He was pushed hard by teammate Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #97), who secured a first Moto3 podium in second, while history was made in P3 as Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) claimed his first podium – Indonesia’s first in any Grand Prix class. Championship leader David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) crashed out from the lead before the red flag and couldn’t restart.

At the first start, polesitter Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) took the holeshot, but by mid-Lap 1 it was an Argentine 1-2 with Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Morelli leading. Quiles climbed to P2, while Almansa surged into the top five from 14th. Lap 7 saw Esteban crash from the lead group, and on Lap 13 Almansa fell from P1. Soon after, Scott Ogden (CIP – Green Power #19) crashed, bringing out the red flag. Almansa was unhurt but ruled out of the restart.

In the five-lap sprint, Quiles grabbed the holeshot again, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) and Guido Pini (Dynavolt Intact GP #94) battling behind. Positions changed frequently, but Quiles remained in control.

On the final lap, Morelli closed in, but nothing could deny Quiles, who took victory and the Championship lead. Morelli completed an Aspar 1-2, while Pratama secured a historic third, holding off Carpe and Pini, with rookie Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #27) finishing sixth.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
2. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+0.143s)
3. Veda Pratama Honda Team Asia (+1.650s)
4. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.741s)
5. Guido Pini Leopard Racing (+1.786s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 45
2. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 28
3. Veda Pratama Honda Team Asia – 27
4. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 26
5. David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 25

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller’s (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) 200th MotoGP race was over almost as soon as it began, as a crash on Lap 2 ended what initially had looked like a promising weekend, which saw him bag 12th earlier in qualifying. Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) endured a tough weekend at the office. Still feeling the impact of losing his mechanic and struggling with the difficult track conditions, the 20‑year‑old never found his rhythm but valiantly pushed through to salvage 19th.

Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing #66) started solidly from the third row, as he was running steadily in 11th when the race was red-flagged. In the five-lap restart, things didn’t go to plan, for he dropped back early but fought back admirably through the field to finish 12th.

The post MotoGP 2026 Round 2 Report | Aprilia secure historic 1-2 in Brazil appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) wasted no time stamping his authority on the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, smashing the Buriram lap record on Friday with a stunning 1:28.526. The Italian’s effort bettered his own test benchmark and left the field chasing shadows on the opening day of the season.

Bezzecchi completed a clean sweep of Friday by topping both sessions, finishing four tenths clear of reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93), who salvaged second late in the session after briefly looking at risk of missing the automatic Q2 spots.

Read our other race content here… and Full Qualifying from Buriram here...

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) completed the top three after leading the timesheets for much of the session, showing impressive consistency across his runs. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) continued his strong pre-season form in fourth, while Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) returned to competition in style to claim fifth despite a small crash earlier in the day.

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) ended the day sixth ahead of Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36), who was Honda’s top performer in seventh. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33) secured a Q2 berth in eighth, while rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79) finished ninth despite a late fall at Turn 7. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) rounded out the top ten.

The biggest shock of the session came for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63), who failed to improve late in the session and ended Practice down in 15th, forcing the two-time MotoGP champion into Q1.

Moto2

2025 Thai Grand Prix winner Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) picked up where he left off by topping Friday’s rain-hit Moto2 Practice with a new all-time lap record of 1:34.501.

Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team #11) and Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) completed the top three, separated by just 0.185 seconds, while several high-profile names were caught out by worsening conditions.

David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #80) was among the riders left frustrated after rain arrived in Sector 1 late in the session, dropping the Colombian to 22nd and forcing him into a stacked Q1 session alongside race winners including Alonso Lopez, Joe Roberts, Tony Arbolino, Deniz Öncü and Aron Canet. Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #27) and Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia #64) finished fourth and fifth respectively, while Australia’s Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) impressed with sixth fastest.

Moto3

Moto3’s opening day in Thailand saw David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #22) set the early pace as the Spaniard topped Friday’s Practice session. Almansa was the only rider to dip into the 1:40s with a best lap that left him just under a tenth clear of fellow Spaniard Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83). Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) completed the top three after an impressive showing for the Argentine.

Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) finished fourth ahead of teammate Marco Morelli, while Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power #19) rounded out the top six in an all-KTM-heavy session. Honda’s best performer was rookie Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team #74) in seventh, just ahead of Indonesian debutant Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #54). Irish rider Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse #67) also impressed in 13th, securing a direct place in Q2.

One of the big names to miss out was David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #64), who ended the day 16th and was forced to fight through Q1.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

The 2026 MotoGP season erupted into life with an instant classic at Buriram as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) claimed his first ever Sprint victory after a breathtaking duel with reigning World Champion Marc Marquez. The 13-lap dash delivered fireworks from the start as Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) initially led the race after an early scrap with Marquez before disaster struck on Lap 2 when the Italian crashed at Turn 8 while leading comfortably.

That moment handed the lead to Marquez, but Acosta immediately went on the attack. The KTM star launched multiple attempts at the Ducati rider over the following laps, each pass becoming increasingly aggressive as the tension built. Acosta finally made a decisive move late in the race, but contact between the pair on the penultimate lap brought the stewards into action. Marquez lunged up the inside at Turn 12 and made contact with Acosta, forcing the KTM rider wide.

Race Direction immediately launched an investigation and handed Marquez a one-position penalty. The Spaniard served it dramatically at the final corner, backing off to allow Acosta through before trying to strike back on the exit.

Acosta crossed the line to take his maiden Sprint win and become the first KTM rider to lead the MotoGP World Championship. Marquez held on for second, narrowly keeping Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) behind as the Aprilia rider completed the podium. Fernandez’s teammate Ai Ogura finished fourth in an impressive performance for the Trackhouse squad, while Jorge Martin completed the top five on his return to racing with Aprilia. Further back, Brad Binder, Joan Mir and Fabio Di Giannantonio filled the next three positions, while Francesco Bagnaia salvaged the final Sprint point in ninth.

“This is an incredible way to start the season. The fight with Marc was intense and fair, and taking my first Sprint win like this feels amazing,” Acosta said.

Tissot Sprint Race Results
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM
Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+0.000s)
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia
Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia
Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing

Sunday
MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi delivered the perfect response to his Sprint crash by dominating Sunday’s PT Grand Prix of Thailand and giving Aprilia Racing a dream start to the 2026 MotoGP season.

The Italian converted pole position into a commanding victory at Buriram, finishing comfortably ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in a race packed with drama.

The result also ended Ducati’s remarkable podium streak of 88 consecutive Grands Prix, the first time since the 2021 British Grand Prix that no Ducati rider finished on the Sunday rostrum. Bezzecchi grabbed the holeshot at the start and immediately established a strong rhythm at the front, while Fernandez wasted no time attacking Marc Marquez for second place at Turn 7 on the opening lap.

Jorge Martin briefly joined the battle before Acosta began carving his way through the field. The KTM rider dispatched Marquez at Turn 12 and then fought his way past Martin to move into podium contention. As Bezzecchi controlled the race from the front, the fight behind intensified between Acosta, Fernandez and Marquez. The reigning champion remained within striking distance until disaster struck late in the race when a rear tyre puncture forced the Ducati rider to retire.

More drama followed when Alex Marquez crashed out at Turn 4 and Joan Mir was also forced to retire with tyre problems after running strongly inside the top six. With chaos unfolding behind him, Bezzecchi cruised to victory to secure his third consecutive Grand Prix win following his triumphs in Portugal and Valencia last season.

Acosta produced another superb ride to finish second and leave Thailand as the MotoGP World Championship leader, while Fernandez battled through shoulder pain to secure a double Round 1 podium for the Trackhouse Aprilia team.

Jorge Martin marked his return to racing with a strong fourth place finish ahead of rookie Ai Ogura, while Fabio Di Giannantonio was the top Ducati rider in sixth. Brad Binder finished seventh ahead of Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia, while Luca Marini rounded out the top ten.

“It’s incredible to start the season like this. After the Sprint crash we stayed calm, trusted the bike and today everything worked perfectly,” Bezzecchi said.

MotoGP Race Results
Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+)
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+)
Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing
Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 32
Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 25
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia – 16
Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 13
Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia – 11

Moto2

Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) launched his 2026 Moto2 title campaign in perfect fashion with victory in a dramatic season opener at Buriram.

The race was interrupted twice by red flags before a seven-lap sprint decided the outcome. Gonzalez eventually defeated Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) in a tense late-race duel, while Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) secured the final podium position.

Guevara initially grabbed the holeshot but early chaos saw several riders run wide, allowing Holgado to take the lead before the first red flag appeared following a crash involving Senna Agius, David Alonso and Filip Salac.

After a second restart and a seven-lap dash to the finish, Gonzalez stalked Guevara before making a decisive move at Turn 7 on the penultimate lap. Guevara attempted a final attack around the outside at the last corner but Gonzalez held firm to claim the opening victory of the season.

Moto2 Race Results
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (+)
Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+)
Ivan Ortola QJMOTOR – Pont Grup – MSI
Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo

Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez – 25
Izan Guevara – 20
Daniel Holgado – 16
Ivan Ortola – 13
Collin Veijer – 11

Moto3

Moto3 delivered its usual chaos to kick off the 2026 season as David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) secured his maiden Grand Prix victory in a breathtaking final-corner showdown with Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team).

The pair battled throughout the race before Quiles launched a last-gasp attack at the final corner. Almansa defended perfectly and powered to the line to win by just 0.003 seconds — equalling the closest finish in Moto3 history.

Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completed the podium after winning a late battle for third ahead of Alvaro Carpe.

Moto3 Race Results
David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar (+0.003s)
Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+)
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo
Veda Pratama Honda Team Asia

Moto3 Championship Points
David Almansa – 25
Maximo Quiles – 20
Valentin Perrone – 16
Alvaro Carpe – 13
Veda Pratama – 11

How Did the Aussies Do?

It was a challenging opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season for Australia’s riders at Buriram.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) faced a tough weekend aboard the Yamaha package. After qualifying down in 18th, the Queenslander fought through the opening race but ultimately crossed the line in 15th place, finishing as the best of Yamaha’s four riders in the Thai Grand Prix despite the bike’s clear pace deficit.

In Moto3, Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) endured a difficult race after showing flashes of speed earlier in the weekend. The Australian eventually finished 14th in the season opener, just over 17 seconds behind race winner David Almansa.

In Moto2, Senna Agius’ weekend was one of mixed fortunes. The young Australian delivered a stunning performance in qualifying to claim his first Moto2 pole position, but his race unravelled early after being caught up in a multi-rider incident that triggered the first red flag. Although able to take the restart, the drama effectively ended his chances of fighting for the podium.

Despite the tough start to the season for Australia’s contingent, all three riders will be eager to bounce back when the MotoGP paddock heads to Brazil for Round 2.

The post MotoGP 2026 Round 1 Report | Buriram Thailand. appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Roulstone (Motocity Honda) produced one of the rides of the weekend in race two, launching from third position on the final lap to snatch his maiden ASBK Superbike victory in just his second start. In contrast, Voight (McMartin Racing Ducati) was untouchable in race three, delivering a clinical, front-running performance to underline his status as an early title favourite.

With a 1-4-1 scorecard across the three races, Voight emerged as the overall round winner and leaves Phillip Island with a six-point championship lead over Roulstone, 68 points to 62, heading into round two at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 27–28. Cameron Dunker (Blue Marlin Pools Racing Yamaha) sits third overall on 56 points.

“I’m chuffed with how things have gone this weekend,” Voight said. “My pace was great, and even in the mixed conditions of race two I was thinking about the championship. Overall, it’s been a fantastic start to the year.”

SW-Motech Superbike

Light drizzle played a significant role in both 11-lap Superbike races, creating constant tyre-choice headaches for teams and riders. After a frantic switch to slicks following the sighting lap of race two, defending champion Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) launched strongly and controlled the race until the closing moments.

Waters came under increasing pressure from Glenn Allerton before being overwhelmed on the final lap, with Dunker slicing through at Turn 2 and Roulstone diving past at Turn 4. Roulstone then executed a perfectly judged move on Dunker exiting Turn 10 to secure a sensational breakthrough Superbike victory. Waters held on for third ahead of Voight, Glenn Allerton, Anthony West, Mike Jones and Cru Halliday.

Race three belonged entirely to Voight. Breaking away from the pack almost immediately, the 19-year-old reeled off a blistering 1:30.855 on lap three – just shy of his own circuit benchmark – before managing his advantage as drizzle returned late in the race. It marked Voight’s third Superbike victory at Phillip Island in only seven starts.

Behind him, the battle for the podium remained intense. Roulstone briefly ran off on lap eight and dropped to seventh, but mounted a strong recovery to finish fourth behind Voight, Jonathan Nahlous and Dunker. West completed the top five ahead of Waters, Allerton and Jack Favelle. After round one, Waters sits fourth in the championship standings on 50 points, followed by Nahlous (47), West (45), Allerton (42) and Jones (42).

Kawasaki Supersport and Supersport Next Gen

Declared a wet race but ridden at dry-race intensity, the final Kawasaki Supersport/Supersport Next Gen encounter delivered one of the finishes of the season. Olly Simpson (DesmoSport Ducati) claimed victory by a scarcely believable 0.001 seconds after drafting past Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati) at the line.

Simpson had nearly thrown away his chances moments earlier with a near-crash at Turn 9, allowing Toparis to take lead. Refusing to concede, Simpson regrouped and struck back in the final metres to seal his second win of the weekend.

Tom Edwards (BCperformance Kawasaki) was close behind in third ahead of Jake Farnsworth, Hayden Nelson, Will Nassif, Roberto Tamburini and rookie Ghage Plowman. Tamburini leads the Supersport standings after round one on 69 points, while Simpson tops Supersport Next Gen from Edwards and Nelson.

Race and Road Supersport 300

Morning drizzle created sketchy conditions for the final Race and Road Supersport 300 race, but it mattered little to Tara Morrison (Kawasaki), who dominated the shortened four-lap encounter for a commanding three-second victory.

It marked Morrison’s third Phillip Island win in the past nine races and lifted her to third in the championship standings. Lincoln Knight (Yamaha) finished second, while Jordy Simpson completed a clean sweep of third places for the weekend. The 2026 ASBK Championship now moves to Sydney Motorsport Park for round two on March 27–28.

Full results can be found for all classes here…

Round one of the Penrite Australian Superbike Championship delivered a fitting finale at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with Jacob Roulstone and Harrison Voight claiming the SW-Motech Superbike honours in dramatically different fashion on Sunday. Press: ASBK Media Photos: RbMotoLens

Roulstone (Motocity Honda) produced one of the rides of the weekend in race two, launching from third position on the final lap to snatch his maiden ASBK Superbike victory in just his second start. In contrast, Voight (McMartin Racing Ducati) was untouchable in race three, delivering a clinical, front-running performance to underline his status as an early title favourite.

With a 1-4-1 scorecard across the three races, Voight emerged as the overall round winner and leaves Phillip Island with a six-point championship lead over Roulstone, 68 points to 62, heading into round two at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 27–28. Cameron Dunker (Blue Marlin Pools Racing Yamaha) sits third overall on 56 points.

“I’m chuffed with how things have gone this weekend,” Voight said. “My pace was great, and even in the mixed conditions of race two I was thinking about the championship. Overall, it’s been a fantastic start to the year.”

SW-Motech Superbike

Light drizzle played a significant role in both 11-lap Superbike races, creating constant tyre-choice headaches for teams and riders. After a frantic switch to slicks following the sighting lap of race two, defending champion Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) launched strongly and controlled the race until the closing moments.

Waters came under increasing pressure from Glenn Allerton before being overwhelmed on the final lap, with Dunker slicing through at Turn 2 and Roulstone diving past at Turn 4. Roulstone then executed a perfectly judged move on Dunker exiting Turn 10 to secure a sensational breakthrough Superbike victory. Waters held on for third ahead of Voight, Glenn Allerton, Anthony West, Mike Jones and Cru Halliday.

Race three belonged entirely to Voight. Breaking away from the pack almost immediately, the 19-year-old reeled off a blistering 1:30.855 on lap three – just shy of his own circuit benchmark – before managing his advantage as drizzle returned late in the race. It marked Voight’s third Superbike victory at Phillip Island in only seven starts.

Behind him, the battle for the podium remained intense. Roulstone briefly ran off on lap eight and dropped to seventh, but mounted a strong recovery to finish fourth behind Voight, Jonathan Nahlous and Dunker. West completed the top five ahead of Waters, Allerton and Jack Favelle. After round one, Waters sits fourth in the championship standings on 50 points, followed by Nahlous (47), West (45), Allerton (42) and Jones (42).

Kawasaki Supersport and Supersport Next Gen

Declared a wet race but ridden at dry-race intensity, the final Kawasaki Supersport/Supersport Next Gen encounter delivered one of the finishes of the season. Olly Simpson (DesmoSport Ducati) claimed victory by a scarcely believable 0.001 seconds after drafting past Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati) at the line.

Simpson had nearly thrown away his chances moments earlier with a near-crash at Turn 9, allowing Toparis to take lead. Refusing to concede, Simpson regrouped and struck back in the final metres to seal his second win of the weekend.

Tom Edwards (BCperformance Kawasaki) was close behind in third ahead of Jake Farnsworth, Hayden Nelson, Will Nassif, Roberto Tamburini and rookie Ghage Plowman. Tamburini leads the Supersport standings after round one on 69 points, while Simpson tops Supersport Next Gen from Edwards and Nelson.

Race and Road Supersport 300

Morning drizzle created sketchy conditions for the final Race and Road Supersport 300 race, but it mattered little to Tara Morrison (Kawasaki), who dominated the shortened four-lap encounter for a commanding three-second victory.

It marked Morrison’s third Phillip Island win in the past nine races and lifted her to third in the championship standings. Lincoln Knight (Yamaha) finished second, while Jordy Simpson completed a clean sweep of third places for the weekend. The 2026 ASBK Championship now moves to Sydney Motorsport Park for round two on March 27–28.

Full results can be found for all classes here…

The post ASBK Round 1 | Sunday Reports, Roulstone and Voight Rule appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

TISSOT SUPERPOLE RACE

Sunday morning’s Tissot Superpole Race proved unpredictable as light rain fell shortly before the start, creating mixed grip conditions and forcing riders to adapt on slick tyres.

Starting from the middle of the front row, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) quickly asserted control, stalking early leader Yari Montella before making a decisive move at Turn 10 once the rain intensified. From there, Bulega managed the conditions superbly to secure his second win of the day and maximum points heading into Race 2. Montella made a dream start, claiming the holeshot into Turn 1 and leading his first-ever WorldSBK laps.

The Barni Spark Racing Team rider held firm in the early stages but gradually slipped back as the rain increased, eventually finishing just outside the podium in fourth. The Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team enjoyed a breakthrough result, with Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes delivering a double podium for the Italian manufacturer. Bassani’s second place marked his first WorldSBK podium since 2023, while Lowes successfully defended third under pressure from Montella in the closing laps.

Behind the podium fight, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) ran closely together throughout, while Alvaro Bautista and Iker Lecuona capitalised on the conditions to recover from deep grid positions and secure valuable points and improved starting positions for Race 2.

TISSOT SUPERPOLE RACE – Top 10 Results
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +2.752s
3. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +3.563s
4.  Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)
5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team)
6. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team)
7. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team)
8. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha)
9. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
10. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

A torrential downpour made Race 2 treacherous, but Bulega converted pole into the lead and controlled the race throughout. He was over a second clear after one lap, five seconds ahead at half distance and 11 seconds in front at the flag in a masterclass of wet-weather riding.

Read our race news and WorldSBK features here…

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) started from the front row and battled the Lowes brothers early on before settling into third for much of the race. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) showed strong pace and passed Bassani on Lap 2, but crashed heavily at Turn 9 on Lap 16. His misfortune promoted teammate Alvaro Bautista to his first podium of the season.

Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) capitalised on the wet to secure a career-best fourth, while Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) crashed later in the race, easing Mackenzie’s run to the finish. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) led the Yamaha charge in fifth, ahead of Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

Having spent the early stages of the race in podium contention, Sam Lowes suffered a high-speed crash at Turn 3. The ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider was diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and contusions to his right hand and left ankle. Bulega leaves the opener with a 20-point lead over Bassani, while Montella remains third despite his Race 2 crash. Ducati tops the Manufacturers’ Standings by 20 points, with all six manufacturers scoring during the weekend.

Nicolo Bulega – “It was an amazing weekend. Honestly, it was incredible. The Superpole Race this morning was a bit tricky because it started to rain and we were on slick tyres. I had to be very careful but we won and I really enjoyed the race. I was a bit angry before Race 2 because I knew I had a very good feeling and strong pace in the dry but it started to rain. I tried to turn that frustration into positive energy to win in the wet as well. I started well and had a good feeling from the start. The track became quite slippery but I managed to win again. I’m really happy.”

Axel Bassani – “It’s been a really nice Sunday. We’ve been fast all week and had good, consistent pace. We were always inside the top five and I felt good with the bike. In the wet conditions I didn’t expect this result because during testing in the wet the feeling wasn’t great. I was cautious at the start and focused on being consistent and not making mistakes. In the end it worked. I want to thank the whole team for their hard work. We showed this morning, with both bikes on the podium, that the team is working very well. Alex is also fast and it’s been a really strong Sunday for us.”

Alvaro Bautista – “We tried a new setup and it helped me a lot. I felt more comfortable with the bike. During the Superpole Race, I was positive because I started from P12 and finished seventh. Our pace was good enough to fight for the podium, as I caught the front group, but the race was too short. In any case, I was happy with the feeling and the speed. In the wet for Race 2 it was a lottery. Finishing third was a good way to end the weekend. We’ll keep working to improve.”

WorldSBK – Race 2 Top 10 (Full results here…)
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +11.336s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +17.790s
4. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) +28.356s
5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +30.966s
6. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +31.901s
7. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
8. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
9. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team)
10. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team)

WorldSBK – Championship Standings (after Round 1)
1. Nicolo Bulega – 62 points
2. Axel Bassani – 42
3. Yari Montella – 26
4. Lorenzo Baldassarri – 25
5. Alvaro Bautista – 19
6. Iker Lecuona – 19
7. Tarran Mackenzie – 17
8. Miguel Oliveira – 17
9. Sam Lowes – 16
10. Danilo Petrucci – 16

WorldSSP 600

A heavy rain shower before Race 2 left the grid gambling between wet tyres and slicks. The top riders who opted for slicks were rewarded, with Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) claiming victory in his debut WorldSSP weekend. From last on the grid, Aldi Satya Mahendra completed a stunning one-two for the team.

Jaume Masia, winner on Saturday for Orelac Racing Verdnatura, started from pole but chose wets and was forced to pit for a tyre change, finishing inside the top ten. Title rival Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) rebounded after pitting to take fifth at the flag.

Aussie Oli Bayliss was one caught up in the tyre issue, having to pit and change to slicks, stopping any chance of a second podium finish for the weekend, however, his race one form is a sign that the NSW rider is going to be a great one to watch for Australian fans this season…

Albert Arenas – “It feels great to win again! This has been a very special weekend. It’s been difficult though because we had some issues. We overcame them and to take the win was very satisfying. We tried both rain tyres and slicks in the warm-up and that helped us make our decision for the race. It was raining when I went to the grid but I could feel the bike was still rideable. I checked several weather forecasts and decided to take the gamble. In the end, it worked. It’s nice when the risk pays off.”

WorldSSP – Race 2 Top 10 (Full results here…)
1. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team)
2. Aldi Satya Mahendra (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +4.937s
3. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) +13.967s
4. Alessandro Giombini (Motozoo by Puccetti Racing) +50.953s
5. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +1’25.203s
6. Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) +1 lap
7. Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) +1 lap
8. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +1 lap
9. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +1 lap
10. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +1 lap

WorldSSP Championship Standings (after Round 1)
1. Albert Arenas – 38 points
2. Jaume Masia – 31
3. Matteo Ferrari – 26
4. Philipp Oettl – 25
5. Aldi Satya Mahendra – 23
6. Can Oncu – 22
7. Oli Bayliss – 20
8. Roberto Garcia – 17
9. Alessandro Zaccone – 17
10. Andrea Giombini – 13

The post WorldSBK Round 1 | Bulega Wins On Sunday, Bimota Double Podium appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....