Bezzecchi Dominates COTA as Aprilia Secures Stunning 1-2 Finish

Record-breaking fifth straight victory for Bezzecchi, Martin completes Aprilia dominance while Acosta claims podium in Austin.

Subscribe to our Instagram Channel for instant news & updates!

Marco Bezzecchi delivered a sensational performance at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), securing his fifth consecutive MotoGP victory and continuing a historic run with Aprilia Racing. The Italian rider’s triumph also marked an impressive Aprilia 1-2 finish, with teammate Jorge Martin coming home second, while Pedro Acosta completed the podium in third.

Bezzecchi’s dominant form places him among elite company, becoming only the third Italian rider in history to win five Grand Prix races in a row. He also etched his name into the record books by becoming the first rider since Marc Marquez in 2014 to win the opening three races of a MotoGP season.

Early race drama sets the tone in Austin

The race began with a strong launch from Pedro Acosta, who grabbed the holeshot from the front row. However, Bezzecchi quickly moved into contention, with Martin also making rapid progress into the top three. Tension peaked early in the race when Acosta ran wide at Turn 11, allowing Bezzecchi to dive up the inside.

The pair made contact on corner exit, briefly clashing fairings, but both riders managed to continue without losing significant ground. Bezzecchi held firm at the front, with Acosta and Martin close behind. Further back, battles intensified between Fabio Di Giannantonio, Marc Marquez, and Francesco Bagnaia, with positions changing rapidly in the opening laps.

Bezzecchi breaks all-time lap record

By Lap 4, Bezzecchi had already made history by surpassing Jorge Lorenzo’s 2015 record for most consecutive laps led, extending it beyond 104 laps and eventually pushing the benchmark even further to 121 laps by the end of the race.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez served a Long Lap penalty following an earlier incident, dropping him down the order and forcing him into recovery mode for the remainder of the race.

Aprilia takes control as Martin moves into second

As the race progressed, Martin ramped up the pressure on Acosta and eventually found a way pass to secure second place, locking in a strong Aprilia 1-2 position. Despite a brief scare at Turn 1, Martin maintained composure and kept his podium hopes intact.

Behind them, several intense battles unfolded, with Ai Ogura and Enea Bastianini making aggressive moves through the field before a technical issue ended Ogura’s impressive charge. Marc Marquez, meanwhile, fought his way back through the pack and engaged in a fierce battle with Bagnaia and Bastianini in the closing stages.

Bezzecchi seals victory, Aprilia shines

Out front, Bezzecchi remained in control, managing the gap to Martin before crossing the finish line 1.7 seconds ahead. The victory not only extended his winning streak but also reinforced Aprilia’s growing dominance in the 2026 MotoGP season.

Martin’s second-place finish secured back-to-back 1-2 finishes for Aprilia, highlighting the team’s strong momentum in the championship battle. Acosta held on to third place, adding a valuable podium to his growing MotoGP resume.

Di Giannantonio finished fourth as the top Ducati rider, while Marc Marquez recovered to fifth despite his earlier penalty. Enea Bastianini, Alex Marquez, Raul Fernandez, and Luca Marini rounded out the top positions.

Eyes turn to Jerez after dramatic COTA weekend

Following an action-packed race weekend in Texas, teams and riders will now shift their focus to the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. With Aprilia currently leading the charge, the European leg of the season promises even more excitement as the title fight begins to take shape.