Pedro Acosta kicked off the 2026 MotoGP season with a victory in the sprint race at the Thailand Grand Prix. The KTM rider now leads the championship standings after a dramatic race at the Buriram Circuit.
The 13-lap race saw Acosta engage in a fierce battle with reigning champion Marc Marquez, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the contest.
The decisive moment came on lap 12 when Marquez, attempting an inside pass on Acosta, forced the KTM rider wide, sending him off the track. Stewards subsequently penalized Marquez for the move.
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The penalty handed the win to Acosta as he crossed the finish line, marking his first victory of the season. Acosta now leads the championship with 12 points, while Marquez sits second with nine.
Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez finished third, securing seven points, followed by teammate Ai Ogura with six. Aprilia rider Jorge Martin rounded out the top five, earning five points.
KTM’s Brad Binder finished sixth with four points, while Honda’s Joan Mir secured seventh place and three points. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46) took eighth with two points, and Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia completed the points-paying positions in ninth.
Current MotoGP 2026 Standings:
1. Pedro Acosta (KTM) – 12 points
2. Marc Marquez (Ducati) – 9 points
3. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) – 7 points
4. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Racing) – 6 points
5. Jorge Martin (Aprilia) – 5 points
6. Brad Binder (KTM) – 4 points
7. Joan Mir (Honda) – 3 points
8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46) – 2 points
9. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) – 1 point
(adp/aff)
