MotoGP Catalan GP Recap - Di Giannantonio triumphs in shortened Grand Prix after double red flag

MotoGP Recap - Di Giannantonio triumphs in shortened Grand Prix after double red flag

Round Six of the 2026 MotoGP season saw more action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was absent from the paddock as he continued recovering from his recent double surgery, following his crash during the Sprint last time out. Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Maverick Viñales was declared fit to ride following weeks of rehabilitation after undergoing corrective surgery, and Yamaha’s test rider, Augusto Fernandez was also riding this weekend.

Acosta takes first pole position in 588 days

After leading the way in Friday’s Practice, Pedro Acosta claimed his first pole position since the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, 588 days later. Acosta’s lap time gave Red Bull KTM Factory Racing their first pole since the 2020 European GP with Pol Espargaro.

Having come through Q1 with Jorge Martin, Franco Morbidelli set a lap that saw him line up 2nd on the grid, with Alex Marquez rounding out the front row. A crash during Q2 for Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi saw him starting from 12th.

Alex Marquez takes Sprint victory

Saturday afternoon saw the closest ever Sprint finish, with just 0.041 seconds separating Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta as they crossed the line. Whilst Acosta was able to fend off Marquez and lead into the first corner, the polesitter was down to 3rd for much of the Sprint, after being passed by both Marquez and Raul Fernandez. With four laps remaining, Acosta was able to claw back 2nd from Fernandez, and close in on the race leader. Acosta pushed Marquez right to the line, but it was Alex Marquez who took the win, ahead of Acosta, with Fabio Di Giannantonio finishing 3rd after passing Fernandez with two laps remaining.

Di Giannantonio takes second premier class win after double red flag

Fabio Di Giannantonio finished ahead of Joan Mir and Fermin Aldeguer to take his second premier class victory, 910 days after his first win at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, in a shortened race following a double red flag.

The first red flag was brought out during Lap 12 of Sunday’s race, after a technical issue for Acosta’s KTM saw him slow down whilst leading the race, causing Alex Marquez to collide with Acosta, which resulted in a horrific crash for Marquez, whose damaged bike then sent debris flying across the track, hitting several riders, including Di Giannantonio and Raul Fernandez. Marquez received medical attention trackside, and was then taken to the medical centre before being transferred to hospital. An update from his team confirmed that Marquez sustained a fracture to his C7 vertebrae, and also fractured his right collarbone. Marquez has since undergone surgery to insert a plate to stabilise the collarbone, and has been discharged from hospital.

The race was restarted under the quick start procedure, with all riders apart from Alex Marquez and Enea Bastianini (who had crashed during Lap 10), deemed eligible to participate. However red flags were brought out again following an incident at Turn 1 involving Bagnaia, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco. Bagnaia and Marini were able to walk away after the crash, but Zarco, who was caught up in Bagnaia’s bike during the incident, required medical attention. Zarco was taken to the medical centre before being transferred to hospital. LCR Honda revealed that Zarco was diagnosed with damage to the cruciate ligaments, and a small injury to his fibula. Zarco has since travelled to France and will meet with a knee specialist to decide the next steps for recovery.

Tyre pressure penalties see Bagnaia promoted to podium

Four riders (Joan Mir, Jack Miller, Alex Rins, and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu) all received tyre pressure penalties following Sunday’s race, adding 16 second sanctions to their race times. The penalty saw Mir lose his 2nd place finish and drop to 13th, promoting Aldeguer to 2nd, and Bagnaia to 3rd, his first Grand Prix podium of the season.

Gonzalez secures second Moto2 victory of the season

A strong start from Manuel Gonzalez saw him take the lead in Sunday’s Moto2 race, though polesitter Celestino Vietti was quick to pass the Moto2 Championship leader. Vietti held onto the lead for much of the race, but with three laps remaining, Gonzalez made his move and was back at the front. Whilst Vietti was able to stay with Gonzalez for the final laps, rear grip struggles for both riders meant Vietti was never quite able to attempt an overtake. Gonzalez crossed the line to take his second Moto2 victory of the season, followed by Vietti in 2nd, with Izan Guevara taking 3rd.  

Quiles takes Moto3 win in race to the line

Maximo Quiles climbed from 7th on the grid to take his third consecutive win in Moto3, his fourth victory of the 2026 season. After Moto3 rookie Brian Uriarte got a brilliant start and led the first lap, riders began swapping positions, with a group of nine riders all vying for a spot on the podium. The battling continued into the last lap, and the final corner saw David Muñoz move up the inside of race leader Quiles, but Quiles got the better run to the line and took the chequered flag, with Alvaro Carpe finishing 0.004 seconds ahead of Muñoz to take 2nd, with Muñoz taking 3rd.

Acosta tops the timings at MotoGP’s Barcelona test

Acosta was back on top of the timesheets on Monday as MotoGP took part in a day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With rainfall between the two sessions impacting track conditions, teams chose to not participate in the afternoon session, ending the day earlier than scheduled. A crash for Martin brought out red flags during the morning session, and the Aprilia Racing rider was taken to hospital for tests, though it was later confirmed that Martin suffered no fractures.

Tech3 signs new deal with KTM

It was announced this weekend that Tech3 will continue to work with KTM, following the signing of a multi-year agreement. The satellite MotoGP team has worked with KTM since 2019, but the future of the partnership had looked to be at risk following KTM’s financial struggles last year, and Tech3’s new ownership, with rumours circulating that they could move working with Honda. However, this new agreement solidifies the partnership for the foreseeable future.

Riders and teams now get a much-deserved break, before heading to the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello for the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy at the end of May. 

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