Acosta Sets the Pace as Marquez Faces Early Challenge at COTA
The 2026 MotoGP US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) kicked off with a dramatic first practice session. KTM’s Pedro Acosta topped the timing sheets, although reigning world champion Marc Marquez experienced a high-speed crash, ultimately finishing fourth.
Marquez’s Dramatic Crash and Recovery
Marc Marquez’s weekend got off to a frightening start with a crash at Turn 10, reaching a speed of 192 km/h. Despite the severity of the incident, Marquez walked away with only bruising to his right hand and arm. He impressively rejoined the session and secured fourth place, just 0.157s behind Acosta.
Acosta Leads the Way
Pedro Acosta set the fastest time of 2m01.715s, leading a competitive field. Fabio Di Giannantonio followed closely in second, with Jorge Martin rounding out the top three. Acosta’s performance signals a strong start for KTM at a track where Marquez has historically dominated, with seven previous wins.
Looking Ahead: Qualifying and Sprint Race
The MotoGP action continues with Free Practice II on Saturday night, followed by qualifying sessions to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s races. The sprint race, a 10-lap event, is scheduled for early Sunday morning. Marquez will be aiming to capitalize on his COTA experience and secure a victory, having won the sprint race at the previous round in Brazil.
Aprilia’s Rising Momentum
Aprilia is also looking to build on recent successes, with Marco Bezzecchi winning the Thailand Grand Prix and the Brazil Grand Prix, and teammate Jorge Martin finishing second in Goiania. The US Grand Prix presents another opportunity for Aprilia to showcase its competitiveness.
2026 US MotoGP Schedule
Saturday, March 28th
- 22:10 WIB Free Practice II
- 22:50 WIB Q1
- 23:15 WIB Q2
Sunday, March 29th
- 03:00 WIB Sprint Race (10 laps)
Did you know?
Marc Marquez is a seven-time winner at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
FAQ
Q: Who topped the first practice session at the 2026 US MotoGP?
A: Pedro Acosta.
Q: What happened to Marc Marquez during FP1?
A: He crashed at Turn 10 at a speed of 192 km/h but walked away with only bruising.
Q: When is the sprint race scheduled?
A: Sunday, March 29th at 03:00 WIB.
Q: Which team has been performing well recently?
A: Aprilia, with wins from Marco Bezzecchi and a second-place finish from Jorge Martin.
Stay tuned for further updates as the 2026 MotoGP US Grand Prix unfolds!
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