MotoGP: 5-in-a-row for Bezzecchi as Michelin helps records tumble at Austin

Marco Bezzecchi won the Red Bull Grand Prix of the United States (Round 3 of the 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship) to claim a fifth straight victory for himself and Aprilia Racing. The Italian finished clear of team-mate Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Austin is a notoriously specific challenge but Michelin's Power range provided a further display of its potential by contributing to three new records for the Texan venue. Read on for more about about happened during the USA GP weekend...

The recent pattern seen in motorcycle racing's premier series continued as Bezzecchi emerged once more as the man to beat during Sunday's grand prix. In doing so, he became the championship's first rider to spend 121 consecutive laps in the lead, bettering previous best (101) held by Jorge Lorenzo since 2015.

Despite being relegated two places on the grid, the Aprilia rider got away superbly from fourth at lights-out to complete the first of the afternoon's 20 laps in front. On a combination of medium front and rear MICHELIN Power slicks, like the rest of the field, he then used his tires' grip and consistency to pull gradually clear. He went on to complete the distance unchallenged, more than two seconds ahead of Saturday's sprint winner Martin who made it a one-two finish for Aprilia for the second race running.

Pole-winner Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) were third and fourth.

Michelin's slicks were competitive all weekend. During Q2, they helped no fewer than eight riders better the previous lap record, established in 2024, with Di Giannantonio having the last word with a time of 2m0.136s.

The previous day, Martin had been the only rider to opt for medium Michelins front and rear for the the sprint race, all the others having opted for the soft rear.

In the course of the grand prix itself, the existing race-lap record was beaten several times, ending up in the hands of Ai Ogura (2m2.037s, TrackHouse MotoGP Team). Meanwhile, Bezzecchi shaved a whole 19 seconds off the previous shortest race-distance record!

The result has put Bezzecchi back on top of the championship's provisional standings with a score of 81 points, followed by Martin (77) and Acosta (60).

Next round: Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain, Jerez (April 24-26).