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MotoGP: Bezzecchi shines in Qatar floodlights as more records fall with Michelin
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MotoGP: Bezzecchi shines in Qatar floodlights as more records fall with Michelin

08/11/2026

The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, Round 20 of the 2026 MotoGPTM World Championship, was won by Aprilia Racing's Marco Bezzecchi, ahead of Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team). Michelin rose to the challenge of the famously abrasive track to contribute to three new records. Read on for more about what happened at the QatarGP...

 

After claiming pole-position with a new track record (1m50.028s), Bezzecchi dominated Sunday's race on medium Michelin Power Slicks front and rear to score his sixth grand prix success of the season. The Aprilia rider crossed the line three seconds clear of sprint-victor Marquez after also establishing a new shortest race-duration benchmark (41m29.173s).

 

Marquez found a way past Fernandez to ease into second place on the 19th of the afternoon's 22 laps after clocking the fastest race-lap 13th time around (1m52.558s).

 

Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) were fourth and fifth behind Fernandez who got away to a strong start. Seventh was Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) who came third in Saturday's sprint despite still recovering from an arm injury.

 

A coating of sand is a feature of Qatar, making it a big challenge for tires. Michelin's package for the weekend performed strongly, however, and Friday's Free Practice 2 saw Fabio Di Giannantonio better the previous track record. The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider was then imitated by several comrades during qualifying, with Bezzecchi ultimately posting the best effort. The entire grid opted for medium slicks front and rear for the grand prix when Marquez improved on the previous race-lap record and Bezzecchi set a new shortest race-duration benchmark.

 

The result takes Marquez further clear at the top of the provisional championship standings. The Ducati star is now 60 and 74 points clear of Martin and Bezzecchi respectively and could make sure of the 2026 crown in a fortnight's time in Portugal.

 

Next round: Repsol Grand Prix of Portugal, Portimao (November 20-22).