MotoGP riders reflect on the weekend that was at C...

Spherical Three – COTA

Marco Bezzecchi – P1

“Saturday I made a mistake that I ought to have prevented, however the workforce was very near me. At this time it was vital to experience race. I’m extraordinarily completely happy and thrilled. I’ve been dreaming about doing properly on this monitor that I’ve at all times appreciated for a very long time, however I had by no means managed to complete the way in which I needed to till now. Driving such an awesome race was unbelievable.”

Jorge Martin – P2

“I’m actually completely happy and very grateful to Aprilia. I gave my all and that makes me very proud. Saturday, I achieved the aim of profitable the dash race and I gave it my all on Sunday as properly. Marco was unbelievable: I attempted to make up floor behind him, however I used to be pushing too exhausting bodily and I needed to decelerate within the final three laps. I’ve at all times struggled on this monitor, so to be on the rostrum right here after my absence final 12 months is implausible.”

Pedro Acosta – P3

“Not the calmest first lap! I used to be completely happy as a result of I wanted a brand new bike after my crash in warm-up and the fellows needed to rebuild it, so they’re the heroes of the weekend. I’m completely happy, we’re on the rostrum once more and we hold this prime 5 consistency.”

Fabio Di Giannantonio – P4

“Total, it was a optimistic weekend, I’m very completely happy. We arrived right here in Austin and I wasn’t at 100% of my bodily situation, so I’ve to thank Christian, the physiotherapist, and the entire workforce for the work they did to assist me get well with my shoulder. We’ll have to endure some checks to grasp what’s happening, as a result of I struggled a bit bodily. Apart from that, we’re in nice form, we’re placing strain on the entrance riders though there’s nonetheless a niche in the mean time. We have to work each with the workforce and Ducati to shut that hole. We all know the place we have to enhance and we’re already doing it. We’re nonetheless lacking one thing within the race. It’s not the consequence we needed, as a result of if you’re competing at a excessive degree you at all times intention for the rostrum, however immediately I gave my greatest and fourth was the utmost we might obtain. There are nonetheless many positives to take residence: I bought pole place and set many quick laps. I’m actually completely happy.”

Marc Márquez – P5

“Sadly we paid the worth for yesterday’s mistake. An long-lap penalty in MotoGP, particularly early on within the race, drops you down into the center of the sector. I wasn’t feeling snug within the first laps and I used to be shut to creating the identical mistake once more, however then because the grip pale I began to experience properly and have enjoyable, battling with a number of riders. We should remember that this was solely the third Grand Prix of a really lengthy season, however we additionally need to admit that Bezzecchi, proper now, is absolutely quick. Now we have to maintain inching nearer to the entrance and give attention to the small particulars, as we’re not lacking a lot and I do know I can do higher than this.”

Enea Bastianini – P6

“I’m very pleased with this consequence as a result of it was not a straightforward race. At first, I misplaced the rear in Flip 3 after which, after some contact, the airbag deployed, which made issues tough for some time. After that, I attempted to search out my tempo lap by lap and shut the hole to the riders in entrance. On the finish, I caught Marc, and it was a tough battle as a result of he was pushing lots within the ultimate laps. I attempted to get nearer out of Flip 11 to have an opportunity into Flip 12, however we have been lacking a little bit of acceleration. Nonetheless, we have been aggressive underneath braking and that could be a optimistic. We might be happy with this weekend. I made a mistake in Qualifying, which made the race harder, however it’s good to be again combating near the entrance once more. Now we should hold working and proceed like this in Europe.”

Alex Marquez – P7

“At this time I made a number of overtakes, so I’m a bit extra happy in comparison with yesterday. It was the consequence I anticipated immediately; we didn’t have the tempo to be among the many greatest, and ranging from the third row I couldn’t ask for extra. We nonetheless scored factors and introduced residence one of the best consequence attainable. Proper now we have to hold working and proceed bettering to achieve the extent of the entrance runners. With the manufacturing facility bike it at all times takes a bit extra time to get all the things completely arrange.”

Raul Fernandez – P8

“It didn’t go like we anticipated however when you find yourself thirteenth on the grid it’s fairly tough to overhaul. We knew that and tried our most. The nice factor is, the sensation with the bike is again like in Thailand and I felt fairly snug. However, when we now have a protracted straight, we have to discover one thing additional making an attempt to battle with others. Principally, I believe in all areas I really feel snug, nevertheless it’s not fairly sufficient to be with the highest group, so we have to discover this little additional. In the course of the race I attempted to handle the scenario, saving the tires for the final a part of the race. It was good by way of race tempo, coming from the thirteenth place. I’m not completely happy, however to take factors in these sorts of races is vital. Total, we did weekend however the unhealthy factor was the Qualifying and in Jerez we now have to work a bit more durable within the Observe to attempt to be in Q2 immediately.”

Luca Marini – P9

“At this time was fairly straight ahead, all the things got here from the beginning. I used to be already minus two positions, and I made a extremely unhealthy begin, which could be very unusual as a result of the begins have been one in all our strongest factors on the Honda. It’s one thing we have to verify as a result of I misplaced some positions. The optimistic is I had some very nice battles additional again because it was fairly a chaotic race within the opening laps – it was enjoyable, however after I arrived to Fernandez, the tempo of everybody was very shut. At this time the wind modified route, so it modified our braking factors, I targeted on hitting my marks and within the final lap I noticed Bagnaia was not having a straightforward time. This race exhibits that the extent of everybody has improved lots and we nonetheless have work to do to interrupt into that prime eight.”

Francesco Bagnaia – P10

“Already from the nice and cozy up, I didn’t have the identical feeling, as I used to be struggling to hold the identical pace into the corners as in earlier days. I wasn’t absolutely snug at first of the race: there was much less rear grip, however I attempted to handle it. I noticed that Diggia was making an attempt to bridge the hole to the leaders and I attempted to stick with him, however then the grip bought clearly worse. With 4 laps to go, I attempted to push a bit more durable with a view to defend myself from Marc (Márquez) and Enea (Bastianini), however the ultimate two laps have been a nightmare: I had a close to crash each time I leaned into the right-hand corners. Sadly, we are able to’t make the bike cease and switch the way in which we’d like, so we have to proceed working in these areas.”

Fermin Aldequer – P11

“It was a sophisticated weekend and bodily robust. Within the dash I already felt the shortage of tempo on a MotoGP bike, however we scored factors and managed to race and end all of the races with out crashing. At this time was robust, a really lengthy race, however we now have to be happy. Final 12 months, after three races, we didn’t have this many factors.”

Brad Binder – P12

“A extremely lengthy race and I simply couldn’t discover any tempo all weekend. I had chatter at first and have become an increasing number of, particularly on full lean. I wasn’t anticipating that. Two twelfth locations is nowhere close to adequate. Now we have some severe homework to do to be higher for Jerez.”

Diogo Moreira – P13

“After not having the ability to perceive my feeling within the Dash as a result of early retirement, immediately’s race was demanding, however I managed to complete, battle, and rating factors once more. The previous two weeks have been each gratifying and difficult at instances, however we’re doing job and constantly bettering. Due to everybody!”

Franco Morbidelli – P14

“It was a troublesome weekend. We struggled on daily basis, though much less and fewer every day. At this time within the race we managed to attain two factors: it’s not what we would like, nevertheless it was vital to complete the race to collect info and knowledge. The sensation with the bike wasn’t nice this weekend, we didn’t have rear grip. However, we began from additional again and improved an increasing number of as the times went on. That’s a optimistic facet. Now we now have a number of weeks off, we’ll hold coaching and dealing with the workforce to do higher and return to our greatest.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu – P15

“At this time was a really robust race for everybody, however I used to be pushing greater than 100% as a result of I actually needed to attain my first level. Ultimately, I achieved it, and I‘m very completely happy. One other optimistic is that I‘m beginning to get pleasure from using the bike extra in the course of the race, and I‘m studying lots. I adopted Fabio for a number of laps and was capable of perceive extra about his using model and the monitor, which is essential for me at this stage. Race by race, weekend by weekend, we’re bettering, and that makes me completely happy. In fact, that is only the start — now the aim is to continue to learn and begin combating for higher outcomes. We now have a number of weeks earlier than the following race, so I’ll proceed coaching and are available again able to hold working, ranging from Spain.”

Jack Miller – P16

“Total, we made some steps ahead over the weekend, and I‘m fairly pleased with the final set-up of the bike. There are nonetheless some areas, particularly within the DNA of the bike, that we have to hold engaged on and refining, however for now we‘re doing one of the best we are able to with what we now have. The vital factor is that we‘re beginning to perceive the bike higher and construct a clearer route for the longer term. We all know there‘s nonetheless work to do, however we‘re staying targeted and persevering with to push the undertaking ahead. Now I‘m wanting ahead to getting again to Europe — having races nearer collectively ought to assist us hold the momentum, deliver some updates, and proceed creating in the suitable route.”

Fabio Quartararo – P17

“I didn’t count on the tyres to drop like that on the finish. I used to be managing the tyres, however they nonetheless dropped within the final 5 laps. Yamaha is aware of what we’d like and what we have to do. Toprak impressed me all weekend, although. The way in which he rides is absolutely easy and really a lot his model, like we’ve seen in WorldSBK – it’s good.”

Alex Rins – P18

“We had an digital situation in immediately’s race that was affecting the bike. At first I used to be feeling good. I used to be in entrance of Miller, and I used to be going to catch Toprak. However on lap 8, I began to come across a difficulty, and that’s it. It was fairly robust to handle.”

Ai Ogura – DNF

“For certain me and my workforce usually are not completely happy about what occurred in immediately’s race. I don’t know what to say. I’m simply so sorry for the Trackhouse Group, all people works so exhausting however, in the long run, we couldn’t get what we deserve. My workforce remains to be checking what went improper, this isn’t my half. On the finish of sector one I began to see a warning and after that the bike wasn’t actually going anymore. For certain, there’s additionally loads of positives to take from this weekend. It was good that we have been actually, actually aggressive, particularly in the primary race.”

Johann Zarco – DNF

“One other rider went to the within of a rival in Flip 8, and this one needed to go vast. I used to be feeling properly and doing job, however attributable to that scenario, I needed to go in figuring out we would have liked to vary route. He tried to return again, and in the mean time of contact my bike fell in Flip 9. It was a racing incident, I don’t complain, these items occur. It was a consequence of what occurred at that second. In any case, I used to be feeling good and we might have taken a stable consequence. I made a decision to proceed to collect info, and I used to be capable of be quick though we have been far behind, so it was helpful to grasp many issues.”

Joan Mir – DNF

“A disappointing technique to end a weekend that had loads of promise. I used to be ready yesterday and immediately to assault, get well lots on entry and see what was attainable. When I’m alone I can experience properly and quick, within the slipstream with these bikes it’s important to threat twice as a lot to make up time. Lastly the entrance went, we have to enhance the rear to achieve one thing extra on nook exit as a result of this could occur when you find yourself using the entrance so exhausting. I like figuring out I’ve an opportunity, that is good and we now have improved lots in comparison with after I first began with Honda and I do know that we are able to hold working collectively to enhance an increasing number of.”

Massimo Rivola – Aprilia Racing CEO

“It was a memorable Sunday for Aprilia Racing, with two actually excellent riders and an especially aggressive bike. I’m very happy with the demonstration of the synergy between the work carried out in Noale and on monitor. Clearly, all of this doesn’t cut back our drive — quite the opposite, it provides us much more motivation to proceed creating the bike. What occurred immediately is one thing historic, destined to go down within the document books. Nonetheless, we nonetheless have to hold bettering, as a result of what occurred to Ai Ogura is tough to simply accept. I’m very sorry for him, for Justin Marks and Davide Brivio of the Trackhouse MotoGP Group. At this time there was the possibility to see three Aprilias on the rostrum and, when these alternatives come up, it’s important to take them.”

Davide Brivio – Trackhouse Aprilia Group Principal

“To be trustworthy, we’re fairly disillusioned immediately and attempt to transfer on. Ai Ogura was doing a implausible race! He did the quickest lap of the race, was recovering from P10 at first and I believe we might have gotten onto the rostrum. It was there however then, sadly, there was an issue on the engine and the bike stopped. Ai needed to retire and we’re so disillusioned. I need to apologize to him, he deserved to have an awesome day immediately in Austin, the Trackhouse residence race. All the pieces was going to be excellent, nevertheless it didn’t finish properly. The race was implausible, Ai was very quick and I really feel the great days are coming. Raul additionally had restoration, from P13 ending P8. Even when it was not excellent and he’s not fully happy, it’s optimistic this 12 months to this point and on a tough day we nonetheless end within the prime 10. I hope that is the development for the longer term and after we work properly, we are able to get some actually prime outcomes. Now we have a robust bike, a robust workforce, sturdy riders and searching ahead, after a break, to go to the following race and transfer on from this disappointment.”

Nicolas Goyon – Crimson Bull KTM Tech3 Group Supervisor

“We’re very pleased with our weekend in Austin. The workforce leaves with smiles on our faces, which is an actual aid after two difficult races. I wish to congratulate Enea on the job he has performed all weekend. It was nice to see him having fun with the bike, constructing confidence, and delivering a robust race. He improved his tempo and labored his approach into the battle with Pecco [Bagnaia] and Marc Márquez, which was nice to observe. P3 within the Dash and P6 in the primary race are optimistic outcomes for us as we depart Austin. We now have a break, which is able to give Maverick time to get well from his shoulder surgical procedure, and we hope to be again in nice form in Jerez.”

Pablo Nieto – Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Group Supervisor

“Total, Austin was weekend for Diggia and we must be completely happy. We have been lacking one thing, as a result of we have been combating for the win with him, and it’s a pity we didn’t make it on the rostrum. However he took pole place and attaining this sort of result’s actually nice, I consider we’re working very properly. Proper now, our rivals have made a big step ahead, however we’re very shut. Franco struggled lots throughout this weekend in america, however he improved significantly in the course of the race. If he continues like this, we’ll see him again within the prime positions.”

Aki Ajo – Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing Group Supervisor

“Actually good progress for us this weekend at COTA with two riders within the prime six, one on the rostrum in fact with Pedro’s tremendous efficiency all weekend, and all three within the prime twelve. It’s been a stable day of outcomes. This GP appeared a bit extra ‘again to regular’ in comparison with Brazil final week and we developed areas of the bike and likewise in our work. We need to give all our riders extra optimistic instruments going forwards and it was encouraging to see Enea actually on fireplace right here. In Europe we’ll see extra about our degree and our potential on this class. We additionally hope to see Maverick again with us.”

Gino Borsoi – Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Group Director

“Total, it was a optimistic day. In fact, our ambitions are larger than this, however all of us wanted a little bit of a morale increase and we‘re very completely happy for Toprak to have scored the primary of what we hope might be many MotoGP factors in his profession. Jack additionally delivered a stable efficiency, and from the midway level of the race each riders confirmed that they had the tempo to remain near the highest ten. That‘s an vital indication for us. That is our start line, and it‘s from right here that we have to proceed constructing. We all know it gained‘t be simple, however we‘ve already lowered the hole considerably in comparison with the primary races. Now we now have to maintain our heads down, proceed working, and convey the workforce and our riders nearer to the place they belong.”

Massimo Meregalli – Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP Group Director

“All in all, it’s been a troublesome race weekend. I don’t need to say that ‘it’s a GP to overlook’ as a result of we have to be taught from the difficulties we confronted. We knew earlier than coming right here that COTA is likely one of the tracks that spotlight our areas of enchancment. Following the Dash and the Race, we now have knowledge with the brand new bike that we are able to analyse. Whereas these usually are not ‘enjoyable’ races for the riders or our workforce, they’re essential for future bike improvement. We are going to use the three weeks main as much as the Spanish GP to regroup and put together, so we may give it our all once more in Jerez.”

Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Motorsport Supervisor

“This weekend in Austin is a superb demonstration of the relevance of our new 2026 allocation philosophy. We intentionally simplified our provide with two tyre decisions on the entrance and rear, and the outcomes verify that this strategy permits groups and riders to work extra effectively whereas attaining a really excessive degree of efficiency. From Friday, we noticed that each entrance tyre choices labored properly, and that the Smooth and Medium rear tyres supplied complementary options relying on riders’ wants. Circumstances different significantly all through the weekend, with cool temperatures and wind on Saturday morning, adopted by a gradual enhance in temperature resulting in hotter circumstances on Sunday. On this context, the tyres’ potential to ship consistency and stability was decisive. The widespread alternative of the Medium tyre for the race clearly exhibits that groups discovered a dependable resolution able to guaranteeing a excessive degree of efficiency over distance. Lastly, the recorded performances communicate for themselves: a brand new qualifying document, a considerably sooner Tissot Dash, and a Grand Prix improved by practically twenty seconds in comparison with 2024. This represents a median achieve of about one second per lap, which is appreciable at this degree of competitors. It confirms not solely the potential of the bikes, but additionally the important thing function of tyres on this development. We’re very happy with the work completed and the info collected, which might be priceless for the remainder of the season.”

COTA MotoGP Race Outcomes

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Hole
1	M. Bezzecchi	Apr	40m50.653
2	J. Martin	Apr	+2.036
3	P. Acosta	Ktm	+4.497
4	F. Di Giannantonio	Duc	+6.972
5	M. Marquez	Duc	+8.100
6	E. Bastianini	Ktm	+8.243
7	A. Marquez	Duc	+11.253
8	R. Fernandez	Apr	+13.129
9	L. Marini	Hon	+14.471
10	F. Bagnaia	Duc	+14.544
11	F. Aldeguer	Duc	+21.063
12	B. Binder	Ktm	+22.062
13	D. Moreira	Hon	+22.201
14	F. Morbidelli	Duc	+24.371
15	T. Razgatlioglu	Yam	+25.549
16	J. Miller	Yam	+26.309
17	F. Quartararo	Yam	+27.136
18	A. Rins	Yam	+38.701
NC	J. Zarco	Hon	2 Laps
NC	A. Ogura	Apr	5 Laps
NC	J. Mir	Hon	15 Laps

COTA MotoGP Prime Speeds

Pos	Rider	Bike	Common	Prime
1	M. Marquez	Duc	345.8	348.1
2	E. Bastianini	Ktm	344.9	346.9
3	A. Ogura	Apr	344.7	346.9
4	B. Binder	Ktm	342.6	345.8
5	L. Marini	Hon	342.2	344.7
6	F. Bagnaia	Duc	343.7	344.7
7	A. Marquez	Duc	343.2	344.7
8	A. Rins	Yam	339.8	342.4
9	F. Di Giannantonio	Duc	339.9	341.3
10	F. Aldeguer	Duc	338.7	341.3
11	J. Martin	Apr	340.5	341.3
12	F. Morbidelli	Duc	338.6	340.2
13	J. Miller	Yam	338.7	340.2
14	M. Bezzecchi	Apr	340.2	340.2
15	D. Moreira	Hon	337.6	339.1
16	R. Fernandez	Apr	338.2	339.1
17	J. Mir	Hon	336.7	339.1
18	P. Acosta	Ktm	337.6	339.1
19	J. Zarco	Hon	337.3	338.0
20	T. Razgatlioglu	Yam	336.5	338.0
21	F. Quartararo	Yam	334.6	335.9

2026 MotoGP Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Factors
1	M. Bezzecchi	81
2	J. Martin	77
3	P. Acosta	60
4	F. Di Giannantonio	50
5	M. Marquez	45
6	R. Fernandez	40
7	A. Ogura	37
8	A. Marquez	28
9	F. Bagnaia	25
10	L. Marini	23
11	E. Bastianini	22
12	B. Binder	17
13	F. Morbidelli	14
14	F. Aldeguer	13
15	J. Zarco	13
16	D. Moreira	9
17	F. Quartararo	6
18	A. Rins	3
19	J. Mir	3
20	T. Razgatlioglu	1
21	J. Miller	0
22	M. Viñales	0
23	M. Pirro	0