P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aprilia ran roughshod over its MotoGP rivals in Thailand, but the true star of the weekend was not aboard one of its bikes. Here’s Val Khorounzhiy’s rankings
The 2026 MotoGP season started with an exciting weekend in Thailand, where Aprilia dominated the Thai Grand Prix, although the standout performer was not from their team. Qualifying 6th, Sprint 1st, Grand Prix 2nd, Pedro Acosta showed his talent and proved his worth, leaving no doubt that he is one of the best riders in the world. Despite some doubts before, Acosta’s performance was remarkable, and some are already suggesting he deserves a raise from Ducati for the next season.
On the other hand, Marquez struggled with his form during the preseason, facing challenges in the sprint and eventually in the main race. Despite a strong showing, Marquez’s Ducati couldn’t secure a victory, highlighting his importance for the team. Mir’s weekend may go unnoticed, but his control over the Honda team was clear, facing difficulties due to tire issues – yet remaining competitive within his limitations.
Bezzecchi faced setbacks with crashes and mistakes in the sprint race, but he bounced back impressively to secure a commanding victory in the Grand Prix. Although his errors were regrettable, the weekend showed his potential and the fine line between success and failure in MotoGP.
