MotoGP: Marco Bezicki wins the season opener as Marc Marquez retires

Italian Marco Betschi won the opening race of the MotoGP season with a flawless performance in Thailand, while defending champion Marc Marquez retired late.

The Aprilia Bezzecchi rider started from pole position and never looked back as he stormed into a huge lead before sealing the win by more than five seconds.

Spanish KTM rider Pedro Acosta followed up his victory in Saturday’s sprint race by finishing second, while compatriot Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse took third.

Bezzecchi’s win came after he crashed out of the sprint race on the second lap.

“It was a small mistake yesterday that had big consequences, so today it was important to try to come back,” Pizzicchi said.

“My speed was good through the middle [rear tyre]We worked very well all weekend, so I knew I could be fast if I was in front. So I did my best to get a good start and the bike was perfect.”

Ducati rider Marquez exited the race five laps before the end of the race after suffering a tire puncture while he was in fourth place.

The Spaniard, who is seeking a record-equalling eighth title this season, was closing in on Acosta and Fernandez but suffered damage to his tire after running wide, ending hopes of a podium finish.

Earlier this week, Marquez said he was still recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the final four races last season.

Bezzecchi was fastest in all three practice sessions and set a new lap record in qualifying, while this was his third consecutive Grand Prix win – after winning the last two races in 2025.

Bezzecchi’s Aprilia teammate and 2024 champion, Jorge Martin, was fourth, while Trackhouse driver Ai Ogura was fifth.

Last year’s runner-up Alex Marquez did not finish the race after suffering a late accident, while 2022 and 2023 world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished ninth.