Bezzecchi Wins San Marino Sprint as Marc Marquez Crashes After Topping Friday Practice

FRIDAY: MARQUEZ SETS THE PACE

Marc Marquez set the pace in the opening practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, going fastest with a lap of 1 minute 31.468 seconds. Marco Bezzecchi was closest behind on his Aprilia, just 0.060 seconds off the pace, with Fernandez third ahead of Alex Marquez, Zarco, Acosta, Marini, Martin, Quartararo and Di Giannantonio rounding out the top ten.

THE TITLE FIGHT COMING IN

The session came with the championship tightening at the top. Jorge Martin led the standings by 19 points over Marquez after the Ducati rider's double win at Aragon, with Bezzecchi just 24 points off the lead heading into round fourteen of the season.

SATURDAY: THE SPRINT FLIPS THE SCRIPT

Marquez's practice pace did not carry into Saturday. Bezzecchi won the sprint outright, while Marquez crashed out, turning Friday's form guide upside down and handing Bezzecchi a meaningful step forward in the three-way fight at the top of the standings.

WHAT'S NEXT

Sunday's Grand Prix, round fourteen of the 2026 season, is still to come, and it now carries extra weight for Marquez after a sprint that cost him points he could not afford to give up this late in the title race.