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Marc Marquez Wins the San Marino Grand Prix

◷ 4 min read Last updated 13 Sep 2026 · 14:02 BST

Marc Marquez won the San Marino Grand Prix ahead of his brother Alex, drawing him level with Jorge Martin at the top of the 2026 MotoGP championship standings.

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● Race result · Round 14San Marino Grand Prix
  1. P1Marc MarquezDucati Lenovo Team
  2. P2Alex MarquezBK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP+0.657
  3. P3Pedro AcostaRed Bull KTM Factory Racing+2.326
Full results →

Marc Marquez has taken a crucial victory at the San Marino Grand Prix, mastering the Misano World Circuit in a thrilling race. The win was made even more special as he was joined on the podium by his younger brother, Alex Marquez, who brought his Gresini Racing Ducati home in second place.

The final step of the podium was claimed by impressive young talent Pedro Acosta, who continued his stellar season with another top-three finish for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

How did the race unfold?

Marc Marquez, riding for the factory Ducati Lenovo Team, delivered a commanding performance to secure his fifth Grand Prix victory of the season. The race saw a fascinating family story play out at the front, with the two Marquez brothers leading the pack.

While Marc ultimately had the edge, Alex’s second place was a fantastic result for the satellite BK8 Gresini Racing team, marking a memorable one-two finish for the siblings. Behind them, Pedro Acosta once again showed why he is considered one of the sport’s brightest young talents, fighting hard to secure third place.

Brothers Marc and Alex Marquez celebrating their one-two finish at the San Marino Grand Prix.
AI-generated illustration

What does this mean for the championship?

This result has completely electrified the title fight. With this win, Marc Marquez now moves to 274 points, drawing him exactly level with championship rival Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing.

Martin could only manage a fifth-place finish in San Marino, meaning he lost his slender advantage. With eight rounds still to go in the 22-race calendar, the championship is now perfectly balanced on a knife-edge between the two top contenders.

For a beginner, the championship is the main story that runs through the whole season. Riders collect points at each race (25 for a win, 20 for second, and so on), and the rider with the most points at the end of the year is crowned World Champion. A tie at the top this late in the season is incredibly exciting.

How did the other title contenders fare?

It was a disastrous day for the other riders near the top of the standings. Marco Bezzecchi, who sits third in the championship, was one of several riders who failed to finish the race. This is often recorded as a ‘DNF’ (Did Not Finish) and means the rider scores zero points.

This is a huge blow to the Aprilia Racing rider’s hopes, allowing the top two to pull further away. Former champion Francesco Bagnaia also had a difficult race, joining the list of riders who did not make it to the chequered flag. These non-finishes can have a massive impact on a rider’s championship campaign.

The intense championship battle is represented by a Ducati and an Aprilia racing closely together.
AI-generated illustration

Who else had a notable day?

Just off the podium, Fermin Aldeguer finished in a strong fourth position for BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, making it a great day for the team with both its riders in the top four. Raul Fernandez also secured a solid sixth place for the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team.

However, the story for many was the high number of non-finishers. Besides Bezzecchi and Bagnaia, notable names like Alex Rins, Joan Mir, and Jack Miller also had their races cut short, highlighting just how challenging the San Marino Grand Prix was.

What happens next?

The MotoGP now packs up and heads to Austria for the next round at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. This is round 15 of a long and demanding season.

With the two championship leaders tied on points, the pressure will be immense. Every pass, every decision, and every point will be critical from now until the final race in Valencia. The battle for the 2026 MotoGP crown is just getting started.

A view of the colourful and distinctive Misano World Circuit, home of the San Marino Grand Prix.
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Quick Takeaways

  • Marc Marquez won the San Marino Grand Prix, with his brother Alex Marquez finishing second.
  • The victory puts Marc Marquez level on points with Jorge Martin at the top of the championship standings.
  • Young talent Pedro Acosta continued his impressive season by finishing on the podium in third.
  • It was a bad day for other title hopefuls, with both Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia failing to finish.

Quick questions

Q.Who is leading the MotoGP championship?
After the San Marino Grand Prix, Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin are tied for the lead in the championship standings, with both riders on 274 points.
Q.What is a 'rookie' in MotoGP?
A rookie is a rider competing in their very first full season in the premier MotoGP class. In 2026, Diogo Moreira is one of the new riders making his debut.
Q.How many races are left in the 2026 MotoGP season?
The San Marino Grand Prix was round 14 of 22 in the 2026 calendar. There are eight Grands Prix remaining in the season.
Q.What is a 'satellite team'?
A satellite team leases motorcycles from a manufacturer (a 'factory team') but is run as a separate, independent entry. For example, Alex Marquez rides a Ducati for the satellite Gresini team, while his brother Marc rides for the factory Ducati team.