Marquez and Bezzecchi Set for Dramatic Showdown at Brazilian MotoGP

The 2026 MotoGP season continues with the highly anticipated Brazilian Grand Prix, marking the series’ return to the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia after a 30-year absence. Following a challenging Thai Grand Prix, riders are preparing for a unique challenge: a track unfamiliar to almost everyone in the field.

A ‘Blind’ Grand Prix: New Territory for All

The Goiânia circuit, 3.8 kilometers long with 13 turns (9 right-handers and 4 left-handers), presents a unique challenge as no current MotoGP rider has recent experience racing on it. A limited number of riders – Franco Morbidelli, Luca Marini, and Diogo Moreira, along with Granado – completed demonstration laps last year, but comprehensive testing, including tire data collection, has not been conducted GPone.

Marquez’s History on New Circuits

The Brazilian Grand Prix sets the stage for a potential duel between Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi. Throughout his career, Marquez has demonstrated a remarkable ability to excel on new circuits, securing victories at the Circuit of the Americas (2013), Termas de Rio Hondo (2014), Buriram (2018), and Balaton Park (2023) GPone. He was sidelined due to injury during the introduction of Portimao (2020) and Indonesia (2022), both races ultimately won by Oliveira.

Bezzecchi’s Previous Success on New Tracks

Marco Bezzecchi as well has a proven track record on new circuits, having won the inaugural MotoGP race at the Buddh International Circuit in India GPone.

Marquez’s Preparation and Recent Challenges

Despite a tricky Thai Grand Prix – marred by a penalty and a rear tire puncture – Marc Marquez has quickly resumed training, practicing on a dirt track alongside his brother Alex Marquez and Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira Paddock GP. During qualifying at the Thai Grand Prix, Marquez secured second place on the grid, only 0.035 seconds behind pole sitter Marco Bezzecchi Paddock GP.

Race Schedule (March 20-23, 2026)

• Friday, March 20, 2026
• 19:00-19:45 WIB – Moto3 Free Practice 1
• 20:00-20:50 WIB – Moto2 Free Practice 1
• 21:05-22:05 WIB – MotoGP Free Practice 1
• 23:15-00:00 WIB – Moto3 Practice
• Saturday, March 21 2026
• 00:15-01:05 WIB – Moto2 Practice
• 01:20-02:35 WIB – MotoGP Practice
• 18:40-19:10 WIB – Moto3 Free Practice 2
• 19:25-19:55 WIB – Moto2 Free Practice 2
• 20:10-20:40 WIB – MotoGP Free Practice 2
• 20:50-21:05 WIB – MotoGP Qualifying 1
• 21:15-21:30 WIB – MotoGP Qualifying 2
• 22:45-23:00 WIB – Moto3 Qualifying 1
• 23:10-23:25 WIB – Moto3 Qualifying 2
• 23:40-23:55 WIB – Moto2 Qualifying 1
• Sunday, March 22 2026
• 00:05-00:20 WIB – Moto2 Qualifying 2
• 01:00 WIB – MotoGP Sprint (15 laps)
• 20:40-20:50 WIB – MotoGP Warm Up
• 22:00 WIB – Moto3 Race (24 laps)
• 23:15 WIB – Moto2 Race (26 laps)
• Monday, March 23 2026
• 01:00 WIB – MotoGP Grand Prix (31 laps)

2026 MotoGP Schedule

The full 2026 MotoGP schedule includes races in Thailand, Brazil, the United States, Qatar, Spain, France, Catalunya, Italy, Hungary, Czechia, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Aragon, San Marino, Austria, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and Valencia.