Bezzecchi Sets Buriram Record in MotoGP Preseason Finale

Marco Bezzecchi topped the final day of the 2026 MotoGP preseason testing at Buriram International Circuit in Thailand on Sunday, February 22, setting a new all-time track record of 1 minute, 28.668 seconds on his Aprilia RSGP machine and securing the fastest time ahead of the season opener at the same venue.

The Italian rider's lap, recorded with 20 minutes left in the afternoon session, shaved 0.032 seconds off the previous record established by Francesco Bagnaia during qualifying for the 2024 Thai Grand Prix. Bezzecchi's effort propelled Aprilia to the top two positions, with Trackhouse Racing's Ai Ogura finishing second at 1:28.765, just 0.097 seconds behind. Reigning world champion Marc Marquez, riding for the factory Ducati team, held the lead for much of the day after posting 1:28.836 early in the second hour but slipped to third overall following a crash at Turn 3, his third tumble of the weekend.

Marquez briefly visited the medical center after the incident, though officials noted uncertainty about whether it stemmed directly from the fall or from a stomach ailment that had plagued him throughout testing. The 33-year-old Spaniard returned to the track in the final hour...