Marc Márquez continued his charge back into MotoGP World Championship contention with victory at the Michelin Grand Prix of Aragon, beating Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi after an intense battle at the front of the field.

The Ducati Lenovo Team rider crossed the line 1.754 seconds ahead of Acosta, with polesitter Bezzecchi completing the podium for Aprilia Racing, 3.629 seconds behind the winner.

But the defining moment of the race came on Lap 6, when Márquez made his move for the lead and sparked one of the most exciting exchanges of the afternoon.

After closing down Bezzecchi over the opening laps, Márquez attacked the Aprilia at Turn 15. Bezzecchi fought back and the pair raced side-by-side down the back straight, separated by inches at more than 300 km/h, before Márquez finally secured the position through the final corners.

As the two fought for the lead, Acosta seized his opportunity. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider swept around Bezzecchi to move into second and immediately set off after Márquez.

Early drama puts Bezzecchi back in front

Márquez had initially attacked Bezzecchi at Turn 1 after starting second, but his attempt to take control of the race quickly unravelled.

The reigning World Champion later revealed that he had left his rear ride-height device engaged, compromising him through the following corners. Bezzecchi retook the lead, while championship leader Jorge Martín also found a way through.

Márquez recovered quickly, passing Martín before the end of the opening lap. Acosta then moved ahead of Martín as well, leaving Bezzecchi leading Márquez and Acosta as the front three began to pull clear.

By Lap 5, Márquez was firmly on the rear of Bezzecchi’s Aprilia with Acosta following closely behind, setting up the decisive three-way fight one lap later.

Acosta keeps Márquez under pressure

Taking the lead did not immediately allow Márquez to escape.

Acosta remained glued to the back of the Ducati and continued to apply pressure as Bezzecchi stayed within striking distance in third. At half distance, less than a second covered each of the gaps between the leading trio.

Márquez eventually began to stretch his advantage during the second half of the 23-lap race. Acosta was unable to answer the Spaniard’s consistent pace and eventually crossed the line 1.754 seconds behind, securing his 14th MotoGP podium but continuing his wait for a maiden premier-class victory.

Bezzecchi took third after a weekend in which he twice lowered the all-time MotorLand Aragón lap record, eventually becoming the first MotoGP rider to break into the 1:44s on his way to pole position.

Álex Márquez finished fourth for BK8 Gresini Racing, while Martín could manage only fifth on the second Aprilia.

Fermín Aldeguer marked his return to action with sixth for BK8 Gresini Racing, ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Enea Bastianini. Diogo Moreira finished ninth, with Brad Binder completing the top ten.

Francesco Bagnaia endured another difficult afternoon for Ducati Lenovo Team, crashing out early in the Grand Prix, while Franco Morbidelli and Raúl Fernández were also among the retirements.

Márquez closes in on Martín

Victory completed a perfect weekend for Márquez after he also won Saturday’s Sprint, giving him the maximum 37 points available at MotorLand Aragón.

More importantly, the weekend transformed the championship picture.

Márquez has moved ahead of Bezzecchi into second in the standings on 237 points, with Bezzecchi third on 232. Martín remains championship leader on 256 points, but his advantage over Márquez has been cut to just 19 points.

After a difficult British Grand Prix, Aragón therefore proved a major response from the reigning champion as the fight for the 2026 MotoGP crown tightens heading into the next round at Misano.

Full official results: https://www.motogp.com/en/gp-results/2026/ara/motogp/rac/classification