The 2024 MotoGP season is off to a dramatic start after a wild Portuguese Grand Prix that saw Pramac’s Jorge Martin dominate from start to finish while defending champion Francesco Bagnaia crashed out after colliding with Marc Marquez. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Pedro Acosta scored a stunning maiden MotoGP podium in just his second race.
With the shocking late cancellation of the Argentina Grand Prix due to the country’s economic crisis, all eyes now turn to the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas from April 12-14. The iconic Circuit of the Americas is always a pivotal early season race, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be a real barnburner. Read on for an expert breakdown of the top betting favorites and juiciest outsider picks as the world’s best riders get set to duel in the Lone Star State.
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Schedule and How to Watch the Grand Prix of the Americas
The Grand Prix of the Americas runs from April 12th-14th at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Friday will feature two free practice sessions, followed by a final free practice and qualifying on Saturday. The 20-lap race gets underway at 2:00 pm local time (3:00 pm ET) on Sunday, April 14th. For a detailed view of the weekend’s events, refer to the official schedule.
For enthusiasts who can’t be at the venue in person, be sure to check the official MotoGP website for viewing options. (Note: While live broadcasts might be limited in certain regions, including the US, you can still catch comprehensive race highlights and updates on the website!) If betting is on your agenda, don’t forget to follow the live action and keep an eye on NXTbets for updates on odds and prices.
Odds Subject to Change
Please note, the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article:Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change?. Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.
Best Bets and Picks for the Grand Prix of the Americas
Top Picks and Bets
The Grand Prix of the Americas always delivers high-octane thrills, and this year’s edition promises to be no different, with a trio of heavy hitters leading the betting odds and looking to stamp their authority on the championship chase at the spectacular Circuit of the Americas.
Rider
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Jorge Martin
+162
$52.40
Francesco Bagnaia
+162
$52.40
Marc Marquez
+400
$100.00
Jorge Martin (+162) is the man of the moment after his flawless performance in Portimão. The Pramac rider was untouchable all weekend, converting pole position into a dominant lights-to-flag victory. Holding an 18-point lead and brimming with confidence, Martin’s aggressive yet precise riding style is perfectly suited to COTA’s challenging layout. The Spaniard has to be considered the favorite to make it back-to-back wins and extend his championship advantage.
Francesco Bagnaia (+162) comes into the Grand Prix of the Americas with a point to prove after crashing out of the Portuguese round. The defending double champion will be fired up to reignite his title defense at a track where he has consistently performed well in the past. Armed with the formidable Ducati Desmosedici GP24, expect Pecco to be in the mix for victory as he seeks to close down championship leader Jorge Martin’s early advantage.
Marc Marquez (+400) shouldn’t be discounted despite his involvement in the Portuguese GP incident with Bagnaia. The Repsol Honda icon boasts a record seven victories at COTA and looked back to his best in the early stages in Portimão before the collision. With HRC bringing an upgraded RC213V to Texas and his unmatched bike control, Marquez will fancy his chances of fighting for the podium and kickstarting his 2024 campaign.
Outsider Picks
While the favorites grab the headlines, savvy MotoGP bettors know that the outsider picks often provide the best value, and this week’s group all have the potential to deliver big returns at the Grand Prix of the Americas.
Rider
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Enea Bastianini
+700
$160.00
Pedro Acosta
+900
$200.00
Brad Binder
+1100
$240.00
Enea Bastianini (+700)is looking like a shrewd bet after his impressive ride to 2nd place in Portugal. The Ducati factory team rider showed impressive pace all weekend and looks to be carrying his strong late-season form from 2023 into the new campaign. ‘The Beast’ will be hungry to claim his first victory of the year and cement his status as a championship contender. With his renowned late-race pace and the potent GP24 beneath him, Bastianini has the potential to challenge for the top step of the podium in Austin.
Pedro Acosta (+900) couldn’t have asked for a more impressive debut in his rookie MotoGP season. The 20-year-old sensation stormed to a stunning maiden podium in Portimão, announcing himself as a serious talent on the world stage. Acosta’s precocious poise and the competitive KTM package make him an intriguing dark horse pick in Texas, where his smooth riding style should be well suited to the flowing, technical layout. Don’t be surprised to see the young Spaniard challenging for the top six once again.
Brad Binder (+1100) leads KTM’s charge coming into the Grand Prix of the Americas after a solid ride to 4th in Portugal. The South African has made a habit of exceeding expectations on the RC16 and will be gunning for the podium at a track where his aggressive riding style and late-braking prowess can really shine. With KTM’s upgraded engine providing a welcome power boost, Binder has the tools to mix it with the front runners on Sunday.
Expert Pick for the Grand Prix of the Americas
Jorge Martin is the clear favorite heading into the Grand Prix of the Americas after his incredible start to the 2024 season. The Pramac rider was in a class of his own in Portugal, topping every session and converting pole position into a commanding victory. With an 18-point championship lead and the lightning-quick Ducati GP24 at his disposal, Martin will be full of confidence at a track that suits his attacking style. Barring mishaps, the Spaniard looks set to make it two wins in a row and stamp his authority on the early title race.
Where to Bet on the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas
Gear up for the 2024 MotoGP – Grand Prix of the Americas! Get the latest odds and exclusive offers at our partnered sportsbooks to place your bets. Don’t forget to delve into NXTbets’ official MotoGP Betting Guidefor comprehensive insights and tips.
With a wide-open title fight, a stacked field of elite riders, and one of the most spectacular tracks on the planet, the 2024 Grand Prix of the Americas has all the ingredients of an instant classic. So make sure you tune in on April 14 to see who emerges victorious in MotoGP’s lone star showdown. These are the races that make legends.
21+ Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Italian motorcycle racing and its role in diplomacy were celebrated at the “Moto d’Italia – Culture Beyond the Track” event, where Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani presented Sports Diplomacy Ambassador plaques to Valentino Rossi, Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Giacomo Agostini, Max Biaggi, Kiara Fontanesi and Mugello Circuit CEO Paolo Poli. The initiative promoted motorcycling as a symbol of Italian industrial, technological, sporting and cultural excellence, and as a tool to strengthen Italy’s image abroad.
Bezzecchi joined by videoconference after surgery on a fractured collarbone suffered at the Sachsenring the previous weekend. He said he was proud of the appointment, thanked Tajani and said his operation had gone well as he recovered ahead of Silverstone. Bezzecchi also recalled winning at Mugello on an Italian motorbike and carrying the Italian flag on the podium. Rossi said, “It’s satisfying to watch the races today: Italy is at the top with its bikes and riders.”
The gathering brought together figures from the Italian and global motorcycling world, including Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, FMI president Giovanni Copioli and MotoGP Group CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. Ducati displayed Bagnaia’s Desmosedici GP26, Nicolò Bulega’s WorldSBK-spec Panigale V4 R and the Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore. Rivola said the Piaggio Group and its brands, including Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia, represent Italian spirit worldwide.
Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati reported clear technical progress this season, driven by electronics tweaks and balance changes that improved starts and front-end feeling. Bagnaia said Ducati were “getting closer” to fixing poor race starts and credited a package of changes introduced since the start of the season, including modified electronics and substantial balance adjustments. He welcomed the removal of some launch-control devices on safety and electronics grounds and said electronics tweaks at Mugello improved off-the-line pace, though he added that starts had weakened compared with 2024. He described the team as having “lost their way” last year and said Ducati had steadily progressed since the Jerez tests. He expected other teams to follow similar development paths but cautioned Ducati remained vulnerable compared with Honda, which he identified as having the best race starts, and acknowledged Aprilia’s systems progress.
On track, balance changes helped immediately. Bagnaia said shifting his weight forward restored front-end feeling, a set-up tweak he highlighted in an Inside Ducati video and in parc fermé comments to crew chief Cristian Gabarrini. The change helped him lead the opening half of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, including ten laps at the front, and secure a third-place finish — his first on-track podium of the season and his first consecutive podiums in nearly 12 months. He held off late pressure from Ai Ogura after Ogura posted a rapid penultimate lap, and he battled Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin during the race.
Bagnaia and others suffered high rear-tyre wear late in the race. He described rear grip as “the only thing I’m lacking,” and reports from Mugello showed rear degradation forced both Bagnaia and Marc Marquez to drop pace, with Marquez saying he “gave up with 10 laps to go.” The pattern underlined that front-end gains boosted early race pace but rear tyre life remained a limiting factor.
The Mugello result and the technical steps set up a challenging run of races. Ducati sporting director Gigi Dall’Igna praised Bagnaia’s aggressive early pace on LinkedIn, calling him a “braveheart,” and framed Ducati as resilient despite Aprilia’s early dominance this season. Bagnaia arrived at the Balaton round off the Mugello podium but called Balaton Park unfavourable, saying the circuit was “from riches to rags” and “by far the ugliest one that exists,” and noted the event would not return there next season. Balaton was identified as a test of race craft and strategy after a ninth-place finish there the previous year. Ducati’s recent technical progress had closed some gaps, but persistent rear-tyre wear and grip shortfalls remained the key hurdles to consistent victories.
In Moto2, Celestino Vietti set the pace at the Catalan Grand Prix, topping both morning and afternoon practice sessions. He led FP1 with a 1:42.028 lap on the Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro and was fastest again in the afternoon with a 1:41.611, both runs on Pirelli control tires. Senna Agius finished second in FP1 with a 1:42.453 on the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex and was runner-up in the afternoon with a 1:41.625. Alex Escrig was third in FP1 with a 1:42.567, and Alonso Lopez moved into third in the afternoon with a 1:41.637.
Other Moto2 session highlights included Izan Guevara fourth in FP1 (1:42.608) and fifth in the afternoon (1:41.827), Manuel Gonzalez fifth in FP1 (1:42.706), and Daniel Holgado fourth in the afternoon (1:41.815). The two 27-rider sessions showcased Boscoscuro and Kalex machinery and produced early weekend benchmarks. American Joe Roberts was 20th in the morning (1:43.786) and 21st in the afternoon (1:42.742). Xabi Zurutuza was slowest in FP1, 27th on 1:44.936.
Alex Marquez topped the MotoGP FP1 timesheets at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a lap of 1:39.950. Jorge Martín had led for much of the session before finishing 0.349 seconds adrift in second and suffering a heavy crash at Turn 12 after earlier brushing his shoulder at Turn 5 and returning to the Aprilia garage. Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi completed the FP1 top five, 0.438 seconds and 0.472 seconds off the pace respectively. KTM rider Brad Binder also suffered a crash during FP1.
Reigning champion Marc Marquez was absent from the Catalan weekend after shoulder surgery to remove two damaged screws and a bone fragment that had compressed his radial nerve, and his Le Mans foot fracture was reported as stabilized. Tech3’s Maverick Viñales returned to action after missing three grands prix, and Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernández made a second MotoGP wildcard appearance at the Catalan round.
Ai Ogura was ruled out of the Aragon MotoGP round after a training crash in Japan left him with a fractured left hand near the thumb, a setback that tightened the pressure on his championship bid. Trackhouse said he was diagnosed in Europe and was scheduled to have surgery on Thursday. Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori was named as his replacement for the weekend at MotorLand.
Ogura entered the Aragon round third in the world championship, 37 points behind leader Jorge Martin and six behind second-placed Marco Bezzecchi. The injury added to a difficult run after Ogura’s first race mistake of the 2026 season at Silverstone cost him points, and he said of that error, “I can’t go back in time.”
The absence also meant Ogura missed the Spanish event for a second straight year. He sat out last year’s Aragon race after a Silverstone crash left him with a leg fracture. Ogura has no previous MotoGP experience at the Aragon circuit, but said he prefers left-hand corners and was looking forward to the final left-hand turn there, with his home race at Motegi still a little more than a month away.
Best Bets: 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas Pre-Event Odds Analysis
The 2024 MotoGP season is off to a dramatic start after a wild Portuguese Grand Prix that saw Pramac’s Jorge Martin dominate from start to finish while defending champion Francesco Bagnaia crashed out after colliding with Marc Marquez. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Pedro Acosta scored a stunning maiden MotoGP podium in just his second race.
With the shocking late cancellation of the Argentina Grand Prix due to the country’s economic crisis, all eyes now turn to the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas from April 12-14. The iconic Circuit of the Americas is always a pivotal early season race, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be a real barnburner. Read on for an expert breakdown of the top betting favorites and juiciest outsider picks as the world’s best riders get set to duel in the Lone Star State.
Place your wagers for the Grand Prix of the Americas at our partner sportsbooks.
Schedule and How to Watch the Grand Prix of the Americas
The Grand Prix of the Americas runs from April 12th-14th at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Friday will feature two free practice sessions, followed by a final free practice and qualifying on Saturday. The 20-lap race gets underway at 2:00 pm local time (3:00 pm ET) on Sunday, April 14th. For a detailed view of the weekend’s events, refer to the official schedule.
For enthusiasts who can’t be at the venue in person, be sure to check the official MotoGP website for viewing options. (Note: While live broadcasts might be limited in certain regions, including the US, you can still catch comprehensive race highlights and updates on the website!) If betting is on your agenda, don’t forget to follow the live action and keep an eye on NXTbets for updates on odds and prices.
Odds Subject to Change
Please note, the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article: Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change?. Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.
Best Bets and Picks for the Grand Prix of the Americas
Top Picks and Bets
The Grand Prix of the Americas always delivers high-octane thrills, and this year’s edition promises to be no different, with a trio of heavy hitters leading the betting odds and looking to stamp their authority on the championship chase at the spectacular Circuit of the Americas.
Rider
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Jorge Martin
+162
$52.40
Francesco Bagnaia
+162
$52.40
Marc Marquez
+400
$100.00
Jorge Martin (+162) is the man of the moment after his flawless performance in Portimão. The Pramac rider was untouchable all weekend, converting pole position into a dominant lights-to-flag victory. Holding an 18-point lead and brimming with confidence, Martin’s aggressive yet precise riding style is perfectly suited to COTA’s challenging layout. The Spaniard has to be considered the favorite to make it back-to-back wins and extend his championship advantage.
Francesco Bagnaia (+162) comes into the Grand Prix of the Americas with a point to prove after crashing out of the Portuguese round. The defending double champion will be fired up to reignite his title defense at a track where he has consistently performed well in the past. Armed with the formidable Ducati Desmosedici GP24, expect Pecco to be in the mix for victory as he seeks to close down championship leader Jorge Martin’s early advantage.
Marc Marquez (+400) shouldn’t be discounted despite his involvement in the Portuguese GP incident with Bagnaia. The Repsol Honda icon boasts a record seven victories at COTA and looked back to his best in the early stages in Portimão before the collision. With HRC bringing an upgraded RC213V to Texas and his unmatched bike control, Marquez will fancy his chances of fighting for the podium and kickstarting his 2024 campaign.
Outsider Picks
While the favorites grab the headlines, savvy MotoGP bettors know that the outsider picks often provide the best value, and this week’s group all have the potential to deliver big returns at the Grand Prix of the Americas.
Rider
Event Winner Odds
Payout on $20
Enea Bastianini
+700
$160.00
Pedro Acosta
+900
$200.00
Brad Binder
+1100
$240.00
Enea Bastianini (+700) is looking like a shrewd bet after his impressive ride to 2nd place in Portugal. The Ducati factory team rider showed impressive pace all weekend and looks to be carrying his strong late-season form from 2023 into the new campaign. ‘The Beast’ will be hungry to claim his first victory of the year and cement his status as a championship contender. With his renowned late-race pace and the potent GP24 beneath him, Bastianini has the potential to challenge for the top step of the podium in Austin.
Pedro Acosta (+900) couldn’t have asked for a more impressive debut in his rookie MotoGP season. The 20-year-old sensation stormed to a stunning maiden podium in Portimão, announcing himself as a serious talent on the world stage. Acosta’s precocious poise and the competitive KTM package make him an intriguing dark horse pick in Texas, where his smooth riding style should be well suited to the flowing, technical layout. Don’t be surprised to see the young Spaniard challenging for the top six once again.
Brad Binder (+1100) leads KTM’s charge coming into the Grand Prix of the Americas after a solid ride to 4th in Portugal. The South African has made a habit of exceeding expectations on the RC16 and will be gunning for the podium at a track where his aggressive riding style and late-braking prowess can really shine. With KTM’s upgraded engine providing a welcome power boost, Binder has the tools to mix it with the front runners on Sunday.
Expert Pick for the Grand Prix of the Americas
Jorge Martin is the clear favorite heading into the Grand Prix of the Americas after his incredible start to the 2024 season. The Pramac rider was in a class of his own in Portugal, topping every session and converting pole position into a commanding victory. With an 18-point championship lead and the lightning-quick Ducati GP24 at his disposal, Martin will be full of confidence at a track that suits his attacking style. Barring mishaps, the Spaniard looks set to make it two wins in a row and stamp his authority on the early title race.
Where to Bet on the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas
Gear up for the 2024 MotoGP – Grand Prix of the Americas! Get the latest odds and exclusive offers at our partnered sportsbooks to place your bets. Don’t forget to delve into NXTbets’ official MotoGP Betting Guide for comprehensive insights and tips.
With a wide-open title fight, a stacked field of elite riders, and one of the most spectacular tracks on the planet, the 2024 Grand Prix of the Americas has all the ingredients of an instant classic. So make sure you tune in on April 14 to see who emerges victorious in MotoGP’s lone star showdown. These are the races that make legends.
21+ Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
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Moto d’Italia event spotlights Italy’s racing soft power
Italian motorcycle racing and its role in diplomacy were celebrated at the “Moto d’Italia – Culture Beyond the Track” event, where Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani presented Sports Diplomacy Ambassador plaques to Valentino Rossi, Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Giacomo Agostini, Max Biaggi, Kiara Fontanesi and Mugello Circuit CEO Paolo Poli. The initiative promoted motorcycling as a symbol of Italian industrial, technological, sporting and cultural excellence, and as a tool to strengthen Italy’s image abroad.
Bezzecchi joined by videoconference after surgery on a fractured collarbone suffered at the Sachsenring the previous weekend. He said he was proud of the appointment, thanked Tajani and said his operation had gone well as he recovered ahead of Silverstone. Bezzecchi also recalled winning at Mugello on an Italian motorbike and carrying the Italian flag on the podium. Rossi said, “It’s satisfying to watch the races today: Italy is at the top with its bikes and riders.”
The gathering brought together figures from the Italian and global motorcycling world, including Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, FMI president Giovanni Copioli and MotoGP Group CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. Ducati displayed Bagnaia’s Desmosedici GP26, Nicolò Bulega’s WorldSBK-spec Panigale V4 R and the Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore. Rivola said the Piaggio Group and its brands, including Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia, represent Italian spirit worldwide.
Rear tyre degradation forces Bagnaia, Marquez to ease off late Mugello
Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati reported clear technical progress this season, driven by electronics tweaks and balance changes that improved starts and front-end feeling. Bagnaia said Ducati were “getting closer” to fixing poor race starts and credited a package of changes introduced since the start of the season, including modified electronics and substantial balance adjustments. He welcomed the removal of some launch-control devices on safety and electronics grounds and said electronics tweaks at Mugello improved off-the-line pace, though he added that starts had weakened compared with 2024. He described the team as having “lost their way” last year and said Ducati had steadily progressed since the Jerez tests. He expected other teams to follow similar development paths but cautioned Ducati remained vulnerable compared with Honda, which he identified as having the best race starts, and acknowledged Aprilia’s systems progress.
On track, balance changes helped immediately. Bagnaia said shifting his weight forward restored front-end feeling, a set-up tweak he highlighted in an Inside Ducati video and in parc fermé comments to crew chief Cristian Gabarrini. The change helped him lead the opening half of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, including ten laps at the front, and secure a third-place finish — his first on-track podium of the season and his first consecutive podiums in nearly 12 months. He held off late pressure from Ai Ogura after Ogura posted a rapid penultimate lap, and he battled Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin during the race.
Bagnaia and others suffered high rear-tyre wear late in the race. He described rear grip as “the only thing I’m lacking,” and reports from Mugello showed rear degradation forced both Bagnaia and Marc Marquez to drop pace, with Marquez saying he “gave up with 10 laps to go.” The pattern underlined that front-end gains boosted early race pace but rear tyre life remained a limiting factor.
The Mugello result and the technical steps set up a challenging run of races. Ducati sporting director Gigi Dall’Igna praised Bagnaia’s aggressive early pace on LinkedIn, calling him a “braveheart,” and framed Ducati as resilient despite Aprilia’s early dominance this season. Bagnaia arrived at the Balaton round off the Mugello podium but called Balaton Park unfavourable, saying the circuit was “from riches to rags” and “by far the ugliest one that exists,” and noted the event would not return there next season. Balaton was identified as a test of race craft and strategy after a ninth-place finish there the previous year. Ducati’s recent technical progress had closed some gaps, but persistent rear-tyre wear and grip shortfalls remained the key hurdles to consistent victories.
Vietti tops both Moto2 sessions; Marquez leads MotoGP FP1
In Moto2, Celestino Vietti set the pace at the Catalan Grand Prix, topping both morning and afternoon practice sessions. He led FP1 with a 1:42.028 lap on the Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro and was fastest again in the afternoon with a 1:41.611, both runs on Pirelli control tires. Senna Agius finished second in FP1 with a 1:42.453 on the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex and was runner-up in the afternoon with a 1:41.625. Alex Escrig was third in FP1 with a 1:42.567, and Alonso Lopez moved into third in the afternoon with a 1:41.637.
Other Moto2 session highlights included Izan Guevara fourth in FP1 (1:42.608) and fifth in the afternoon (1:41.827), Manuel Gonzalez fifth in FP1 (1:42.706), and Daniel Holgado fourth in the afternoon (1:41.815). The two 27-rider sessions showcased Boscoscuro and Kalex machinery and produced early weekend benchmarks. American Joe Roberts was 20th in the morning (1:43.786) and 21st in the afternoon (1:42.742). Xabi Zurutuza was slowest in FP1, 27th on 1:44.936.
Alex Marquez topped the MotoGP FP1 timesheets at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a lap of 1:39.950. Jorge Martín had led for much of the session before finishing 0.349 seconds adrift in second and suffering a heavy crash at Turn 12 after earlier brushing his shoulder at Turn 5 and returning to the Aprilia garage. Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi completed the FP1 top five, 0.438 seconds and 0.472 seconds off the pace respectively. KTM rider Brad Binder also suffered a crash during FP1.
Reigning champion Marc Marquez was absent from the Catalan weekend after shoulder surgery to remove two damaged screws and a bone fragment that had compressed his radial nerve, and his Le Mans foot fracture was reported as stabilized. Tech3’s Maverick Viñales returned to action after missing three grands prix, and Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernández made a second MotoGP wildcard appearance at the Catalan round.
Ogura ruled out of Aragon MotoGP after training crash
Ai Ogura was ruled out of the Aragon MotoGP round after a training crash in Japan left him with a fractured left hand near the thumb, a setback that tightened the pressure on his championship bid. Trackhouse said he was diagnosed in Europe and was scheduled to have surgery on Thursday. Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori was named as his replacement for the weekend at MotorLand.
Ogura entered the Aragon round third in the world championship, 37 points behind leader Jorge Martin and six behind second-placed Marco Bezzecchi. The injury added to a difficult run after Ogura’s first race mistake of the 2026 season at Silverstone cost him points, and he said of that error, “I can’t go back in time.”
The absence also meant Ogura missed the Spanish event for a second straight year. He sat out last year’s Aragon race after a Silverstone crash left him with a leg fracture. Ogura has no previous MotoGP experience at the Aragon circuit, but said he prefers left-hand corners and was looking forward to the final left-hand turn there, with his home race at Motegi still a little more than a month away.