Just over 100 days after the chequered flag fell in Valencia, the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship is back. The 2026 MotoGP season begins this weekend at Buriram, with Thailand again hosting the opening round of a 22-race campaign that promises rivalries, new machinery and unfinished business.

Pre-season testing is complete, the talking is over and attention now turns to the first points-paying showdown at Chang International Circuit, where the race to lift the Tower of Champions officially begins.

Marquez returns as the benchmark, Bezzecchi looms large:

Reigning champion Marc Marquez arrives in Thailand as the man to beat. His move to the Ducati Lenovo Team proved a masterstroke in 2025, delivering a dominant title with five rounds to spare in one of the sport’s great comeback stories. Although a late-season injury interrupted an otherwise near-perfect year, Buriram holds happy memories for the six-time MotoGP champion, who already boasts three wins at the venue.Testing form suggests Marquez is once again in control, but he is not alone. Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing was consistently rapid throughout pre-season and is now the fastest rider ever around Buriram. Twelve months ago, Thailand marked his first Grand Prix start on the RS-GP, this time he arrives as a genuine title threat.Another familiar challenger is Alex Marquez from BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP. After topping the Sepang Test and showing strong pace in Buriram testing, the 2025 runner-up has the confidence and momentum to take the fight directly to his older brother.Aprilia and Ducati stack the deck:

Aprilia’s late-2025 surge appears to have carried into the new season. Alongside Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez of the Trackhouse MotoGP Team ended last year with a win in Australia and a podium to close the season, while rookie Ai Ogura impressed during Buriram testing. World Champion Jorge Martin also returns fit and immediately competitive, finishing pre-season inside the top ten.Ducati’s depth remains formidable. Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio from the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team both featured prominently on the timesheets, while Francesco Bagnaia begins 2026 determined to put a frustrating 2025 behind him. Positive signs in testing hint that the two-time champion could be ready to rejoin the title conversation early.KTM’s orange hopes, Acosta and Viñales:

At KTM, Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing leads the charge after a more encouraging pre-season than in years past. Still chasing his first MotoGP victory, Acosta will be aiming to start 2026 on the podium. Teammate Brad Binder endured mixed testing but has a strong record at Buriram.Over in Tech3 colours, Maverick Viñales from Red Bull KTM Tech3 showed impressive speed after recovering from injury. Already a Grand Prix winner with three different manufacturers, Viñales is chasing a rare fourth marque victory. Enea Bastianini also looks better placed than he was at the start of last season.Honda resurgence gathers momentum:

Honda’s winter progress has been a story of the off-season. Joan Mir and Luca Marini from Honda HRC Castrol both found gains across testing, while Johann Zarco of CASTROL Honda LCR backed that up with strong Buriram form. Rookie Diogo Moreira makes his MotoGP debut this weekend, becoming Brazil’s first premier-class rider.Yamaha’s V4 era begins, Razgatlioglu debuts:

Yamaha enters a bold new chapter in 2026, debuting its long-awaited V4 engine. Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP continue development work under concession rules, while Australian Jack Miller brings valuable V4 experience to the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team.The spotlight will also be firmly on Turkish superstar Toprak Razgatlioglu, who makes his long-awaited MotoGP debut after multiple WorldSBK titles. Adaptation will take time, but expectations are high.With testing complete and anticipation building, all that remains is lights out. The 2026 season begins this weekend at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, and the battle for MotoGP glory starts now.

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