Pedro Acosta takes a surprise early lead in the 2026 MotoGP World Championship after victory over Marc Marquez in Saturday’s Thai season opener.

Marc Marquez was instructed by the FIM Stewards to drop behind Pedro Acosta after making a hard move on the KTM rider into the final corner on the penultimate lap.

It is Acosta’s first Sprint win, at the start of his third premier-class season, and the first time a KTM rider has led the MotoGP World Championship.

Raul Fernandez completed the podium while Francesco Bagnaia claimed the final point after starting 13th on the grid.

Aprilia’s pole qualifier Marco Bezzecchi was left empty-handed after crashing from the lead on lap 2.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Buriram Sprint Race: 2026 MotoGP World Championship standingsPosRiderNatTeamPointsDiff.1Pedro AcostaSPARed Bull KTM (RC16)12 2Marc MarquezSPADucati Lenovo (GP26)9(-3)3Raul FernandezSPATrackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26)7(-5)4Ai OguraJPNTrackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26)6(-6)5Jorge MartinSPAAprilia Racing (RS-GP26)5(-7)6Brad BinderRSARed Bull KTM (RC16)4(-8)7Joan MirSPAHonda HRC Castrol (RC213V)3(-9)8Fabio di GiannantonioITAPertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26)2(-10)9Francesco BagnaiaITADucati Lenovo (GP26)1(-11)Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter