Pedro Acosta puts KTM fastest during opening practice for the 2026 US MotoGP at COTA, while reigning champion Marc Marquez brought out red flags for a fast early accident.

Seven-time COTA winner Marc Marquez’s weekend got off to a nightmare start when he lost control of his factory Ducati at over 190km/h through Turn 10.

The rear of the Spaniard’s GP26 kicked over the crest before the front folded, sending Marquez skimming face-down across the gravel trap and into a protective trackside barrier.

Red flags were waved while Marquez eventually staggered to a waiting scooter, with his left glove removed.

Ducati later confirmed a heavy hit to Marquez’s right arm and left hand, resulting in painful skin damage but no fractures.

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Other riders suffered similar bike-shaking scares over the crest, but kept control.

Marquez returned to the track with just over ten minutes to go and went on to finish in fourth place.

Team-mate Francesco Bagnaia – who won last year’s race after Marquez crashed from the lead – was holding P1 from Acosta when the #93 returned.

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse) and Fabio di Giannantonio (VR46) then took over at the top using a new set of medium tyres.

But Pedro Acosta responded on new rubber of his own (soft front, medium rear) in the closing minutes.

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Aprilia’s title leader Marco Bezzecchi, chasing his fifth grand prix victory in a row, began the COTA weekend in ninth but – like Martin, Ai Ogura and Bagnaia – kept the same tyres throughout.

Afternoon Practice, which will decide the top ten riders with direct Qualifying 2 access, starts at 3pm local (8pm UK).

TIMES TO FOLLOW

2026 US MotoGP, COTA – Free Practice (1) ResultsPosRiderNatTeamTime/DiffLapMax1Pedro AcostaSPARed Bull KTM (RC16)2’01.715s14/16338k2Fabio Di GiannantonioITAPertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26)+0.103s14/18342k3Jorge MartinSPAAprilia Racing (RS-GP26)+0.221s13/17340k4Marc MarquezSPADucati Lenovo (GP26)+0.378s8/9342k5Raul FernandezSPATrackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26)+0.495s12/17337k6Alex MarquezSPABK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26)+0.589s13/16339k7Luca MariniITAHonda HRC Castrol (RC213V)+0.650s14/18339k8Ai OguraJPNTrackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26)+0.673s14/18340k9Marco BezzecchiITAAprilia Racing (RS-GP26)+0.710s16/19341k10Franco MorbidelliITAPertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25)+0.755s16/17338k11Francesco BagnaiaITADucati Lenovo (GP26)+0.796s15/16341k12Jack MillerAUSPramac Yamaha (YZR-M1)+0.916s14/15332k13Maverick ViñalesSPARed Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16)+0.917s13/17341k14Enea BastianiniITARed Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16)+1.003s15/17342k15Alex RinsSPAMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+1.035s15/17334k16Brad BinderRSARed Bull KTM (RC16)+1.051s9/19340k17Joan MirSPAHonda HRC Castrol (RC213V)+1.162s9/16339k18Fabio QuartararoFRAMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+1.232s14/14333k19Toprak RazgatliogluTURPramac Yamaha (YZR-M1)*+1.322s14/15330k20Johann ZarcoFRACastrol Honda LCR (RC213V)+1.341s17/17340k21Diogo MoreiraBRAPro Honda LCR (RC213V)*+1.410s16/16339k22Fermin AldeguerSPABK8 Gresini Ducati (GP25)+1.609s10/15336k

* Rookie

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Official COTA MotoGP Records:

Best lap: Maverick Vinales, Aprilia, 2m 0.864s (2024)

Fastest race lap: Marc Marquez, Ducati, 2m 2.221s (2025)

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