2026 US MotoGP, COTA - Friday Practice Results

Marc Marquez emerges on top of an incident-packed Friday practice for the 2026 US MotoGP at COTA.

The reigning champion shook off his own scary morning fall in style to finish the afternoon 0.053s clear of nearest rival Ai Ogura, with Fabio di Giannantonio in third.

Aprilia's title leader Marco Bezzecchi began his quest for a fifth grand prix victory in a row in fourth place.

Meanwhile, Joan Mir and Fermin Aldeguer were among those left outside the top ten and will need to take part in Saturday’s Qualifying 1.

After the fast accident for Marc Marquez early in the morning session, afternoon Practice kicked off with a spate of falls.

Jorge Martin and Fabio di Giannantonio were first to slide off, followed by Enea Bastianini, Franco Morbidelli, FP1 leader Pedro Acosta and Ai Ogura.

All walked away unharmed, but Ogura’s accident occurred moments after yellow flags for Acosta’s Turn 12 spill, putting the Trackhouse Aprilia rider under investigation.

The FIM Stewards declared ‘no further action’, and Ogura briefly featured on top of the timesheets for the home Trackhouse team.

Meanwhile, Toprak Razgatlioglu joined the crash list after 23mins, then Alex Marquez at the midway stage of the hour.

The succession of yellow flags meant that Marc Marquez, battered and bruised after his FP1 fall, took until his seventh lap of the session to be officially credited with a lap time.

Marquez's twelfth lap, on old medium tyres, put the Spaniard fastest until di Giannantonio, who pipped Marquez to a podium last Sunday in Brazil, edged ahead.

Bezzecchi signalled the start of time attacks when he blasted 0.6s clear of Diggia with 13 minutes to go.

Marquez returned to the top on new rubber, di Giannantonio again responded, before Marquez settled the contest with a 2m 0.927s and Ogura moved into second.

Early leader Francesco Bagnaia was in danger of another Qualifying 1 appearance, sitting 15th with just five minutes to go. Last year’s COTA winner held his nerve and claimed direct Qualifying 2 access in eighth.

KTM’s Brad Binder was the final faller of the day, in the closing minutes.

Tech3’s Maverick Vinales withdrew after FP1 due to ongoing issues with the left shoulder injury at Sachsenring last season.

^X Rider has improved X positions from FP1.
= Rider has the same position as FP1.
˅X Rider has dropped X positions from FP1.
* Rookie
 

Official COTA MotoGP Records:

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

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

Free Practice 1

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.

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.

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).

* Rookie

Official COTA MotoGP Records:

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

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