The MotoGP season opener in Thailand has ignited with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi setting an electrifying pace, leaving rivals to wonder if a new era of dominance is dawning. Yet, amidst the buzz, Ducati rider Alex Marquez preaches a calm approach, urging his team to keep perspective.
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) shattered the Buriram circuit record in Friday practice, hinting at early season dominance.
- Alex Marquez advises Ducati against "panic," citing the 21-race season and differing track characteristics.
- Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia acknowledge Bezzecchi's blistering speed, especially with the special Michelin tyre casing.
- Aprilia's strong finish to 2025 carries significant momentum into the new season.
Bezzecchi's Blistering Pace Shakes Buriram
The Aprilia factory machine, under the masterful control of Marco Bezzecchi, blitzed the Buriram International Circuit with an astonishing 1m28.526s lap. This record-breaking performance in Friday practice wasn't just fast; it was four-tenths faster than the closest competitor, Marc Marquez, despite challenging grip conditions from recent rain. This dominant display builds on Aprilia's momentum from late 2025, where Bezzecchi secured back-to-back victories.
Ducati's Measured Response: No Need for Panic
Despite Aprilia's early surge, Gresini Racing's Alex Marquez urges caution against premature conclusions. Speaking after Bezzecchi's headline-grabbing lap, Marquez stressed that the Thailand Grand Prix shouldn't be the sole indicator for the entire 2026 MotoGP season. "It's always possible to beat the riders that are there," Marquez asserted. "It will be difficult, of course, and if we will not be able to go faster than him, no panic. We will have 21 races in front of us... keep calm."
A Strategic Long Game
For Alex Marquez, the focus remains on internal development. He believes Ducati must "build our things" and capitalize on circuits where their machinery inherently performs better. "Maybe for some reason here Aprilia is better, in some tracks we also have potential, [we] just take the profit," he explained, highlighting a strategic long game rather than immediate reactionary moves.
Rivals Acknowledge Aprilia's Edge
It's not just Alex Marquez observing Bezzecchi's exceptional form. Even eight-time world champion Marc Marquez singled out Bezzecchi as the clear favorite for the Thai GP. Marc pointed to Bezzecchi's uncanny ability to exploit a specific Michelin tyre casing used for the Indonesia and Thailand rounds. "He was super fast in Indonesia and Mandalika with this casing... here he's super fast," Marc Marquez noted, suggesting a unique synergy between Bezzecchi and this specific tire.
Francesco Bagnaia, another formidable Ducati contender, echoed the sentiment, estimating Bezzecchi holds a significant three to four-tenths advantage over the rest of the field at Buriram. This consensus among top riders underscores the scale of Aprilia's challenge this weekend.
What This Means for the Championship Battle
While Alex Marquez's call for calm is understandable given the long season, Aprilia's early dominance presents a formidable challenge. If Bezzecchi can convert this practice speed into a race victory, it sends a powerful message: Aprilia is a genuine title contender, capable of disrupting Ducati's recent stronghold. The Thai GP isn't just a single race; it's a statement of intent, and the battle for supremacy has just begun.
