MotoGP: 14 down, 8 to go and it’s neck-and-neck at the top: a blockbuster awaits as the Styrian mountains come alive to the sound of MotoGP
14 rounds in and we’re back to how it started in February: all square at the top of the Championship. 33 points split the top three but the most remarkable of comebacks from Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has seen him overturn a 102-point deficit to be joint-Championship leader, equal on points but ahead of Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) by virtue of more Grand Prix wins. The shocks and surprises will continue this weekend as our summer run comes to a close at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, where more twists and turns are on the horizon.
THE TOP 3: Marc and Martinator level, Bezzecchi 33 behind
He’d already done the unthinkable in 2025 when he completed the greatest comeback in sporting history, but this year’s Marc Marquez has been just as impressive, perhaps even more given the short turnaround in his fortunes. Austria has been Ducati territory too with nine Austrian Grand Prix wins, the most recent coming from the #93 – his only victory there. As for Martin, he’s won at the Red Bull Ring once, in 2021, but with his recent arm pump struggles, he may be up against it this weekend. Then, there’s his teammate Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), whose Misano blunder leaves him 33 points back from his title rivals ahead. After combative and determined Austrian GP last year, the #72’s quest for a first title needs reigniting ahead of the flyaways – where his imperious run of pace really hit top speed in 2025.
FIGHT FOR FOURTH: Diggia leads the way, Acosta on the ascendency
Whilst it seems a three-way fight at the head of the standings, just 24 points split fourth to seventh, led by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). The Italian is 51 points behind the Championship lead so whilst it’s unlikely, it’s far from impossible; he’ll want a first Sunday podium since his Catalunya win to return to contention. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Team) is the lead KTM star for their home Grand Prix and in the last four GPs, only the Championship leaders have scored more than the Shark, who continues to chase a first Grand Prix win. Behind come the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team, with Ai Ogura’s attendance subject to a medical check, although he’s coming to Austria, and Raul Fernandez aiming to return to the podium.
BIG NAMES ON THE UP: Alex Marquez in rich form
Edging his way closer to the top five in the standings after his sublime Misano podium, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was a Sprint podium finisher in Austria last season, whilst rounding out the top ten is three-time Austrian GP winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and last year’s late charger Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). Both have good form there and for 2026, Pecco aims to get back to podium contention whilst Aldeguer was within striking distance at Misano. After his last GP at home, Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) concludes Ducati’s attack force; can he come up with a surprise?
IN THE MIDPACK: Marini, Bastianini, Quartararo and more
Looking to crack the top ten, top Honda Luca Marini’s (Honda HRC Castrol) points-streak continues and he’s just nine behind Aldeguer and four ahead of Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech3) will be Bastianini’s teammate once again this weekend as Maverick Viñales continues his recovery – the #12 hopes to be back in Japan. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), meanwhile, will also be sidelined as development rider Takaaki Nakagami steps in to replace the #36 due to illness. Whilst not in the top ten overall, a top ten last time out for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was an encouraging step forward for the 2021 World Champion and top Yamaha rider, whilst teammate Alex Rins gears up for a final Austrian GP after announcing his retirement from professional motorcycle racing.
BOUNCING BACK: top 10s and points the target
No trip to the Red Bull Ring is complete without a throwback to Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) heroics in 2021 when he stayed out on slicks in the pouring rain to take a famous home victory for KTM. Nine straight points finishes, he hopes for something special. So does Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) after a difficult San Marino GP that yielded no points for the Brazilian, who won the Moto2 Grand Prix in Austria in 2025. Teammate Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) also suffered a DNF last time out and hopes to rebound whereas Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu chase more solid points and target the team’s first top ten since Hungary.
After everything we’ve seen so far in 2026, more surprises, twists and turns can’t be ruled out. Action ignites at 9am local time (UTC +2), don’t miss the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Austria!
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