Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP returns to Goiania this week for the first Brazilian Grand Prix since 1992 with Marc Marquez eyeing his first win of 2026, so our experts have made their predictions.
Goiania last held a premier class world championship race back in the 1989 500cc season, when Kevin Schwantz won for Suzuki. Interlagos in Sao Paulo also had a brief appearance on the 500cc calendar in 1992, yet Wayne Rainey’s win with Yamaha was Interlagos’ only event.
The Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix instead became Brazil’s round on the calendar from 1995 until 2004. But the premier class is now going back to Goiania for round two of the 2026 MotoGP season, as part of a five-year contract with the circuit named after F1 legend Ayrton Senna.
READ MORE: All you need to know about the Brazilian Grand Prix, including Goiania stats
Who is going to win the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix?
Let us know why in the comments!
KTM ace Pedro Acosta heads to the first Brazilian GP at Goiania since 1989 leading the 2026 MotoGP riders’ standings. The Spaniard heads Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi by seven points, on 32 and 25 respectively, while 2025 champion Marquez only ranks in eighth with nine points.
While Acosta did not “feel like a winner” after winning the Buriram Sprint, his victory and P2 in the 2026 season-opening Thailand Grand Prix saw him leave as the championship leader. Bezzecchi crashed in the Sprint Race, while Marquez suffered a puncture in the Thailand GP.
How strongly Marquez will bounce back at the Brazilian GP is up for debate before the race. Marquez, Acosta and Bezzecchi are the likely favourites for the Brazilian GP, but the circuit’s nine right-hand corners to four left-hand turns has seen it be dubbed an anti-Marquez track.
So, with that in mind, MotoGP News’ expert team of writers have made their predictions for the 2026 Brazilian GP! Be sure to join the discussion on TalkingPoints with your predictions!
Who is going to take pole position for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix in Goiania?
Kyle Archer – Marco Bezzecchi: The turning ability of Aprilia’s RS-26 will surely see Marco Bezzecchi settle in quickly at Goiania and score pole for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday. He showed in Buriram how fast the RS-GP can corner, while Ducati are still finding their feet.
Ashley Hambly – Marc Marquez: A new circuit means instincts will be key over the opening sessions. And there’s no one better on the grid when it comes to getting on a bike and going flat out than Marc Marquez, so I see him taking his first pole position of the season in Brazil.
Luke Newman – Marc Marquez: A new circuit will require experience to get up to speed in time for qualifying on Saturday morning. I believe this will play into Marc Marquez’s hands, as he is no stranger to finding the limit quickly and successfully.
David Comerford – Marco Bezzecchi: Michelin are bringing their harder tyre casing to Brazil, and that has historically been Ducati’s Kryptonite. So, I will go for Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi taking pole once again.
Tyler Rowlinson – Marco Bezzecchi: It’s a tough one to call in Goiania, with the new track and unpredictable conditions. It’ll be close at the front, but I’m backing Marco Bezzecchi to narrowly take pole in Brazil.
MotoGP experts predict who will win the Sprint Race at the 2026 Brazilian GP
Kyle Archer – Pedro Acosta: While Pedro Acosta only won the Sprint Race in Thailand after Marc Marquez was ordered to drop a position, he showed the KTM RC16 can fight with the Ducati GP26 and Aprilia RS-GP. So, the Sprint in Brazil could yield Acosta’s first win on merit.
READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 Brazilian GP, with Sprint and Grand Prix start times
Ashley Hambley – Marc Marquez: We became accustomed to seeing Marc Marquez disappear once the lights dropped last year, and I think the Sprint Race podium in Goiania will be where he makes his first appearance on the top step in 2026. He was awfully close to spoiling Pedro Acosta’s party last time out, and he won’t make the same mistake twice.
Luke Newman – Marc Marquez: It may be the normal and boring answer, but I believe that Marc Marquez’s experience will once again come into play in the Sprint Race. After missing out on victory in the Sprint Race in Thailand, Marquez will have a point to prove in Brazil. The only rider who will be able to stop Marquez on Saturday is Marquez.
David Comerford – Marco Bezzecchi: Marco Bezzecchi may have crashed out of the Sprint in Thailand, but I think he will convert pole position this time. It’s absolutely critical to pick up every possible point while Marc Marquez isn’t at 100%.
Tyler Rowlinson – Marc Marquez: The Sprint in Buriram didn’t disappoint, and I have a feeling Goiania will be even more exciting. This will be a very tight Sprint to call, but Marc Marquez will be wanting revenge after losing last time out to Pedro Acosta. He’ll clinch the win on Saturday.
Which MotoGP rider is the favourite to win the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Marco Bezzecchi: The Sprint Race format could help Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez disrupt Marco Bezzecchi’s rhythm on Saturday. But Bezzecchi will be the favourite to win the Brazilian GP on Sunday, converting pole position and pulling away from the start.
Ashley Hambly – Pedro Acosta: Marc Marquez may have to wait to add the Autodromo Internacional Goiania – Ayrton Senna to his list of conquests in the Grand Prix format, as I think Pedro Acosta will be able to benefit from his expected future Ducati teammate’s lack of full fitness to snatch his first proper victory in MotoGP.
Luke Newman – Marco Bezzecchi: The Italian put on a dominant display in Thailand and will carry his momentum to Brazil. If Marco Bezzecchi can get into a rhythm at the front in the early stages, I don’t see anyone being able to stop him across the 31-lap Grand Prix.
David Comerford – Jorge Martin: I’m actually going to go a little bit outside the box here and say Jorge Martin. He hasn’t even had a podium with Aprilia yet, but the unfamiliarity of the circuit could compensate for his mileage deficit on the RS-GP26.
Tyler Rowlinson – Pedro Acosta: This is the weekend that Pedro Acosta gets his first MotoGP win, for real this time. The KTM rider has been hugely impressive thus far in 2026, and it feels like that win is coming this year. Given the chaotic nature of the Brazilian GP, a few retirements and some gutsy overtakes will see Acosta finally clinch the victory he has been longing for.
MotoGP experts predict the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix podium in Goiania
What’s your podium prediction for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Bezzecchi, Acosta, Martin: Pedro Acosta will use what he learns from the Sprint to reach the Brazilian Grand Prix podium behind Marco Bezzecchi. And Goiania will see another Ducati-less podium, after no Ducati riders made the rostrum for the first time since 2021 in Thailand. Instead, the RS-GP will see Jorge Martin get his first Aprilia podium.
Ashley Hambly – Acosta, Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez: Marco Bezzecchi will certainly be in contention this week after his victory in Thailand. And I can see him taking P2 behind Pedro Acosta, while Alex Marquez completes the podium positions aboard his new factory Ducati.
Luke Newman – Bezzecchi, Marc Marquez, Martin: Even though he will once again miss out on Grand Prix victory, Marc Marquez will put on a damage limitation ride and will bring his Ducati home in second place behind Marco Bezzecchi. However, I can see Jorge Martin securing his first podium as an Aprilia rider this weekend after his performance in Thailand.
David Comerford – Martin, Bezzecchi, Marc Marquez: Marco Bezzecchi will make it an Aprilia one-two behind Jorge Martin, and then Marc Marquez will finish third – he’s almost always up there. If it’s a wet race, you can probably throw everything I’ve said out the window, though!
Tyler Rowlinson – Acosta, Bezzecchi, Marc Marquez: KTM’s Pedro Acosta, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi and Ducati’s Marc Marquez will be the frontrunners again this weekend, and it should be an entertaining fight. But I’m backing Acosta to get one over Bezzecchi, with Marquez not far behind in third
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