Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi has written his name into the MotoGP history books after clinching his fifth win in a row at the United States Grand Prix.
The Aprilia rider has dominated the premier class since the end of 2025. Bezzecchi has won races in Portimao, Valencia, Buriram, Goiania, and now COTA on the bounce.
Bezzecchi secured another Aprilia 1-2 finish at the United States Grand Prix, beating teammate Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta to the chequered flag. It marked a great comeback after he crashed out of a podium position in the Sprint.
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The Italian has now reclaimed the lead of the championship over Martin, who won the Sprint race on Saturday. Bezzecchi has also written his name in the record books, breaking Jorge Lorenzo’s record of most consecutive laps led, which now stands at 121.
He also joins MotoGP legends Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Jack Doohan, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez on the list of riders to have won five races in a row. After the race at COTA, fans could not help but compare Bezzecchi to Lorenzo.
MotoGP fans think Marco Bezzecchi looks like Jorge Lorenzo after United States Grand Prix win
Bezzecchi’s dominance in Austin, and in the previous four races, has drawn comparisons to the Spartan, with fans on Reddit likening the Aprilia star to the Spartan after the United States GP.
One fan said: “No aero, no problem. Ridiculous. Bezz transforms into Lorenzo every Sunday!” The Aprilia rider made contact with Acosta on the opening lap, sustaining minimal damage to his RS-GP.
“Is that prime Lorenzo on that Aprilia? Simply sublime performance by Bez,” said one user. Another commented: “Now I can finally be happy for a rider who wins like Lorenzo.”
Marco Bezzecchi breaks Jorge Lorenzo’s record for consecutive laps led!
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“Kudos to Bez for another masterclass on a Sunday, he’s starting to look a lot like Jorge Lorenzo used to!” wrote another fan.
One user said: “Bez doing Lorenzo mode to take away the record of most laps led by a rider. Great achievement. First rider to win 5 races since Rossi and Marc in modern MotoGP which is another achievement.”
Another applauded the Italian’s performance, but wondered if he could win the title: “Bez domination continues, dude is unstoppable. Dare I put money on Martin winning the title this year though since he has more experience fighting for the title and is still recovering?”
Neil Hodgson says Marco Bezzecchi is now the 2026 title favourite
Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola says Bezzecchi did not fight the ‘real’ Marc Marquez at COTA, with the Ducati rider struggling with the bike and his physical condition. However, the Italian is taking advantage, as he sits 36 points ahead of the defending champion.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the race, Neil Hodgson now believes that Bezzecchi is the favourite for the title with the dominance he has been showing.
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”You can’t argue with that. Different conditions, completely different tracks. Think where those five victories have come from as well,” he said.
”Some hot tracks, some cool tracks – Valencia at the end of the year, Portimao. Greasy and hot Thailand, the bizarre track in Brazil, the quirky Austin.
“He definitely believes. If you win five MotoGP races, guess what? Your shoulders are back, your chest is out. I bet when he gets back to Italy, he’ll have bruises on his back from all the pats.”
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