Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP is finally back after the April break as the premier class descends on Jerez for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, so our expert writers have now shared their predictions.
The premier class have been apart since Aprilia ace Marco Bezzecchi won the United States Grand Prix at COTA on March 29. MotoGP was then originally set to race in Qatar on April 12 before the European leg begins in Spain, but has postponed its trip to Lusail until November.
Bezzecchi’s United States GP victory last time out extended his perfect start to 2026, having led every lap en route to winning each of the first three Grands Prix thus far. The 27-year-old also heads to Jerez leading the standings by four points over Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin.
Martin is only four points behind Bezzecchi thanks to the former winning the Sprint at COTA, where the latter once again crashed in the shortened race after he even fell from the lead in Thailand. Martin won the Sprint at COTA after overtaking Francesco Bagnaia on the final lap.
But Jerez has historically not been a kind circuit for Aprilia since the Italian factory returned as a fully-fledged works team in 2022. Since Aleix Espargaro came P3 for Aprilia in the 2022 Spanish GP, the Spaniard’s P5 in 2023 is the Noale crew’s only other top-eight at Jerez yet.
Who is going to win the Spanish Grand Prix?
And let us know why in the comments!
Instead, Jerez has been a Ducati track in recent years, with the past five Spanish GP winners all riding a Desmosedici – including Gresini’s Alex Marquez scoring his first MotoGP race win in Andalusia last year on a GP24. But Ducati have yet to win a Grand Prix so far this season.
And with that in mind, MotoGP News’ expert team of writers have offered their predictions for who will take pole position at Jerez, win the Sprint Race and win the Spanish Grand Prix.
Who will score pole position for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Jorge Martin: “While Aprilia have tended to struggle at Jerez in recent years, the RS-GP’s superior turning ability compared to the Ducati GP26 should see one of Marco Bezzecchi or Jorge Martin take pole position for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
“And given the four-week break since the United States Grand Prix, Martin should now feel fully fit following his surgeries over the winter to resolve the ongoing issues he had with his fractured collarbone and left hand. So, a first pole position with Aprilia could await Martin.”
Ashley Hambly – Jorge Martin: “Jorge Martin is one of the best riders on the grid when it comes to one-lap pace, but he’s yet to secure a front-of-the-pack start in Aprilia colours.
“He’s never taken pole at Jerez on premier class machinery, either, but this year will be the Spaniard’s best chance at replicating his feats in Moto2 and Moto3 by claiming pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.”
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “Ducati rider Marc Marquez has not been on pole since at Balaton Park last year, but I think that run ends this weekend – even if it will be extremely close with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Jorge Martin: “Aprilia are in dreamland in 2026 and will be looking to continue their dominance at Jerez. Jorge Martin is revived on the RS-GP and will want to carry on the momentum from a stunning weekend in Austin. I’m backing him for his first pole position with the Noale outfit.”
MotoGP experts predict who will win the Jerez Sprint at the 2026 Spanish GP
Kyle Archer – Jorge Martin: “His last lap overtake on Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia to win the Sprint at COTA saw Jorge Martin regain first place in the record books, as it was his 17th win in that race format. And should Martin take pole at Jerez, an 18th Sprint win should follow.”
Ashley Hambly – Marco Bezzecchi: “Marco Bezzecchi will come out in front during the duel I’m predicting between the Italian and his Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin at Jerez. Despite his dominance in the Grand Prix format, Bezzecchi has yet to secure a Sprint Race win so far in 2026, but I imagine the Spanish Grand Prix will put an end to that.”
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “I’m going with Marc Marquez, but I think we could see another brilliant battle for the win, this time with one of the Aprilia riders.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Marc Marquez: “This will be the ultimate test for Marc Marquez to see whether A, he is back to full fitness, and B, whether Ducati can challenge Aprilia after three races of being nowhere. Many are tipping Marquez to return to form at Jerez, a track he knows well, and the Sprint will be his for the taking.”
Who will win the 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez?
Kyle Archer – Marco Bezzecchi: “No rider has won the first four Grands Prix to begin any season since Marc Marquez back in 2014, but Marco Bezzecchi could achieve that feat this Sunday in the Spanish GP – following his victories in Thailand, Brazil and the United States.
“Bezzecchi has been the class of the field throughout the first three Grands Prix this season, as he built on also winning the final two Grands Prix of 2025. Another victory this Sunday at Jerez would surely deal an early hammer blow to his rivals’ riders’ title aspirations in 2026.”
Ashley Hambly – Jorge Martin: “Jorge Martin will secure his first Grand Prix victory of the season, and first since the beginning of his injury nightmare last year, this weekend.
“The 2024 champion has slowly been working his way up since the new season commenced, and a win on Sunday would be the perfect accolade to add to his pole position.”
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “I’m all in on a Marc Marquez clean sweep this weekend at Jerez. Ducati should improve, but more than that, he should be closer to 100% fitness. If he still looks out of sorts, then Ducati have real problems.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Fabio Di Giannantonio: “Amid Marc Marquez’s struggles, VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio has been Ducati’s top performer. With two pole positions in a row in Brazil and Austin, it feels like only a matter of time before he lands a top result.
“He is getting along with the GP26 and arguably riding at his best. At the moment, if any Ducati rider can stop Marco Bezzecchi’s dominance in 2026, it’s Diggia.”
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Who will complete the podium at Jerez in the 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Bezzecchi, Martin, Marquez: “Aprilia can prove once and for all that the RS-GP is a better bike than the Ducati GP26 in all scenarios by winning the Spanish Grand Prix in a one-two finish. Yet Jerez and the gap since the United States GP can help Marc Marquez at least get his first Grand Prix podium of 2026 and kick-start the Ducati star’s title defence.”
Ashley Hambly – Martin, Marquez, Acosta: “Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta will join Jorge Martin on the podium, as I expect Marco Bezzecchi to fall foul of his own ambitions during the longer format race at Jerez. Marquez is yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium so far this year, but the Spanish Grand Prix will be where he breaks this duck.”
David Comerford – Marquez, Martin, Bezzecchi: “Jorge Martin will finish second ahead of Marco Bezzecchi, tightening up the championship. Bezzecchi has won all three races, but he should be concerned by Martin’s trajectory.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Di Giannantonio, Marquez, Bezzecchi: “Marc Marquez’s wait for a Grand Prix podium in 2026 will end at Jerez, and he will do it ahead of Marco Bezzecchi in a result that will feel like a victory.
“Ducati have always been strong at Jerez, while Aprilia have never won here. The RS-GP is certainly stronger, but Bez may struggle to handle Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marquez this weekend, yet he will still maintain his championship lead.”
MotoGP experts predict which rider will be the biggest surprise at the 2026 Spanish GP
Kyle Archer – Ai Ogura: “Trackhouse ace Ai Ogura has been one of the stars of the season so far, and he came close to scoring his first MotoGP podium last time out in America before retiring with an engine failure. Yet the Japanese rider can still fly under the radar, which can make him the biggest surprise at Jerez if the 25-year-old can eye the Spanish GP podium.”
Ashley Hambly – Fermin Aldeguer: “Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer was still on one crutch at the United States Grand Prix, yet he managed to grab his first points of the season with P11 in the race. With the break in between rounds offering the Spaniard some more time for recovery, I can see Aldeguer securing a top five this weekend at his home Grand Prix.”
David Comerford – Joan Mir: “Let’s say Joan Mir will finally stay upright and score big points for Honda. He needs a big result, because being 19th in the championship is damning.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Ai Ogura: “Ai Ogura heartbreakingly lost an almost certain podium at COTA. He is currently riding the best he ever has in MotoGP, and with the bike behind him, he could be on course to surprise people again. It won’t be a podium, but he could very well be in contention for one.”
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