Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Marquez has admitted that he must ‘improve’ one flaw despite beating Pedro Acosta to victory at the Catalan Sprint.
This weekend, the 2026 MotoGP campaign continues with the Catalan Grand Prix, taking place around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
On Saturday morning, KTM star Acosta secured pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix, ahead of Franco Morbidelli and Marquez.
A few hours after qualifying, the Sprint took place, with Acosta and Marquez sharing a tight battle at the front as championship chaser Jorge Martin failed to finish after a crash.
In the end, it was Marquez who won the Catalan Sprint as he finished just 0.041 seconds ahead of Acosta, with Fabio Di Giannantonio third.
Alex Marquez beats Pedro Acosta to win the Sprint! Is the Gresini rider now your favourite for the Catalan Grand Prix?
Alex Marquez admits flaw he must ‘improve’ after ‘struggling’ in Catalan Sprint
Speaking after the session, Marquez expressed his happiness over the victory but admitted that he struggled during the race and will have to improve if he wants to win Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The 30-year-old Gresini rider stated that tyre management is something he must improve on. Marquez had fought his way to the front before having to hold off a late Acosta charge in the final few laps while managing his front tyre.
Marquez said on the MotoGP world feed: “I was just trying to focus on myself, trying to be really on the pace. I struggled a little bit with the front tyre in the end, and maybe I pushed a little bit too much at the beginning. So, it’s just how to manage everything.
“I need to improve for tomorrow, for sure, in the management of the front tyre. But in the end, a victory today was so, so important. I was able to fly and catch again. So, I’m really happy.”
Very fine margins decided the Catalan Sprint as Alex Marquez won – Who was your rider of the Race?
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Pedro Acosta says KTM are not at the level of Ducati after losing to Alex Marquez in Catalan Sprint
Although he finished closely behind Marquez, Acosta went on to admit that KTM are currently not at the same level as Ducati.
The 21-year-old said: “We have to be happy. We know that, at the moment, we are not at the same level of Ducati.
”We were at the end of the races, finally battling with them. We have to be happy, more information for tomorrow. It was quite important to finish this Sprint race.”
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