Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP heads to Brno for the 2026 Czech Grand Prix this week, with many wondering whether Marc Marquez could become the new title favourite if he scores another win.
Defending riders’ champion Marquez finally opened his account for the season last time out by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix from pole position. The Ducati star won his fierce fight with KTM racer Pedro Acosta at Balaton Park, for what was also his first podium this season.
Marquez’s Hungarian GP win also lifted him to fifth in the 2026 standings on 180 points, but Marco Bezzecchi (180) leads the table over Jorge Martin (160), Fabio Di Giannantonio (138) and Acosta (132). Yet Martin will head to Brno knowing he has an arm tied behind his back.
After Martin caused a huge Turn 1 crash in the Hungarian GP, from which he and Bezzecchi retired, the stewards hit the Aprilia rider with a double long lap penalty for the next Grand Prix he starts. The penalty will likely wreck any hopes that Martin has to win the Czech GP.
Who is going to win the Czech Grand Prix, and why?
The Czech GP will also see Gresini rider Alex Marquez attempt to return from injury, having missed the last two rounds after undergoing surgery in May. Marquez had a metal plate put in his right collarbone after his Catalan Grand Prix crash when he fractured his C7 vertebrae.
With all of that in mind, MotoGP News’ expert team of writers have shared their predictions for the 2026 Czech Grand Prix – from who will secure pole at Brno to who will win the race..
Which rider is the favourite to score pole position for the Czech Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Pedro Acosta: “Brno could witness another Pedro Acosta pole position, with the circuit’s characteristics potentially playing into the hands of the KTM RC16. Acosta took pole around a very similar circuit in Barcelona, and he nearly got pole at Balaton Park, too.”
Ashley Hambly – Francesco Bagnaia: “Factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia surprised everyone at Brno last year by claiming pole position, and I expect him to do the same this year. Bagnaia has started to show signs of his former self at recent race weekends, so another pole to add to his 2026 tally would certainly be a statement.”
David Comerford – Francesco Bagnaia: “I’ll go for a surprise here, why not? Francesco Bagnaia took pole position at Brno last season and after a couple of solid Saturdays in recent rounds, I’ll back him to repeat it this season.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Jorge Martin: “A return to clockwise circuits could play right into Aprilia and Jorge Martin’s hands, as there are still doubts over Marc Marquez’s fitness in right-handers. You just have to look at Mugello and how Aprilia dominated on a more physically demanding track for why I’m backing Martin for pole at Brno.”
Who will win the Brno Sprint Race at the 2026 Czech Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Pedro Acosta: “After inheriting the win thanks to Marc Marquez’s late penalty meant Pedro Acosta did not “feel like a winner” after the Sprint in Thailand earlier this term, the KTM star’s first Sprint Race win fully on merit might await in Czechia if he can get to the front of the field early on. Acosta will believe he can get his elbows out if he takes the lead.”
Ashley Hambly – Jorge Martin: “I’m expecting a tamer Jorge Martin at Brno following his disastrous start in the Hungarian GP, but I still think that he will showcase his superior Sprint pace to try and claw back some of the points he threw away last time out.
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “While I back Francesco Bagnaia to start from the front, he won’t be able to keep Marc Marquez at bay in either race at Brno. The Spaniard now has a sniff at the title, and that will restore his edge.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Marc Marquez: “Ducati rider Marc Marquez is typically the King of Sprint Races and in the shorter distance, he might have just enough physical strength to exploit the pace of the GP26 and get the victory at Brno.”
Who is the favourite to win the 2026 Czech Grand Prix at Brno?
Which rider took the greatest Czech Grand Prix victory in MotoGP history?
Let us know why in the comments!
Kyle Archer – Marc Marquez: “With his first Grand Prix win of the season now in the bag at the Hungarian GP, another win may follow for Marc Marquez at the Czech GP. And with two full weeks’ worth of rest also under his belt, the rest of the MotoGP field must be on alert.”
Ashley Hambly – Marco Bezzecchi: “Akin to Jorge Martin in the Sprint, I think it will be back to business as usual for Marco Bezzecchi in the Czech Grand Prix. Anything short of beating Martin and Marc Marquez this weekend will definitely make Bezzecchi sweat a little for the upcoming rounds of the season.”
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “I know this is a more physically demanding circuit than Balaton Park, but Marquez has had two weeks to train and build fitness. That’s why I’m backing him to take back-to-back Grand Prix wins.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Marco Bezzecchi: “The longer format is where Marco Bezzecchi will shine and Marc Marquez will struggle, in my opinion.
“Marquez admitted in Hungary that he was growing tired with his shoulder towards the end of the race. And with Brno putting more strain on that right-hand side, it could be difficult for Marquez to catch Bezzecchi, who will be fast on the Aprilia this weekend.”
Who will be on the 2026 Czech Grand Prix podium?
Kyle Archer – Marquez, Acosta, Bezzecchi: “Having to serve two long lap penalties in the Czech Grand Prix will surely dash any hopes that Jorge Martin has of scoring a podium at Brno. Instead, he will have to hope that Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta can take points away from Marco Bezzecchi, with Francesco Bagnaia and Ai Ogura outside contenders.”
Ashley Hambly – Bezzecchi, Marquez, Acosta: “KTM rider Pedro Acosta remains a podium threat at every race weekend, so I think he will continue to overachieve on his sub-optimal bike and add another top-three finish to his collection. Marc Marquez should be in the mix, but we will have to see how well his arm holds up on a clockwise circuit.”
David Comerford – Marquez, Acosta, Martin: “I think Francesco Bagnaia will fall away in the second half of the Czech GP, which has been a habit of his lately.
“Pedro Acosta has been riding brilliantly this season, so I fancy him to extend his record of scoring the most Grand Prix podiums without a win.
“For the final spot, I expect Jorge Martin to respond after a public dressing-down from Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola after his crash in Hungary, even if he’s still feeling some affects and has to serve a penalty.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Bezzecchi, Acosta, Bagnaia: “Aprilia will return to form and bounce back with Marco Bezzecchi on the top spot. Then I’m backing Pedro Acosta to grab another P2 for KTM and to beat Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducatis. Acosta’s been looking strong on the RC16, and will ride that bike to the absolute limit.”
If Marc Marquez wins the Czech Grand Prix, is he the 2026 MotoGP title favourite?
Kyle Archer: “Marco Bezzecchi et al will never have written Marc Marquez off for the title in the early rounds while the Spaniard was still dealing with what proved to be a nerve issue in his right shoulder. Even with his injury, Marquez still won the Sprints in Brazil and Barcelona.
“Now, given how quickly Marquez returned from undergoing surgery to remove two screws from his shoulder and secured P7 at Mugello before he won at Balaton Park, Bezzecchi et al will surely fear another win for the Spaniard at Brno will make him the 2026 title favourite.”
Ashley Hambly: “Absolutely. Marco Bezzecchi currently leads the standings, but another flawless weekend from Marquez would close the deficit dramatically. A victory would confirm that he has finally turned up to defend his crown.”
David Comerford: “Yes. It seems strange to say it because the gap will still be large, but Marquez remains the best rider on the grid when fit by a margin. If he proves that he’s overcome his injury issues by winning here, it’s hard to see Bezzecchi and Aprilia hanging on with so many races left.”
Tyler Rowlinson: “I think it really hinges on whether he can maintain a strong fitness level and get as close to 100% as he can. Even if he wins in Czechia, the Aprilia is clearly the stronger bike and over the course of the season, should have enough to beat Marquez and Ducati.”
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