BEZZECCHI AIMS TO KEEP TITLE FIGHT ALIVE IN QATAR

Marco Bezzecchi heads to the Qatar Grand Prix knowing his 2026 title hopes are close to slipping away. With three rounds remaining, he must score at least eight points more than championship leader Marc Marquez in Losail to keep the contest mathematically alive. Bezzecchi, now third in the standings, is also looking over his shoulder: Pedro Acosta is 37 points behind after a stronger showing in Sepang.

Rather than dwell on the setbacks of the season, the Aprilia rider says he is focused on speed. “The situation is obviously difficult, with only three rounds left and the gap already quite big,” he said. “But my goal is clear: to ride as fast as possible and keep the fight alive.”

Bezzecchi recognises the scale of the challenge. Marquez won both Qatar races last year, while Aprilia struggled for pace, and the Spaniard’s level is well known. Still, Bezzecchi believes circumstances have changed and expects to be in contention at the front this time.

He also offered a playful comparison to describe how his relationship with the RS-GP has developed. When he first brought the bike to Losail in spring 2025, he said, it felt like “the first weekend trip with my new girlfriend,” with the pair constantly arguing about everything. Since then, “our relationship has become much stronger,” he said, adding that he hopes the improvement will show on track.

Bezzecchi arrives in better physical condition than Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin and is coming off a commanding victory in Mandalika, his latest win. Whether that form and the bike are enough to challenge Marquez in Qatar remains the central question as he tries to prolong his title bid.