THUNDERSTORMS IN MISANO AS 2026 SAN MARINO GP WEEKEND GETS UNDERWAY

The 2026 MotoGP season heads to Misano for the San Marino Grand Prix this weekend, with the race set for September 13 and a 13-lap Sprint scheduled for Saturday, September 12. The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli will host round 14 of the campaign, with MotoGP returning to Italy alongside a continued title fight between Aprilia and Ducati at the front of the standings.

Jorge Martin leads the Noale challenge into Misano, with Aprilia sitting top in the riders’ standings. Ducati’s Marc Marquez has closed the gap after a strong run at MotorLand Aragon, where he delivered a double to cut his deficit to Martin down to 19 points. Marquez’s Aragon form came after Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi stunned Ducati by taking pole and setting a new lap record in qualifying, but Marquez still won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix at the Spanish venue.

Misano is a track where Marquez’s record stands out. The source notes he has eight wins across all classes at the San Marino GP and has won MotoGP’s San Marino race four times so far, including each of the past two editions. That history makes the weekend particularly significant for Ducati, especially as the circuit’s characteristics—fast sections paired with technical corners—can reward a rider who can attack confidently through the right-hand turns.

However, Marquez’s right arm injury remains a key talking point heading into Misano. The report highlights that the condition could hinder him in specific areas, particularly through Curvone and the final sequence of corners. With that in mind, Aprilia will be looking to press its advantage at a venue expected to suit the RS-GP’s strengths well, potentially turning the Aprilia–Ducati duel into a sharper contest on Sunday.

The weekend’s schedule begins on Friday with FP1 from 09:45–10:30 UK time, followed by FP2 and qualifying on Saturday morning. The Sprint is set for 14:00 UK time, with the full San Marino GP on Sunday at 13:00 UK time. In the UK, TNT Sports will broadcast the full weekend live, and it will also provide a free-to-air replay of the Misano Sprint on Quest after the 13-lap race finishes. Free highlights are also planned via TNT Sports and MotoGP’s YouTube channels after each session.

Weather is another potential factor at Misano. After the heat at Aragon, the forecast for the San Marino GP week includes thunderstorms from Thursday through Sunday, with thundery showers expected across the period. While the chance of rain is not projected to exceed 47% during any race session, the report suggests wet conditions could still be on the cards, with the most likely rainfall at 19:00 on Saturday. Friday’s FP1 carries a 47% chance of rain with highs around 23°C and light winds, while the probability drops to 38% before the timed pre-qualifying practice. Saturday’s FP2 is listed at a 46% chance of rain, falling to 31% for qualifying, while the Sprint is the first session not forecast to start in rainy or thundery conditions, despite a 25% chance of rain.

On Sunday, thunder and rain return to the forecast, with warm-up at a 35% chance of rain and the Grand Prix start at a 30% chance, alongside wind speeds reaching 10mph—the highest of the weekend.

There is also a notable rider absence. KTM Tech3 has confirmed that Maverick Viñales will miss the San Marino Grand Prix due to a shoulder injury. The report states that Pol Espargaro will replace him, and that Viñales hopes it will be his final missed round after the injury first surfaced in Germany in July 2025. Espargaro has already stood in for Viñales at Silverstone, MotorLand Aragon and Misano to allow the Spaniard to focus on recovery, after doctors found a small tear in Viñales’ infraspinatus muscle during the summer break. Viñales had his shoulder checked ahead of the British Grand Prix and is still not feeling right a year after his Germany crash.

The source adds that Viñales is expected to be the only full-time rider missing at Misano. Johann Zarco and Fermin Aldeguer are both reported as having returned from their injury issues at Aragon, though Zarco’s Aragon result was affected by a double long lap penalty, making Misano his first chance to translate his pace into a cleaner outcome.

Looking back to last year, Marc Marquez won the 2025 San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, delivering Ducati’s victory at a circuit often seen as more of a home event for Ducati’s rivals. The report notes that Marquez’s win came after he bounced back from crashing out of the Sprint, and that he beat Marco Bezzecchi by 0.568 seconds in the Grand Prix. It also recalls that some fans booed Marquez after the Sprint crash, while Bezzecchi won the Sprint at Misano in 2025. With Marquez’s shoulder still in question, the report suggests a repeat of the Marquez–Bezzecchi battle could be possible if the injury allows him to attack freely through Misano’s right-hand turns.