Marco Bezzecchi won the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, securing his third consecutive victory of the 2026 season, officials said. Bezzecchi led all 20 laps despite starting fourth and became the first Aprilia rider to win three straight races, extending his championship lead and setting a modern-era record for consecutive laps led.
Marco Bezzecchi led every lap of the 20-lap MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Sunday, despite starting from fourth on the grid after a two-place penalty for impeding in qualifying, race officials said. Bezzecchi maintained a commanding pace throughout the race, ultimately finishing ahead of his Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin, who secured second place, according to official race results. The one-two finish marked a significant achievement for Aprilia, with Bezzecchi raising his arms in celebration on lap 19, sources confirmed.
Bezzecchi’s victory at the Grand Prix of the Americas increased his lead in the 2026 MotoGP World Championship to four points over Martin, who trails him in second place, championship records indicate.
Bezzecchi’s victory at Austin extended his winning streak to three consecutive MotoGP races in the 2026 season, following wins in Thailand and Brazil earlier this year, records show. Including the final two races of the 2025 season, Bezzecchi’s streak reached five straight Grand Prix wins, setting a new modern-era record, according to MotoGP statistics. The Italian rider also set a new record by leading 121 consecutive Grand Prix laps en route to these victories, surpassing the previous mark held by Jorge Lorenzo at the United States Grand Prix.
The Aprilia Racing team celebrated its first one-two finish since the start of the 2026 season, with Bezzecchi’s win marking the first time an Aprilia rider has won three consecutive MotoGP races, team officials said. Bezzecchi’s performance on the Aprilia RS-GP demonstrated consistent dominance, as he took the early lead and never relinquished it during the race at Austin. Jorge Martin closed the gap to within one second in the closing laps but was unable to overtake, finishing four points behind Bezzecchi in the championship standings, according to the official points tally.
The Italian rider had temporarily lost the championship lead earlier in the season but regained it with his win in Austin. Bezzecchi began the 2026 season with victories in the first three Grands Prix—Thailand, Brazil, and the United States—and extended his points advantage with the latest win, according to MotoGP officials.
The Circuit of the Americas race saw Bezzecchi break Jorge Lorenzo’s record for most consecutive laps led during the United States Grand Prix, with Bezzecchi leading every lap from start to finish, sources confirmed. The race featured 20 laps, and Bezzecchi’s ability to maintain the lead from fourth on the grid underscored his competitive edge. The third-place finisher was Acosta, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio riding a VR46 Ducati, as reported by race officials.
Marco Bezzecchi, born Nov. 12, 1998, in Rimini, Italy, joined Aprilia Racing for the 2025 and 2026 seasons alongside Jorge Martin, team announcements state. Bezzecchi’s first MotoGP win came in the 2023 Argentine Grand Prix under rainy conditions, where he also took the championship lead for the first time. He subsequently won the 1000th MotoGP race at the 2023 French Grand Prix and finished third overall that year. His 2025 British Grand Prix victory was notable for starting from the 11th grid position and marked his first win in over 600 days since the 2023 Indian Grand Prix.
Bezzecchi signed a two-year contract extension with Aprilia Racing through the 2027-2028 seasons, the team confirmed in early February 2026. The extension followed his series of strong performances, including the current winning streak and consistent top finishes. Aprilia had experienced a period of limited success prior to Bezzecchi’s recent victories, with no wins for over a year before the 2025 season breakthroughs, according to team history records.
The 2026 MotoGP season continues with Bezzecchi leading the championship standings, holding a four-point advantage over Jorge Martin after the Austin race. The next Grand Prix is scheduled for later this month, where Bezzecchi will aim to extend his record-setting streak and championship lead, according to the official MotoGP calendar.
