Marco Bezzecchi demonstrated a significant improvement in his performance during Friday practice for the US MotoGP at COTA, securing the fourth fastest lap time. This marks a substantial leap from his struggles in Brazil the previous week. However, he faces a formidable challenge from seven-time COTA winner Marc Marquez, who once again showcased his exceptional speed and adaptability on the circuit.
Key Takeaways
- Marco Bezzecchi expressed satisfaction with his Friday performance, noting it was "much better than last Friday in Brazil."
- Bezzecchi avoided the stress of Qualifying 1, lapping just 0.200 seconds behind pacesetter Marc Marquez.
- Marc Marquez was described as "super strong" and demonstrated his ability to be quick in a short amount of time, despite a minor incident.
- Bezzecchi is still working to feel completely comfortable with his bike but is happy with the progress made.
- Bezzecchi currently leads the championship by 11 points over his teammate Jorge Martin, who finished seventh in practice.
Bezzecchi’s Resurgence at COTA
Marco Bezzecchi, the current world championship leader, began his weekend at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with a much-improved showing. After a challenging Friday in Brazil where he qualified 20th, Bezzecchi’s fourth-place finish in the opening practice session in Texas signals a positive turn of form. He managed to stay clear of the stressful Qualifying 1 session, a significant achievement given his previous difficulties.
"It was a positive Friday – much better than last Friday in Brazil!" Bezzecchi stated. "Overall, I felt good this morning and also this afternoon. We have to keep working because I still don’t feel completely right with the bike, but I can’t complain at all. And we have a lot of data to watch. Also, Ai [Ogura] was fast, so overall I’m happy."
Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin, finished seventh in the practice session, maintaining Bezzecchi’s championship lead by 11 points.
Marquez’s Unwavering Speed
Marc Marquez, a multiple-time winner at COTA, once again proved his prowess on the American track. Despite a minor incident where something appeared to fall off his bike as he left the pits, Marquez set the fastest lap time and was described by Bezzecchi as "super strong." His ability to quickly find pace was evident, making him a clear favorite for the weekend’s races.
When asked about the prospect of battling Marquez, Bezzecchi acknowledged the Spaniard’s strength: "Well, Marc has been super strong. Besides the crash, he showed that he can be very quick in a very short amount of time. But we are trying to make the best, so hopefully I can make a small step for tomorrow. I need it, to be quicker, and then we will see."
Looking Ahead
While Bezzecchi is pleased with his progress, he acknowledges that there is still work to be done to feel completely at one with his bike. The data gathered from his teammate Ai Ogura, who also showed good pace, will be crucial for further improvements. Bezzecchi is aiming to make another step forward for Saturday’s sessions, hoping to challenge the likes of Marquez for top honors. Despite his strong Sunday performances, Bezzecchi is still seeking his first Sprint podium of the 2026 season, having crashed in Thailand and finished fourth in Brazil.