The race was marred by two red flags and multiple crashes, including serious incidents with Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta.
Published May 17, 2026
VR46 Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio won the Catalunya Grand Prix in unusual circumstances, taking the checkered flag after a race that was red-flagged twice due to multiple crashes.
It was only the Italian’s second win in MotoGP and first for VR46 Racing since the Indian Grand Prix in 2023, but Sunday’s victory was overshadowed by a serious accident that sent Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco to hospital.
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Honda’s Joan Mir finished second ahead of Gresini Racing’s Fermin Aldeguer, but pole sitter Acosta crashed on the final lap due to contact with trackhouse rider Ai Ogura and was given a three-second penalty.
However, six riders had their tire pressures checked, leaving the final standings uncertain.
Di Giannantonio said: “Today was not an easy day for anyone and I sincerely hope Alex is well.”
“We’ve been really lucky. We know our sport is great. We’re trying to put on a great show, but at the same time we’re human beings and we’re at risk. So I really hope everyone is safe.”
Alex Marquez collides with Acosta
The drama began on lap 12 when race leader Pedro Acosta’s KTM suddenly lost power on the straight around Turn 10, and Gresini Racing’s Marquez, who was running second, had no time to react before colliding with the rear of the damaged machine.
Marquez and Ducati careered towards the wall, but lost control on the gravel road and both cartwheeled and skidded through the air.
The wheel of Marquez’s bike also hit Di Giannantonio, who went down but managed to get his car back to the pits.
The second red flag came after LCR Honda’s Zarco braked late at Turn 1 on lap one, knocking out Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia and Honda’s Luca Marini in a three-car duel, followed by a chaotic restart.
Marquez and Zarco were taken to hospital for further tests, where medical teams confirmed they were conscious.
Martin crashes on second restart
The second restart turned what was originally a 24-lap race into a 12-lap sprint.
Chaos continued as Jorge Martin, who had started on the front row and appeared to be fighting for the championship lead, crashed on the first lap when trackhouse Raul Fernandez collided with him in a turn.
Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola looked furious as he walked into the Trackhouse garage to talk to the Italian manufacturer’s satellite team.
Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi finished sixth, with the Italian extending his lead over Martin in the championship to 13 points.
But at the front, Di Giannantonio found a way past Mir with four laps to go, chased down Acosta and took the lead with two laps to go, dashing the 21-year-old’s dreams of a first MotoGP victory.
Acosta’s nightmare ended with a crash on the final lap.
“It wasn’t an easy game. They should give them more points in this one,” Mir said.
“But Johan and Alex wish them the best of luck and hopefully we’ll see them at Mugello,” he said at the Italian Grand Prix.
