03.10.2026
MotoGP 2026 - Round 16 of 22, Motegi Mobility Resort – Qualification and Sprint
Red Bull KTM continued to set the pace in 2026 MotoGP thanks to Enea Bastianini’s chase for the podium today at a sunny Motegi Mobility Resort for the sixteenth Sprint of the season. The Italian took his KTM RC16 to 3rd place past the flag but was then demoted to 4th after marginally touching track limits on the last lap. The KTM GP Academy achieved front row distinction in Moto3™ thanks to Red Bull KTM Ajo pairing Brian Uriarte and Alvaro Carpe who will both start on the front row of the grid tomorrow.
Highlights and key moments from Motegi:
- Enea Bastianini is denied his second Sprint podium of the season in Japan after charging from 7th on the grid to the rear wheel of 2nd. The Italian takes six points for 4th
- 15th for Maverick Viñales who returns to the track for the first time since the German Grand Prix
- A DNF for luckless Pedro Acosta who started from the front row but was hit into the gravel by another rider on the first lap while Brad Binder takes 18th after running off the track at Turn 1
- Moto3 front row real estate with 2nd and 3rd for both Brian Uriarte and Alvaro Carpe for the second race in succession as the grid readies for the 17-lap race on Sunday morning
The Red Bull KTM MotoGP contingent travelled to Japan and the first of five non-European Grands Prix still elated after their victory of the season in Austria two weeks ago. Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder were reenergized for the long-haul journey by personal best results this season at the Red Bull Ring and immediately got to work around the resurfaced and demanding course at Motegi. The combination of 14 tight turns and heavy braking and acceleration of the layout brought an acute test for the MotoGP field.
Acosta fought for P1 on Friday and rested just 0.076 of a second from the mark after a bright Friday Practice session. He was joined for direct Q2 access by Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Enea Bastianini with decent one-lap potential. On Saturday morning Brad Binder and the returning Maverick Viñales were 7th and 9th respectively in Q1 for 17th and 19th on the grid for the Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix. Acosta and Bastianini surged through their Q2 time attacks as only half a second split the top ten: Pedro was 3rd fastest while Enea slotted onto the tip of the third row in 7th.
The Sprint rounded Motegi for 12 laps but Acosta barely completed two corners before he was punted out of 4th and into the run-off for Turn 3. Bastianini was able to capitalize on the drama and manage his tires across the hard-wearing asphalt. Enea attacked the rear wheel of Jorge Martin for the runner-up slot on the final circulation but both riders were adjudged to have exceeded track limits and were demoted one position each. Enea classified in 4th and missed the chance for his third Sprint medal on the KTM RC16 and the 11th of his career. Maverick crossed the line in 15th as he attempts his acclimatization to MotoGP speed while Brad fought outside of the top ten. His race was effectively over when he ran deep into the gravel on the outside of Turn 1 with four laps to go. Binder was also given a Long Lap penalty for track limits.
The 24-lap Grand Prix begins at the customary local hour of 14.00, which means a start of 07.00 for viewers on CEST.
Enea Bastianini, 7th in qualification, 4th in the Sprint: “I was a bit frustrated…but, for the rest, I’m quite happy because I was solid from the start until the end of the race and I was also good in qualifying. I’m used to seeing many riders in front of me on the grid! But today I was on the third row and it was very beautiful to be on top again fighting for something good. I hope this will be the first step for the rest of the championship. My tires were so-so at the end, not as bad as others, and tomorrow I think it would be risky to put the soft. We will have to talk to understand what will be the best choice.”
Maverick Viñales, 19th in qualification, 15th in the Sprint: “I did the whole Sprint race in quite a good way, and felt strength all the way through, which is good. I am still lacking some explosive movements on the bike but this will come by riding and work in the gym so I am not too worried. I am getting used to the bike and it demands a different riding style than what I would normally do so I need laps and, step-by-step, I am getting there. I was expecting to struggle more here but I had a clear objective in working on fast changes of direction and compared to last year it is a different story so I am quite satisfied. Now it is a matter of putting lots of things together and having a bit more trust in the bike.”
Brad Binder, 17th in qualification, 18th in the Sprint: “The morning started quite well and the first run in Q1 was quite good but I bailed on the second; which wasn’t ideal because it was a flyer. I feel like I got hit by a bus right now…but I really want to thank the whole team – my boys and Pedro’s – who helped get me a bike ready for the Sprint. In the race I didn’t get a bad start but I was having a lot of issues sliding and chattering with the front into Turn 1. Definitely a day to forget and hopefully better tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I can do a much better job than today. The bike has potential here.”
Pedro Acosta, 3rd in qualification, DNF in the Sprint: “Well, we had the opportunity to make a podium and to catch some points back but in three corners we lost everything. It ended too soon…but races are like this. I was feeling quite good this morning with the medium, some good laps. Let’s see for tomorrow.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Disappointing that Pedro’s race was already over on the first lap and it didn’t last too much longer for Brad in the fight for positions. A shame because we saw yesterday that we are quite competitive here in Motegi. In any case we have a new chance tomorrow and we have been strong many times in the full-distance GP. most positive thing today was Enea’s position, and unfortunately he lost the podium on the last lap but the performance was really great. Also, it’s a positive that we finally have Maverick back and he is recovering well on the track. We hope we can take advantage of the potential the bike has here. We have to be fully prepared.”
Grand Prix of Japan photographs can be found HERE
Results Qualifying MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan
1. Jorge Martin (ESP) Aprilia 1:42.371
2. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati +0.110
3. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.122
7. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.298
17. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:43.399 (Q1)
19. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Red Bull KTM Tech3 1:43.605 (Q1)
Results MotoGP Sprint Grand Prix of Japan
1. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati 20:50.376
2. Diogo Moreira (BRA) Honda +2.754
3. Jorge Martin (ESP) Aprilia +2.466
4. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +2.508
15. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +20.469
18. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +41.284
DNF. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
KTM GP Academy
Moto3 practice and qualification afforded some valuable acclimatization laps for Motegi rookies Brian Uriarte and Rico Salmela while Alvaro Carpe and Valentin Perrone set their sights on bettering their 2025 performances (14th and 4th respectively) in Japan. Uriarte continued his bright pace-setting and development in Moto3 by taking his KTM RC4 to 2nd position in Q2 and was less than five hundredths of a second from a second Pole Position in a row. Close behind was Carpe, just 0.075 from the top spot. Salmela showed promise with a decent P7 (the third row) and Perrone will undoubtedly be part of the lead group also tomorrow thanks to his P8 qualifier. Moto3 kicks off the Grand Prix program on Sunday with 17 laps.
Moto2™ meant an educational outing for Red Bull KTM Ajo. Jose Antonio Rueda attempted his first chrono attack of Motegi in the category and was without friend and teammate Collin Veijer as the Dutchman is still recovering from surgery on his left collarbone. Veijer’s saddle was instead filled by another rookie, double European Moto2 champ Milan Pawelec. The 19-year-old Pole has made brief fill-in appearances in 2025 and 2026 but Japan represented his first Grand Prix overseas. Milan was 27th after Q1 and Q2 while Rueda obtained the 15th best lap-time for the fifth row of the grid.
Results Qualifying Moto3 Grand Prix of Japan
1. David Almansa (ESP), KTM 1:54.572
2. Brian Uriarte (ESP), Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.045
3. Alvaro Carpe (ESP), Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.075
4. Maximo Quiles (ESP) CFMOTO Aspar Team +0.282
7. Rico Salmela (FIN), Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.675
8. Valentin Perrone (ARG) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.882
9. Marco Morelli (ARG) CFMOTO Aspar Team +0.897
Results Qualifying Moto2 Grand Prix of Japan
1. Izan Guevara (ESP) 1:46.851
2. Filip Salac (CZE) +0.051
3. Manuel Gonzalez (ESP) +0.110
4. Daniel Holgado (ESP) CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team +0.116
6. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team +0.252
15. Jose Antonio Rueda (ESP) Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.768
27. Milan Pawelec (POL) Red Bull KTM Ajo 1:49.697 (Q1)
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