MotoGP Spanish GP: Alex Marquez Wins in Jerez as Marc Marquez Crashes Out

Alex Marquez picked the perfect place to finally put Ducati back on top. The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix had all the usual Jerez madness, packed grandstands, big expectations, early drama, and one seriously polished ride from the Gresini Ducati rider. Starting fifth, Alex was never the obvious favourite when the lights went out, especially with Marc Marquez on pole and Marco Bezzecchi arriving after five straight wins for Aprilia. But by the time the chequered flag dropped, it was Alex who had delivered Ducati’s first win of the season, and he did it in proper style.

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This was not one of those lucky victories where the race just falls into your lap. Alex built this one properly. He stayed smart in the opening laps, kept the bike clean while others pushed too hard, and then started carving his way through when it mattered.

Once he got to the front, the rhythm was there, the confidence was there, and around Jerez, that is usually enough. He controlled the race beautifully and crossed the line in 40m 48.861s, two seconds clear, with Ducati finally ending Aprilia’s grip on 2026.

And yes, there was something poetic about it too. Exactly one year after his first MotoGP win at this very track, Alex came back and did it again. Jerez clearly brings out something extra in him. Fourth MotoGP win, first since Malaysia last year, and probably one of the most satisfying of the lot.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez’s race went from dream start to disaster in a flash. Pole position, factory Ducati, home crowd, and then suddenly, gravel trap at Turn 11 on lap one. Classic Jerez can be brutal like that. Francesco Bagnaia’s mechanical retirement on lap 13 only added to Ducati Factory Team’s misery, even if the broader Ducati camp still had reason to celebrate thanks to Alex.

Marco Bezzecchi had to settle for second after looking almost unstoppable in recent rounds, though he still leaves Jerez with his championship advantage intact. Fabio di Giannantonio kept him honest throughout and grabbed another solid podium in third.

Jorge Martin’s recovery to fourth was gritty, while Trackhouse riders Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez quietly stole headlines with fifth and sixth.

Johann Zarco’s seventh also marked Honda’s best Sunday result of the season. Jerez delivered another proper MotoGP classic, but this one belonged to Alex Marquez, the rider who turned Ducati’s season from frustration into belief.