Bezzecchi Dominates Friday Practice in Buriram Amidst Weather Chaos

Marco Bezzecchi praises Aprilia's quick reaction to weather changes after topping Friday practice at the 2026 Thai MotoGP by over 0.4 seconds.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 27, 2026, 6:35 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from BikeSportNews

Aprilia's Rapid Response Key to Bezzecchi's Success

Marco Bezzecchi’s transition to Aprilia reached a new high on Friday at the Buriram International Circuit. The Italian rider showed dominant pace in both sessions, particularly during the second time attack where he gapped the field by nearly half a second. The performance was made more impressive by the volatile weather conditions in the afternoon. As rain and heavy winds hit the track, Bezzecchi and his crew had to abandon their original plan mid-session.

Bezzecchi was quick to credit his mechanics for their agility during the pressure-cooker moment. He noted that even when he made the unplanned decision to pit, the team was fully prepared for the change. This mechanical and strategic readiness was the "key" to his success on a day where many other riders struggled to find a rhythm amidst the changing elements.

Modesty Amidst a Field of Heavy Hitters

Despite his commanding lead on the timesheets, Bezzecchi is refusing to label himself the weekend favorite. In post-practice interviews, he consistently pointed toward Marc Marquez as the primary threat for Sunday’s race. He emphasized that the reigning champion has a unique ability to be "always there" when the lights go out, regardless of Friday practice rankings.

Bezzecchi also highlighted a long list of contenders who showed strong race pace on Friday: