Bezzecchi Tops Austria MotoGP Warm-up as Acosta Crashes Again

Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest time in the warm-up session for the 2026 Austrian MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring, lapping at 1m 29.337s, with Marc Marquez 0.157s adrift in second. The session was once again marred by a crash for Pedro Acosta, his latest incident in a dramatic weekend.

Acosta, who crashed out of the lead in Saturday's Sprint race, handing victory to Bezzecchi's teammate Jorge Martin, slid off at high speed into Turn 9 in the final minute, sending his KTM cartwheeling through the gravel. It was another bitter blow for the young Spaniard.

There was more drama on the other side of the KTM garage as teammate Brad Binder suffered an early highside at Turn 4 and took no further part in the session. With the grand prix just hours away, KTM will be working frantically to regroup.

Baca JugaAcosta Cedera? Crash Warm-up Austria Jadi Pertanda Baik

Aprilia's Pace and Tyre Strategy

Bezzecchi's performance on the Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 was a statement of intent. He led a tight group that saw Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) and Acosta complete the top three, with Martin fourth. Notably, almost all riders opted for the medium rear tyre in warm-up, a shift from the soft tyre that dominated the Sprint. Only Pecco Bagnaia and Pol Espargaro stuck with the soft option, likely preparing for the longer 28-lap race where tyre management will be critical.

The Red Bull Ring's stop-and-go nature puts immense strain on the rear tyre, making the medium compound a wise choice for the grand prix. This strategic call could prove decisive in the closing stages of the race.

Elsewhere, the absence of Maverick Vinales continued, with Pol Espargaro again deputising at Tech3 KTM due to the Spaniard's shoulder injury. Joan Mir was also missing, still recovering from extreme fatigue that forced him out of the Misano race. Medical checks in Barcelona revealed altered blood parameters, and he will undergo further investigation. Honda test rider Takaaki Nakagami took his place.

As the warm-up concludes, Bezzecchi has thrown down the gauntlet, but the crashes for Acosta and Binder serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that await in the Austrian Grand Prix.