The 2026 Catalan MotoGP arrives at a crucial stage of the championship as Aprilia Racing continues to control the momentum of the title battle while Ducati faces the Barcelona round without Marc Marquez. The sixth round of the season takes place at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 15-17 May with growing pressure surrounding the championship fight.
Marco Bezzecchi heads to Barcelona leading the standings by just one point over team-mate Jorge Martin, who secured victory at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. Aprilia’s recent dominance has increasingly turned the championship battle into an internal duel between the two RS-GP factory riders.
Aprilia’s technical advantage has mainly come from its tyre management efficiency and long-run race pace under low-grip conditions. The RS-GP has also shown excellent braking stability in stop-and-go sectors, which is expected to become a key factor again at Barcelona-Catalunya. In addition, the bike’s aerodynamic balance allows riders to maintain performance consistency as track temperatures rise late in races.
Ducati, meanwhile, faces a difficult weekend after losing Marc Marquez following surgery on his right foot and right shoulder after his heavy sprint crash at Le Mans. The Italian manufacturer confirmed it will not field a replacement rider in Barcelona, leaving Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia carrying the responsibility of protecting Ducati’s championship hopes.
Barcelona also remains a significant circuit for Alex Marquez after his emotional victory at the venue last season. Ducati hopes the strong pace previously shown at Jerez can return this weekend as the manufacturer attempts to stop Aprilia’s growing momentum during the early phase of the 2026 campaign.
| Day | Session | Time (WIB) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 15 May | FP1 | 15:45 WIB |
| Friday, 15 May | Practice | 19:00 WIB |
| Saturday, 16 May | FP2 | 15:10 WIB |
| Saturday, 16 May | Q1 | 15:50 WIB |
| Saturday, 16 May | Q2 | 16:15 WIB |
| Saturday, 16 May | Sprint Race | 21:00 WIB |
| Sunday, 17 May | Warm Up | 14:40 WIB |
| Sunday, 17 May | Race | 20:00 WIB |
The main race will run for 24 laps and is expected to become a major turning point in the 2026 title fight. With Marc Marquez absent and Aprilia continuing to improve its technical package, Ducati enters Barcelona under increasing pressure to respond quickly against the RS-GP.
All Catalan MotoGP sessions will be available through MotoGP VideoPass and TNT Sports international coverage in the United Kingdom. Moto2 and Moto3 sessions will also take place throughout the Barcelona weekend.
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