Motorsport

MotoGP Italian GP – Schedule, Circuit Info, and Expert Picks

motogp-italian-gp-2026

The MotoGP Italian GP returns this Sunday, featuring MotoGP stars Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, Acosta, and the Márquez brothers. The upcoming Italian GP will occur at the Mugello Circuit, an iconic venue on the MotoGP calendar. As the race hits the asphalt, the rivalry between Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin will intrigue fans. The Catalan GP has changed the narrative, by the way, as Álex Márquez is injured. After a massive crash at the Catalan GP, the BK8 Gresini rider is sidelined. He will likely miss the Mugello Grand Prix.

Ahead of the MotoGP Italian GP, every rider is aiming to reach the top of the table. This will result in fierce practice sessions for the pole position before the main race. Regardless, the upcoming Italian GP holds so much drama both on and off the asphalt. Let’s look at the circuit info, riders’ details, and the race schedule in detail.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Catalunya – Highlights

The Catalan GP ended in a twist, as Fabio Di Giannantonio won the race, leaving Bezzecchi, Acosta, and Bagnaia behind. He has finally won a Grand Prix after a very long time. It was also the first win for the VR46 team in 2026. Furthermore, Álex Márquez crashed, leaving him sidelined on the injury list. He was favored to win given his familiarity with the circuit. However, an unexpected crash left him in a medical emergency. Let’s look at the highlights in detail.

Fabio Di Giannantonio’s Win

As soon as the race began, Raúl Fernández and Pedro Acosta fought narrowly for P1. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio stayed in the 5th position for a long time. Álex Márquez and Jorge Martin trailed behind Fernández. After successive crashes from Álex Márquez and Jorge Martin, Fabio found his way back to the top. With only three more laps to go, Fabio took a risk on a left turn and got the second position. Moving up to the second spot, Fabio raced for the P1 against Pedro Acosta intensely. Eventually, Fabio got the P1 in the right corner, maintained his position, and earned a win for VR46.

Álex Márquez’s Severe Crash

Álex Márquez crashed on lap 12, suffering deep injuries, including a collar bone and C7 vertebra. Álex tried for an overtake in the right corner on lap 12 but failed. After rounding the corner, his bike became unstable and was dragged towards the grass lane, causing him to lose control. He crashed into the side lane and was thrown off the bike. As a result, he had his collar bone and C7 vertebra injured and underwent surgery. He is currently being monitored and is under recovery. He will likely miss a few upcoming races. Álex could have won a podium if he hadn’t crashed.

MotoGP Italian GP Schedule

28 May 2026 (Thursday)

TimeCategory
Session
15:30–16:00MotoGP™
GearUp
16:00–16:30MotoGP™
Pre-Event Press Conference

29 May 2026 (Friday)

08:25–08:45Baggers™Free Practice Nr. 1
09:00–09:35Moto3™Free Practice Nr. 1
09:50–10:30Moto2™Free Practice Nr. 1
10:45–11:30MotoGP™Free Practice Nr. 1
12:40–13:00Baggers™Free Practice Nr. 2
13:15–13:50Moto3™Practice
14:05–14:45Moto2™Practice
15:00–16:00MotoGP™Practice
17:05–17:25Baggers™Qualifying Practice

30 May 2026 (Saturday)

08:40–09:10Moto3™
Free Practice Nr. 2
09:25–09:55Moto2™
Free Practice Nr. 2
10:10–10:40MotoGP™
Free Practice Nr. 2
10:50–11:05MotoGP™
Qualifying Nr. 1
11:15–11:30MotoGP™
Qualifying Nr. 2
12:10Baggers™8 LapsRace Nr. 1
12:45–13:00Moto3™
Qualifying Nr. 1
13:10–13:25Moto3™
Qualifying Nr. 2
13:40–13:55Moto2™
Qualifying Nr. 1
14:05–14:20Moto2™
Qualifying Nr. 2
15:00MotoGP™11 LapsTissot Sprint
16:10Baggers™8 LapsRace Nr. 2

31 May 2026 (Sunday)

09:40–09:50MotoGP
Warm Up
10:00–10:40MotoGP
Rider Parade
11:00Moto317 LapsRace
12:15Moto219 LapsRace
14:00MotoGP23 LapsGrand Prix
15:15–15:30MotoGP
After the Flag
15:30–16:00MotoGP
Sunday Press Conference

Mugello International Circuit

Mugello Circuit is a predominantly right-cornered circuit with 9 right corners and 6 left corners. Built in 1973, Mugello has hosted major sporting events such as Formula 1, Motorcycle Grand Prix, and 24 Hour Series. This circuit is known for its technical complexity and unique layout.

This circuit has a length of 5.25 km (3.26 Miles), and its longest straight is about 1.141 meters. It has varying elevations, with a difference of 41.19 meters between its highest and lowest points. Its technical demands push the riders to their limits in braking and momentum control. Especially the 8th and 9th turns create significant lateral force, demanding stability and balance from the rider. Currently, Valentino Rossi holds the record for the most wins and poles. Marc Márquez has the record for both the all-time lap and the best pole.

Circuit Length5.25 Kilometres
Race Distance120.64 Kilometres

MotoGP Italian GP Streaming Options

The MotoGP Italian GP is live on the FanCode app for Indian fans. Fans can enjoy the Grand Prix of Italy with a subscription.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, TNT and Discovery+ telecast the MotoGP Italian GP live.

The MotoGP Italian GP can be streamed on the official MotoGP channel and Fox Sports in the United States.

In Italy, the MotoGP Italian GP can be streamed on NOW TV. They can watch it on the official MotoGP app with a MotoGP pass.

MotoGP Italian GP Predictions

The MotoGP Italian GP is one of the most anticipated Grand Prix events on the calendar. The previous season saw Marc Márquez winning the championship, followed by Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio. This time, neither of the Márquez brothers is the favorite for the Italian Grand Prix. Marc Márquez has been out of form since his injury in the previous season. Álex Márquez was heavily injured and won’t race for a few upcoming races. Let’s see the top three prospects.

Marco Bezzecchi

Heading into his home, Marco Bezzecchi leads the 2026 MotoGP with Aprilia Racing. His late-braking and aggressive style suits the high-speed layout of Mugello. He effectively manages momentum by carrying it into high-speed corners with impressive lean angles. It allows him to generate a smooth drive off the apex. Marco Bezzecchi is running towards a championship this season. He keeps iterating his riding style for every GP and prioritizes points over position. His methodical approach makes him a likely winner of the MotoGP Italian GP.

Pedro Acosta

Pedro Acosta uses his front-end-reliant riding style. He uses late braking to save more time. Acosta’s late braking and his ability to carry high speeds into the corners allow him to maximize his bike’s potential. In Mugello, he can utilize his late-braking ability in turn 1, where he remains competitive over other riders. Particularly, the S-Curves test a rider’s stability. This is where Acosta gains an edge over others. His ability to carry speed deep into the apex will preserve his momentum. With his technical skills over Mugello, he can win a podium in this MotoGP Italian GP event.

Fabio Di Giannantonio

Fabio Di Giannantonio has a smooth and highly precise riding style that prioritizes stability over aggression. He carries high speed through fast corners and has excellent tire management. His style suits the Mugello Circuit, which features fast, flowing sections. In the 2025 season, Giannantonio finished third in this circuit. He also has strong overtaking skills in the corners. Mainly, the absence of Álex Márquez makes this race even easier for Giannantonio to reach and sustain the lead positions.

What to Expect?

The MotoGP Italian GP will be a pivotal one as the tri-fold contest between Acosta, Bezzecchi, and Giannantonio gets intense. But still, we can expect a heavy contest from Bagniaia, Jorge Martin, and Ogura. Moreover, the technical demands of Mugello remain a source of suspense. Overall, the 2026 Italian GP promises an unpredictable and entertaining race.

advertisement
advertisement

Recent Blog

More in Motorsport