Bezzecchi: MotoGP’s boss

Marco Bezzecchi extended a run of led laps that began in Portimão to a new modern‑era record of 121 consecutive Grand Prix laps led, surpassing Jorge Lorenzo’s 103‑lap mark during the United States GP at COTA on March 29, 2026. (motogp.com) The COTA victory was Bezzecchi’s fifth straight premier‑class win overall, and he started the race from fourth after serving a two‑place grid penalty for an on‑track qualifying obstruction. (crash.net) Bezzecchi led every one of the 20 race laps and took the flag 2.036 seconds clear of the runner‑up, with the podium rounded out by Pedro Acosta (+4.497s); the winner’s race time was 40:50.653. (crash.net) The result put Bezzecchi back atop the championship with 81 points, four ahead of Jorge Martín (77) and 21 clear of third‑placed Pedro Acosta (60); Marc Márquez sits fifth on 45 after finishing the race in P5. (gpblog.com) Marc Márquez, who served a long‑lap penalty in the Grand Prix after a Sprint collision with Fabio Di Giannantonio, described Bezzecchi as “incredible” and “unstoppable right now,” while also citing ongoing issues with a swollen right forearm that have limited his pace. (motograndprix.motorionline.com) With the Qatar round moved to November 6–8 and the next scheduled European round at Jerez from April 24–26, teams now face a three‑week gap before the Spanish GP and a reshuffled calendar that extends the season into November. (motogp.com)