The MotoGP Catalunya sprint race at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit on Saturday (May 16, 2026) featured a tight duel all the way to the finish line.

Alex Márquez (Gresini) defeated Pedro Acosta (KTM) in a dramatic battle separated by just 0.041 seconds.

From the start of the race, Pedro Acosta was aggressive after securing his first pole position since 2024. He immediately took the lead with a perfect start, using his front-row position to maintain his rhythm ahead of the rivals.

However, Acosta’s dominance did not last long. Entering the fourth lap, Alex Márquez began to apply pressure and eventually took over the lead at the first corner. From that point on, he tried to build a gap from the chasing pack.

Despite building a lead of more than half a second, Alex Márquez could not fully break away. Acosta regained his best speed in the final laps and kept up the pressure to the finish line, creating one of the closest sprint finishes in MotoGP history.

Behind them, Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 completed the podium after a fierce battle with Raúl Fernández from Trackhouse. Fernández had to settle for fourth place after failing to maintain the pressure until the last lap.

This race was also a tough weekend for Aprilia. Jorge Martín crashed while in sixth place. Meanwhile, championship leader Marco Bezzecchi could only finish in ninth place.

Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit

The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, located near Barcelona, Spain, is a renowned motorsport racetrack that opened in 1991. It was built to host the Spanish Grand Prix and has since become a staple on the Formula One calendar, also featuring MotoGP and other international racing events. The circuit’s design emphasizes a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, making it a favorite among drivers and fans.

Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit

The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is a motorsport race track located in Montmeló, Catalonia, Spain, which opened in 1991. It has since become a staple of the Formula One World Championship, hosting the Spanish Grand Prix annually from 1991 to 2023, and is renowned for its challenging layout that combines high-speed straights with technical corners. The circuit also serves as a key testing venue for F1 teams and hosts other major events like MotoGP and the World Endurance Championship.