Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, 2026 Malaysian MotoGP.
Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, 2026 Malaysian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
LIVE

Sepang MotoGP LIVE: Sprint updates as Alex Marquez crashes from lead

Live Saturday updates for the 2026 Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang.

Live coverage of Saturday's final practice, qualifying and Sprint race from the 2026 Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang.

Key moments

Saturday's MotoGP schedule:

10:10am (local) / 2:10am (UK) - MotoGP FP2
10:50am (local) / 2:50am (UK) - MotoGP Qualifying
3:00pm (local) / 7:00am (UK) - MotoGP Sprint

Marc Marquez starts Saturday at Sepang holding the world championship lead by ten points over injured rival Jorge Martin.

Martin lost the world championship lead and suffered a fracture to his wrist when he fell while battling Marquez for victory at last Saturday’s Phillip Island.

That ruled Martin out of Sunday’s grand prix, but he was saved from any further loss of points when the race was cancelled.

Martin was cleared to return on Friday, then declared "fit to race" after the opening session. However, Martin withdrew from the event after Saturday's final practice.

Raul Fernandez had already been ruled out after struggling with his finger fracture in FP1.

Martin's team-mate Marco Bezzecchi heads into today's Sprint 50 points from the top, and could be Aprilia's best chance against the Ducatis, which have a formidable Sepang record.

Pecco Bagnaia (Sprint) and Alex Marquez (Grand Prix) won last year, when the top Aprilia in the grand prix was Ai Ogura in tenth.

Bezzecchi was then the lone Aprilia in an all-Ducati top six on the final day of this year’s pre-season test, with Alex Marquez again fastest and Marc in fourth behind Fabio di Giannantonio.

Marc had been riding for the first time since his Mandalika shoulder injuries, while Martin - injured at Sepang in early 2025 - was absent due to winter collarbone surgery.

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31 Oct 2026
07:27
Rain is pouring

The rain is now pouring down, just one lap more, and the result would have been very different!

07:26
Sepang MotoGP: Sprint Results

Malaysian MotoGP, Sepang - Sprint Race Results

Start, Sprint, 2026 Malaysian MotoGP.
Start, Sprint, 2026 Malaysian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
07:23
Pedro Acosta wins!

Pedro Acosta wins the 2026 Sepang MotoGP Sprint race ahead of Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi.

That was Acosta's second career Sprint win after the Buriram season opener.

07:22
Last lap

Pedro Acosta is just out of reach of Marc Marquez, who in turn is clear of Marco Bezzecchi.

07:20
Ogura on Marquez

Ai Ogura launches his Aprilia under Marc Marquez! The pair go back and forth before Marquez retakes second.

Bezzecchi takes advantage to pass Ogura for 3rd.

07:19
Marc Marquez passes

Marc Marquez also passes Ai Ogura for second place.

07:18
Pedro Acosta leads

3 laps to go and Pedro Acosta takes the lead from Ai Ogura.

Ogura fights back but Acosta resists.

07:18
Vinales pits

Maverick Vinales pits for his wet bike, but the rain doesn't look heavy enough.

07:16
4 laps, 4 riders

Four laps to go and four riders - Ai Ogura, Pedro Acosta, Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi - fighting for victory!

07:15
Standings - Lap 5/10

Halfway through the Sprint...

1. Ai Ogura
2. Pedro Acosta +0.287s
3. Marc Marquez +0.792s
4. Marco Bezzecchi +1.616s

5. Francesco Bagnaia +4.592s
6. Fabio Di Giannantonio +4.877s
7. Enea Bastianini +5.588s

8. Brad Binder +6.701s
9. Johann Zarco +6.795s
10. Luca Marini +7.325s
11. Diogo Moreira +7.631s
12. Fabio Quartararo +8.531s
13. Alex Rins +8.901s

14. Maverick Viñales +11.126s
15. Augusto Fernandez +12.077s

16. Joan Mir +58.802s
17. Iker Lecuona +1m 00.307s
18. Franco Morbidelli +1m 00.651s

RT. Alex Marquez +3 laps
RT. Jack Miller +4 laps

07:13
Too early for wets

It still looks a bit early for wets, but a deluge could come at any time.

07:11
Pit stops!

Joan Mir, Iker Lecuona and Franco Morbidelli head for the pits.

07:11
Standings - 7 laps to go

1. Ai Ogura
2. Pedro Acosta +0.357s
3. Marc Marquez +1.073s
4. Marco Bezzecchi +2.218s
5. Francesco Bagnaia +3.371s
6. Fabio Di Giannantonio +3.503s
7. Enea Bastianini +4.345s
8. Johann Zarco +4.480s
9. Brad Binder +4.760s
10. Luca Marini +5.506s
11. Diogo Moreira +6.114s
12. Joan Mir +6.283s
13. Fabio Quartararo +7.434s
14. Maverick Viñales +7.994s
15. Alex Rins +8.141s
16. Iker Lecuona +8.573s
17. Franco Morbidelli +9.062s
18. Augusto Fernandez +9.802s
19. Jack Miller +1 lap
RT. Alex Marquez +1 lap

07:10
Turn 6

The Turn 6 area looks to be where the rain drops are at their heaviest. The sky is very dark.

07:09
Crash - Alex Marquez!

Alex Marquez crashes out of the lead on lap 3 of 10!

Was it rain?

The Gresini rider slides off at high speed at Turn 14. He jumps to his feet but is fuming,

07:08
Jack Miller furious

Jack Miller looks to have reacted to the white flag and dark clouds by pulling into the pits but the Pramac Yamaha are not ready!

He's livid!

07:07
White flag!

The white flag has been displayed, meaning riders can now pit for their spare bikes if it rains - the clouds are getting darker!

07:06
Aggressive Ogura

Replays show Ai Ogura swerve across the front of Pedro Acosta at the start, then contact with Marc Marquez into Turn 2.

07:06
Standings - Lap 1/10

1. Alex Marquez
2. Ai Ogura +0.298s
3. Pedro Acosta +0.700s
4. Marc Marquez +1.068s
5. Marco Bezzecchi +1.534s
6. Francesco Bagnaia +1.804s
7. Fabio Di Giannantonio +2.127s
8. Enea Bastianini +2.550s
9. Johann Zarco +2.867s
10. Diogo Moreira +3.202s
11. Brad Binder +3.378s
12. Luca Marini +3.632s
13. Joan Mir +3.778s
14. Franco Morbidelli +4.237s
15. Maverick Viñales +4.387s
16. Fabio Quartararo +4.697s
17. Alex Rins +5.005s
18. Jack Miller +5.451s
19. Iker Lecuona +5.619s
20. Augusto Fernandez +5.878s

07:03
GO!

The red lights go out and Alex Marquez holds the advantage, but Marc Marquez loses out to Ai Ogura and then Pedro Acosta in the opening turns.

07:00
Warm-up lap

The warm-up lap ahead of the Sepang Sprint race begins.

06:56
Press ups

Press ups on the grid for Marc Marquez, helmets are now going on.

06:47
Tyres

All riders are set to start on soft compound tyres, front and rear.

06:43
Riders head to the grid

The MotoGP riders are heading to the grid ahead of the Sprint race.

06:20
Will Alex 'let' Marc win?

After taking a "no-risks" approach behind brother Marc in the Phillip Island Sprint, the big question is how hard pole qualifier Alex is prepared to battle to beat his brother at Sepang.

If Alex takes the holeshot and pulls an early lead, it's hard to imagine the Gresini rider slowing down and gifting Marc the win.

But if Marc snatches the holeshot, it could be a similar situation to Phillip Island, meaning - even if Jorge Martin is out of the race - how much risk will Alex be prepared to take to pass Marc?

Marc has already spoken of seeking the full 37 points this weekend, at a track that favours Ducati.