MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix Of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera 2026: Full Race Preview
Set beside the Adriatic coast and close to Rimini, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli combines passionate Italian support with a technical track that regularly produces close racing and major championship moments.
The 2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera arrives with the title fight finely balanced.
Jorge Martín leads the World Championship, but Marc Márquez is just 19 points behind and Marco Bezzecchi is another five points further back.
When Is The Red Bull Grand Prix Of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera?
The 2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera takes place from Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September. It is Round 14 of the 22-round MotoGP World Championship.
MotoGP Practice took place on Friday, with the final free practice session and qualifying scheduled for Saturday morning. The Tissot Sprint follows at 15:00 local time on Saturday, with the main MotoGP Grand Prix scheduled for 14:00 on Sunday 13 September. The Grand Prix itself is 27 laps.
For fans planning a trip, this means the main racing action takes place across a busy weekend rather than being concentrated solely on Sunday. The Sprint also provides championship points and an important indication of race pace, tyre performance and potential race strategy ahead of the longer Grand Prix.
Where Is The MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix Of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera Held?
Despite its name, the San Marino Grand Prix is not held in the Republic of San Marino. The event takes place at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano Adriatico, Italy, close to the city of Rimini and the Adriatic coast. The circuit has been a regular MotoGP venue since 2007 and is named in memory of Italian rider Marco Simoncelli.
The current MotoGP layout measures 4.23 kilometres and has 16 corners, including 10 right-handers and six left-handers. The longest straight is 530 metres, while the circuit runs clockwise. The MotoGP Grand Prix covers 27 laps and 114.1 kilometres.
Misano demands a combination of strong braking performance, precise corner entry and effective acceleration. Riders also need confidence in the front end without sacrificing rear grip as the race progresses. Those characteristics make bike balance and tyre management particularly important over a full race distance.
The circuit is also deeply connected with the Italian motorcycle racing scene. Its location in Emilia-Romagna’s Motor Valley, combined with the large local following for riders such as Bezzecchi and the presence of the VR46 fanbase, gives the weekend a distinctive atmosphere.
Who Won The MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix Of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera 2025?
Marc Márquez won the 2025 Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera for Ducati Lenovo Team.
Marco Bezzecchi finished second for Aprilia Racing, while Álex Márquez completed the podium for BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP. Márquez won the Grand Prix by 0.568 seconds after a close battle with Bezzecchi in the second half of the race.
That result gives Márquez an especially strong recent record at Misano, while Bezzecchi returns to his home circuit with the added confidence of having been one of the standout performers here last year. Their 2025 duel is one of the main storylines carrying into this year’s event.
Who Is Favourite To Win The MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix Of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera?
Marc Márquez is the leading name in current pre-race betting markets, with Marco Bezzecchi generally priced as the second favourite. Álex Márquez and Jorge Martín are also among the leading contenders, although prices can change rapidly as qualifying, the Sprint and race conditions provide new information.
Márquez has plenty of reasons to attract support. He won the 2025 San Marino Grand Prix, arrives as the reigning MotoGP World Champion and took victory at the most recent round in Aragon. He also finished second behind Bezzecchi in Friday’s Practice, suggesting the Ducati remains competitive at Misano.
Bezzecchi may be the most obvious challenger. The Aprilia rider won the 2025 Misano Sprint, finished second in the main race and topped Friday’s Practice in 2026 with a 1:30.144. He is also third in the championship, only 24 points behind Martín, making this a particularly important home weekend for his title hopes.
Álex Márquez is another rider to watch closely after ending Friday third fastest. He also finished third in last year’s Grand Prix, so his combination of recent pace and previous Misano form makes him a genuine podium contender.
Martín remains central to the weekend despite a more subdued Friday. The Aprilia rider enters Misano as championship leader, holding a 19-point advantage over Marc Márquez and 24 points over Bezzecchi. He finished tenth in Friday’s Practice, securing direct passage to Q2 by just 0.014 seconds, so there is still work to do before qualifying.
Bet on the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix Of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera at Bet442
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