MotoGP experts predict Thailand GP as Marc Marquez opens title defense and Toprak Razgatlioglu starts.

Mark Marquez After the 2020 season, he comes into the season as the first world champion. In the year After suffering an injury at the end of 2025, injury issues are still a concern for the nine-time world champion in 2026.

In the year The 2025 Thai Grand Prix was dominated by Márquez, as he began his dominance at the factory. Ducati group. however, Aprilia They were nipping at Ducati’s heels during the pre-season tests at Sepang and Buriram.

What is your podium prediction for the Thai Grand Prix?

Who will win the Thai Grand Prix?

David ComerfordMarc Marquez – I’m not brave enough to challenge him despite those crashes in testing. He may hit pole position, but that makes him more determined to dominate the race.

Kyle Archer: Marc Marquez’s third accident at the Buriram test It means that the full race simulation could not be completed. But the reigning MotoGP champion, who begins his seventh title defense at the Thai Grand Prix, is a very likely outcome as it will be good on Sunday.

Ashley Hambly: Marco Bezecchi The pre-season ended with a new lap record in Buriram, and Aprilia looks to have created the best package for the Thai circuit with the second fastest time through Ai Ogura. They will be the team to watch out for this weekend.

Tyler RowlinsonMarco Bezecchi – With Marc Marquez’s fitness not being 100%, it’s a great opportunity for Aprilia to capitalise. The RS-GP looks fast and the chassis is in good shape; I think it will pick up where it left off in 2025.

Luke Newman: Marc Marquez – Although he had a few crashes during the test, it is difficult to bet against the reigning champion. It might be a bit more difficult for him compared to 2025, but I still see a dominant race performance from Marquez.

Who will finish on the stage?

David Comerford: As boring as it sounds, I’ll go with it Alex Marquez Second and Francesco Bagnaia third in a repeat of last year. Based on testing, I think all three of these players enter the tournament with confidence, although Marco Bezecchi could also be approached.

Kyle ArcherDucati will probably start the 2026 campaign in the third one-two with Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia As teammates. But if Gresini’s star Alex Marquez showed strong race pace in the pre-season tests at Sepang and Buriram, a mistake could see his Aprilia rival Marco Bezecchi drop to the podium in P3.

Ashley Hambly: Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez join the Aprilia star on stage. There is no denying that Ducati will be in contention for silverware in Thailand, and will be two of the Italian constructor’s title favourites.

Tyler RowlinsonUnless he shows a lot of concern about Marquez, it’s hard to see him getting a podium or even a win. But I think Beth inspired him to win. And then for P3, I surprisingly go: No. Ogura. He was fastest in the race trials at the Buriram test, and given how impressive he was here last year, I don’t think a podium is out of the question.

Luke NewmanMarco Bezecchi and Alex Marquez. I think Marc Marquez’s loss at the front will leave Bezcic and Alex Marquez fighting for second place, which will be a common theme this season.

Which knight will fight?

David Comerford: Let’s say Maverick Vinales. Expectations are high after all the hype surrounding Lorenzo’s partnership, but I doubt how much of a coaching change it will make for a rider in his 30s. KTM also seem to have stalled, while the Apria continues to push towards Ducati.

Kyle ArcherThe question of which rider will battle it out at the Thai Grand Prix is ​​likely to be whether the Yamaha rider will finish last, as the V4 YZR-M1 is not yet ready to battle the other manufacturers’ new packages. And as Toprak Razgatlioglu He’s still learning, he probably is.

Ashley Hambly: I think Diogo Moreira It is difficult for him to do well in the beginning. Having seen Ogura nail the maiden race in Thailand last season, the 2026 rookie may need some time to compete on premier class machinery.

Tyler Rowlinson: The answer is the police, I know, but Fabio Quatararo It will be a sad weekend in Thailand. That V4 looks desperate, and with the Frenchman’s temper during the test, the mood around the Yamaha is pretty dull. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t score.

Luke Newman: I think it will. Ine Bastianini. The experienced MotoGP rider struggled during testing, and although he thinks he has a solution, I believe the fight will carry over to the season opener, where he is the last KTM rider and out of the points.

Where will Toprak Razgatlioglu finish first in MotoGP?

David Comerford:Besides the points for me. The exact position depends on the number of retirees, but I think Razgatlioglu will be behind this weekend. It may be a few races before he really starts to fight in midfield.

Kyle ArcherOnly two riders retired at the 2025 season-opening Thai Grand Prix in Honda’s Joan Mir and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez, with KTM’s Pedro Acosta beating the field and leading the field only in the Aprilia injury that stopped Lorenzo Savadori. Therefore, P17 could be the target of Pramac Yamaha rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu in the 2026 Thai GP.

Ashley HamblyThe Turk is looking to pay points for his MotoGP debut, and I think he will be successful in securing one of the top 15 final positions in Buriram. Anything more than that is a huge success.

Tyler Rowlinson: P16, off the points. A couple of pensioners might help him, but I don’t see him staying behind bars in Thailand.

Luke Newman: I don’t think it will end. Although expectations aren’t high for Torak Razgatlioglu’s first MotoGP race this weekend, I don’t think he’ll even see the checkered flag. He will likely spend most of the weekend behind Michel Pirro before crashing out in the second half of the Grand Prix.