MotoGP began with a hotly contested sprint race at the Chang International Circuit as the stewards entered the final lap.
The 2026 MotoGP season started with a fast classic Pedro Acosta secured his first Sprint Race victory In the premier class.
But the victory was overshadowed by controversy on the final lap. Mark Marquez He was penalized on the last lap for overtaking. Acosta.
The penalty gave Marquez to Acosta at the same corner on the final lap, allowing Acosta to take the lead and take the win. KTM.
What do you think about this Pedro Acosta penalty for Marc Marquez?
MotoGP fans don’t agree with Marc Marquez’s punishment.
Many fans responded RedditAs Marquez was penalized on the final lap of the Sprint Race at the Chang International Circuit.
A fan asked, “What was—is that it? Mark hasn’t gone far and why should he drop a spot?” he said.
“Great move by Marc, the stewards are morons,” pointed out another fan after Acosta secured his first Sprint Race win in MotoGP.
Another comment read, “In my opinion Mark’s move was totally fine, Acosta should have waited for this and gone for the penalty like Mark has done in the past.
“Hate when great races are ruined by penalties,” said another fan, while a different comment noted the quality of the opener, adding: “Don’t agree with the penalty but what a great race.”
A final comment reads: “Let’s see how many passes are penalized from now on. Simon better be consistent. Any rider can now penalize a rival by pretending to be pushed off the road to win the race.”
Pedro Acosta wins his first MotoGP race!
Have we seen MotoGP’s best sprint ever?
Marc Marquez reacts to the penalty of the Sprint Race in Thailand
In the opening lap of the Sprint Race, Marquez was going head-to-head with Marco Bezzecchi, as many expected in the season-opening Sprint.
However, Bezechi lost the lead, and Marquez seemed to run away in front of him. But Acosta made life difficult for the reigning champion as he joined Marquez at the front.
After the sprint, when he crossed the line in second place, Marquez admitted he was trying to ‘control the pace of the race’ from the front.
When asked about the punishment, Marquez gave a vague and to-the-point answer“I follow the rules because I believe it determines the direction of the race,” he said.
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