Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira, riding a Ducati, took the victory in this Sunday’s MotoGP race, the sixteenth round of the World Motorcycle Championship held in Buriram, Thailand. Heavy rain created chaos on the track, forcing officials to pause and reshuffle the field as the championship returned after pandemic-related cancellations.
The wet conditions amplified pressure on the championship leader, France’s Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha, who still headed the standings but faced growing challenges from his rivals. After the race, Quartararo maintained a slender advantage on the points table while others closed the gap as the season progresses.
Quartararo moved ahead in the standings by a narrow margin, while rivals pressed for proximity. The race outcome left the standings tight, with Ducati teammates Pecco Bagnaia and Oliveira playing pivotal roles on the podium, and Bagnaia edging closer to the leader in the final moments. The Thai circuit’s challenges were evident as teams weighed their strategic decisions under changing track conditions.
Aleix Espargaró, on an Aprilia, gained valuable ground by collecting several crucial points and remained in the hunt for the title, still several points behind Quartararo. With three rounds still to race Australia, Malaysia, and Valencia, the championship remained open and competitive as teams prepared for the remaining fixtures.
The starting grid carried a sense of tension. Alex Espargaró urged the Race Direction to consider postponing the race due to poor visibility, but the decision favored holding the event. Visibility proved to be the dominant concern, as riders navigated Turns 3 and 4 with limited sight through the wet air and spray.
Thunder and a late start did not deter the action. Marco Bezzecchi led with pole position after a late transalpine penalty for track limits briefly reshuffled the order, placing Jack Miller ahead on the second lap as the race moved forward on a drying track.
As the race progressed, Aleix Espargaró adopted a strategic long lap, while Brad Binder, the South African KTM rider, faced a setback after an on-track incident that briefly altered the running order. The field then settled into the front-runners battling for podium positions as the track continued to dry.
By lap 15, Miguel Oliveira seized control as the track dried and firmed up. Marc Márquez pushed hard from the Repsol Honda squad, contesting the podium with Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati in a tight duel for a spot on the final step. Johann Zarco, on a Ducati, also kept himself in the mix, pressuring Bagnaia for third before team orders clarified the rule of engagement and ensured Bagnaia’s continued presence on the podium.
With Oliveira leading and Miller fittingly close behind, Bagnaia completed the podium, marking his second victory of the season and a strong statement from Ducati in the race that defined the weekend in Buriram. Marc Márquez finished in a high position, while Maverick Viñales, Alex Márquez, and Jorge Martín followed in the middle pack as the race concluded. Elsewhere, Alex Rins finished thirteenth, Pol Espargaró fourteenth, and Raúl Fernández fifteenth, rounding out a weekend of dramatic MotoGP action in Thailand.