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Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini handed two-place grid penalties for Grand Prix United States after riding slowly in qualifying
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Published 28/03/2026 at 20:03 GMT
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Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi has won the last four Grands Prix, but he faces a tough challenge to make it five after he was given a two-place penalty for Sunday's race at Grand Prix United States. The Italian was given the censure after race organisers found that he had blocked Marc Marquez in the second qualifying session on Saturday. He will drop from second to fourth for the race.
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Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini have been given a two-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race at Grand Prix United States for blocking other riders in qualifying.
The two Italians were investigated after Saturday’s qualifying session, but neither rider faces a punishment for the same day’s Sprint race.
Aprilia’s Bezzecchi and Marini of Honda will now face a tougher task on Sunday as they compete in the third Grand Prix of the season so far.
Bezzecchi had qualified in second spot after Q2, and Marini was ninth, but they were both censured as a result of riding slow on line in the session.
Marc Marquez remonstrated angrily with Bezzecchi on the track as the Ducati Lenovo rider felt he had been held up by his rival for this year’s championship.
”About Marc, honestly, I have no idea. I didn't see him,” Bezzecchi said after the session.
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He added: ”I’m happy with the hot lap. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for the pole position, but it's good to be in the first row. It's super important.
”We will see about the Sprint because both tyres on the rear are possible for the longer race, but also for the Sprint.”
World champion Marquez was investigated for his own potential blocking of Enea Bastianini (KTM Tech3) but MotoGP authorities made no comment on the Spaniard facing any punishment as a result.
The development is a blow for Bezzecchi, who has won the last four Grands Prix going back to the 2025 season, and TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson had tipped him as a potential challenger for the win on Sunday, though he remains in a dangerous spot to challenge for the shorter Sprint race.
VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio will start on pole for both races after securing his second first-placed spot on the grid after also going fastest last weekend at Grand Prix Brazil.
The Italian praised his team for their efforts after he secured top spot.
- Di Giannantonio lands second consecutive pole as he goes quickest at Grand Prix United States
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- Marquez quickest in Practice in USA despite huge crash
”The team did an incredible job yesterday because we did a big change for this morning and they understood perfectly what I needed to be faster," Di Giannantonio said. "So I'm super grateful to them.
”Then we did an amazing lap. This lap was the most dynamic lap of my life, honestly. It was a full-heart lap. I must be super happy, but we must also keep the focus.
”It's only a pole position, for sure it's a great shot to start from where we are, but we need to be focused and try to give our best in the afternoon.”
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