MotoGP Catalunya temporarily halted twice due to multiple crashes

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The sixth round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship in Catalunya was temporarily halted twice due to multiple crashes involving several riders at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmelo, Spain, on Sunday.

The first red flag was raised on lap 12 after Red Bull KTM rider Pedro Acosta experienced technical problems while accelerating on the back straight.

Acosta, who slowed down, briefly raised his hand to warn the riders behind him. However, BK8 Gresini Racing rider Alex Marquez, who was right behind him, did not have time to avoid and hit Acosta’s motorcycle.

The collision caused Marquez to lose control before crashing heavily at high speed. Marquez’s motorcycle was destroyed after bouncing several times in the gravel.

Debris from the motorcycle then hit Pertamina Enduro VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, causing him to crash as well. Raul Fernandez and Johann Zarco were also affected by the incident.

Meanwhile, Acosta was able to return to the pit lane and was declared eligible to participate in the restart. The Race Direction then decided to temporarily halt the race and restart it with 13 laps based on the final positions of lap 11.

However, the restart ended with another red flag. Just entering the first corner, Zarco crashed and was involved in an incident with Joan Mir and Francesco Bagnaia.

Zarco’s motorcycle appeared to be stuck in the rear of Bagnaia’s Ducati before the riders and motorcycles were thrown into the gravel trap.

All riders are reported to be conscious. Bagnaia and Luca Marini were seen walking away from the scene, while Zarco was taken to the medical center for further examination.

The Race Direction confirmed that the second restart would be held with a 12-lap format after the track conditions were declared safe.