ByPaul BattisonBBC Sport Journalist<\/p>\n
Italy's Marco Bezzecchi won the opening race of the MotoGP season with a flawless performance in Thailand, as defending champion Marc Marquez retired late on.<\/p>\n
Aprilia rider Bezzecchi started on pole and never looked back as he stormed into a massive lead before sealing victory by more than five seconds.<\/p>\n
KTM's Spanish rider Pedro Acosta followed up Saturday's sprint race victory by coming second, while compatriot Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse finished third.<\/p>\n
Bezzecchi's victory came after he crashed out of the sprint race on the second lap.<\/p>\n
"Yesterday was a small mistake with a big consequence, so it was important today to try to bounce back," said Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n
"My pace was good with the medium [rear tyre], we worked super well all weekend, so I knew that I could be fast if I was in front. So I tried my all to make a good start and the bike was perfect."<\/p>\n
Ducati's Marquez exited the race with five laps to go after suffering a type puncture while in fourth position.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth title this season, was closing in on Acosta and Fernandez but damaged his tyre after running wide, ending hopes of a podium finish.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week Marquez said he was still recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the final four races of last season.<\/p>\n
Bezzecchi was fastest in all three practice sessions and set a new track record in qualifying, while this was his third-straight grand prix victory – having won the final two races in 2025.<\/p>\n
Bezzecchi's Aprilia team-mate and 2024 champion Jorge Martin came fourth, while Trackhouse's Ai Ogura finished fifth.<\/p>\n
Last year's runner-up Alex Marquez did not finish the race after a late crash, while 2022 and 2023 world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished ninth.<\/p>\n