Buriram: The first round of the MotoGP season, the 'PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2026,' is set to kick off this weekend in Buriram, marking a historic moment in the world of motorsport.
According to Thai News Agency, the event will take place at the Chang International Circuit, where top-tier racers from around the globe will compete for glory.
A stellar lineup of world-class riders and racing teams are ready to showcase their skills, led by eight-time world champion Marc Marquez from Ducati Lenovo Team. Also joining the competition are Alex Marquez from Gresini Racing, Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia Racing, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins from Yamaha, and Maverick Vi±ales from Red Bull KTM. During the final pre-season test on February 21-22, Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia Racing emerged as the leader with a lap time of 1 minute 28.668 seconds, closely followed by Ai Ogura from Trackhouse Racing. Despite suffering from stomach pain, Marc Marquez secured third place.
Local authorities, spearheaded by Mr. Piya Pijanan, Governor of Buriram Province, and Mr. Newin Chidchob, Chairman, have been actively preparing for the influx of motorsport fans. Meetings have been held to ensure smooth operations, focusing on traffic management, security, transportation, and tourist services. The event will highlight the "Buriram Way," offering visitors a taste of local culture, cuisine, and community life. A unique shuttle service using traditional Thai "Taen" tricycles will transport tourists to key attractions, providing an authentic cultural experience.
In addition to the cultural offerings, stringent sanitation measures are in place for hotels, restaurants, and other service establishments to ensure hygiene and safety. The Buriram Provincial Police have also laid out comprehensive traffic management and security plans to facilitate the smooth functioning of the event around the racetrack and key locations.
The 2026 MotoGP race schedule at Chang International Circuit will commence with practice sessions on Friday, February 27. The excitement will build up with the MotoGP Qualifying Session and Sprint Race on Saturday, February 28, culminating in the Moto3, Moto2, and the MotoGP Grand Prix races on Sunday, March 1.