Rimini, September 13, 2026 – Heart in throat already on the first lap, due to Marco Bezzecchi’s crash. And in the end Marc Marquez won, now leading the standings together with Jorge Martin. But today, Misano won above all. The Rimini and San Marino Grand Prix ended with a bang: 184,051 spectators from Friday to today, 10,000 more than last year. It is the new record for attendance at the circuit since 2007, when the MotoGP returned to race on the Riviera. “Congratulations to Marc Marquez and the entire Ducati team for the victory, and to his brother Alex, second on the Ducati of Team Gresini – says the President of the Region, Michele de Pascale, today on the podium for the awards – It is an emotion to see the motorcycles born and developed here win at Misano. Ducati is one of the strong symbols of Made in Italy…”. Words that sound like a warning now that Audi is thinking of selling Ducati.
The spectacle of the fans
Returning to the attendance record, there were 33,507 spectators on Friday, 54,059 yesterday, and 96,485 today. Strong increase in fans from abroad: especially from France, Switzerland, Germany, England, but also from Australia, Canada, USA, Brazil, Argentina and also from Asia and Kenya. For the administrators of the Riviera municipalities, the Region, and San Marino, this “has been an extraordinary edition, certified by the new attendance record. This year we added new content to the story of the territory and the connection with motorsport with Misano Grand Finale, a miniseries created with AI and launched on social media that today concluded with a worldwide live broadcast.” With a grand finale (so to speak) from the screen to reality. Shortly before the start of the MotoGP, two Navy helicopters flew over the circuit, with 3 parachutists from the special operations group then landing on the track. Completing the surprise was the trophy brought onto the track by Tony Cairoli, 9-time motocross world champion. The MotoGP spectacle at the ’Marco Simoncelli’ of Misano will continue until 2031 thanks to the recent agreement between the promoters of the Grand Prix and MotoGP Group.
How many VIPs in the paddock
Many well-known faces from the world of sports and entertainment were also present today in the stands and paddocks. Among them Valentino Rossi, Marco Belinelli, swimmer Simona Quadarella (also present yesterday), and then singers Cesare Cremonini, Olly, Federico Rossi (of the duo Benji & Fede), English actor Matthew Broome, former footballer Nicola Ventola, former cycling champions Alessandro Petacchi and Vincenzo Nibali, and many others. Nibali had the honor of waving the checkered flag at the finish of the MotoGP race, and the same had been done before him by Simona Quadarella for Moto3 and Federico Rossi for Moto2. Two local heroes were unmissable: the comic actor from Riccione Paolo Cevoli – who hardly ever misses an edition of the Grand Prix – and former basketball champion Carlton Myers.
Everyone in line after the race
The attendance record at Misano was also seen on the roads. At the end of the race queues were inevitable, with a slow outflow from the circuit. Traffic returned to normal after three hours of lines and slowdowns, both towards Riccione and towards Cattolica. Fortunately, no serious accidents were reported.
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