The Italian timed 1min 56.280sec to beat Fabio Quartararo's 1min 57.233sec set in the 2025 edition as he placed first despite fracturing a collarbone at the German MotoGP last time out.
Spain's Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse Aprilia was just 0.335sec slower in second. Fabio Di Giannantonio was third and championship leader Jorge Martín half a second slower than his teammate Bezzecchi saying his bike was so good it made him "mentally stronger".
Yamaha's Quartararo finished 17th saying he had "never felt so bad" on his ride.
Sunday's race will be the 12th of the 22-event calendar with a tight race for the world title with Martin on 208 points and a clutch of rivals able to dislodge him over the weekend.
