Qatar MotoGP 2026: Bezzecchi breaks lap record twice to beat Marquez to pole position

Marco Bezzecchi set a new lap record of 1:50.028 to secure pole position for the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix on Saturday. | Photo Credit: AFP

Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position for the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix on Saturday, setting a new lap record twice at the Lusail International Circuit to finish ahead of championship leader Marc Marquez.

The Italian produced a fastest lap of 1 minute 50.028 seconds, beating Ducati’s Marquez by 0.266 seconds. VR46 Racing’s Fabio di Giannantonio, winner of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, completed the front row in third place.

Bezzecchi expressed satisfaction with his performance despite making a mistake at the final corner of his fastest lap.

“Perfect qualifying. I wanted to start in the front row and the pole position is even better. So, very happy,” he said.

Marquez, who enters the weekend with a 44-point advantage over Aprilia’s Jorge Martin, acknowledged that Bezzecchi had shown superior pace in Qatar.

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Martin endured a difficult qualifying session, managing only 11th place and finishing more than a second behind his teammate.

Marquez has an opportunity to secure the world championship in Qatar if he outscores Martin by 30 points and Bezzecchi by eight across the weekend’s sprint and main race.

Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia qualified fifth, between Trackhouse riders Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura, who secured fourth and sixth places, respectively.

Meanwhile, Yamaha’s factory and satellite Prima Pramac teams withdrew from the Qatar Grand Prix, citing company-wide travel restrictions amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The withdrawals have reduced the grid to 18 riders for Sunday’s race.