Bezzecchi breaks Misano record to beat Marquez to San Marino GP pole

Aprilia Racing's Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi (L) and Castrol Honda LCR's French rider Johann Zarco corner during the qualifying session for the MotoGP race as part of the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. — AFP pic

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 7:26 PM MYT

ROME, Sept 12 — Marco Bezzecchi stormed to pole position in a Misano track record time at the San Marino Grand Prix today, edging out reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez.

Bezzecchi, who is third in the world championship standings, posted a time of 1 minute and 29.982 seconds, as Marquez was 0.198sec slower.

Aprilia’s Bezzecchi is targeting his first top-class world title this year after finishing third last season.

This was his second consecutive pole position after the Aragon GP last time out, when he failed to convert it into a win as he finished third in both the sprint and main races.

He is 24 points behind world championship leader Jorge Martin, who could only qualify fifth fastest on Saturday.

Martin’s fellow Spaniard Marquez sits second in the riders’ standings, 19 points adrift, and is aiming to make further inroads into the deficit after his double victory two weeks ago.

Fermin Aldeguer completed the front row, 0.368sec slower than Bezzecchi.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, 48 points behind Martin in the championship, was fourth quickest. — AFP