Martin edges title rival Marquez for Austrian MotoGP pole

Aprilia Racing Team's Spanish rider Jorge Martin takes part in a MotoGP practice session on the second day of the Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix in Spielberg bei Knittelfeld, Austria, on September 18, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Saturday, 19 Sep 2026 7:20 PM MYT

SPIELBERG (Austria), Sept 19 — Jorge Martin pipped MotoGP title rival Marc Marquez to pole for tomorrow’s Austrian Grand Prix, while Pedro Acosta completed an all-Spanish front row at the Red Bull Ring.

Martin secured his third pole of the season, beating Marquez by just 0.015 seconds in a closely fought qualifying session. Acosta qualified third after setting the pace in Friday’s practice.

“I was pushing like hell,” Aprilia rider Martin told TNT Sports.

“I felt quite OK during the weekend, we did small steps from yesterday to today. We are prepared for the race now.”

Reigning world champion Marc Marquez has reignited his title challenge by winning five of the last seven races, but admitted rival Jorge Martin had the measure of him in qualifying on Saturday.

“He was faster. The front row was the main target today,” said Ducati star Marquez.

Acosta, racing at KTM’s home circuit, will be hoping to finally earn the first MotoGP victory of his career. He will leave the Austrian team to join Marquez at Ducati next season.

Italian Marco Bezzecchi will start fourth, ahead of Japan’s Ai Ogura, while Alex Marquez qualified sixth despite crashing late in the session.

Championship rivals Martin and Marquez are level on 274 points at the top of the standings, although Marquez holds the advantage with more race wins.

Bezzecchi sits third overall, 33 points adrift of the leading pair. — AFP