MotoGP: Alex Márquez breaks fastest lap record and takes pole in Catalonia

On Saturday morning (6), the MotoGP qualifying session was marked by balance and unpredictability. Q1 featured four world champions on the track, which further increased the competitiveness in a session full of position changes and decisive fast laps. In Q2, for the third time in a row, the front row had a rider who came from Q1.

How was Q1?

Fábio Di Giannantonio and Joan Mir held onto the top two positions until the final three minutes, when Raúl Fernández and Miguel Oliveira provisionally took the qualifying spots. However, the race took a new turn seconds later, with Fábio Quartararo posting an exceptional lap of 1:37.906, securing the lead in the group.

Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia had a difficult morning. The Italian couldn't find a good pace and, despite his final attempts, finished 11th in the session, a result that leaves him only 21st on the grid. This was his worst qualifying performance since 2022.

At the end of Q1, Quartararo and Di Giannantonio confirmed their places in the decisive stage. The Frenchman not only advanced, but also set a new lap record at the Circuit de Catalunya, surpassing the mark set by Brad Binder the day before.

The exciting Q2

Q2 was marked by an intense battle for pole position, with drivers recording successive red flags in virtually every section of the circuit. The battle remained open until the final moments in a breathtaking session.

Álex Márquez showed consistency from the opening laps, maintaining his lead and remaining firmly in the fight for pole position at home. The Spaniard, who was running at an impressive pace, clocked a time of 1:37.536, surpassing the record set by Fábio Quartararo in Q1. With this result, Álex secured pole position again after an 875-day wait, making the feat even more special for being on his "home turf."

Quartararo, who had advanced from Q1, maintained his momentum and held the top two positions throughout the session. The Frenchman finished just behind Álex, in a solid performance that reinforced his good form this weekend. The top three was completed by Marc Márquez. The eight-time world champion was on a fast lap capable of threatening the lead, but a mistake on corner exit compromised his final time. Still, he secured third place, just a few tenths behind his brother.

Franco Morbidelli, Pedro Acosta, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Johann Zarco, Ai Ogura, Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini complete the top-10.