Marco Bezzecchi delivered a masterclass at the Misano World Circuit on Saturday, obliterating the track record to secure his second consecutive pole position of the 2026 MotoGP season. In a breathtaking display of speed, the Aprilia factory rider set an incredible 1m29.982s, becoming the first rider in the history of the venue to break the 90-second barrier.
The 15-minute Q2 session proved to be a high-stakes affair from the opening moments. While Gresini’s Alex Marquez set the initial pace, his session ended in disappointment after a crash at Turn 8 while trailing his braking. As the session evolved, the VR46 Ducati of Fabio di Giannantonio briefly took the top spot with a 1m30.504s, but his time at the summit was short-lived as Bezzecchi unleashed his record-shattering lap.
Bezzecchi’s initial flyer established a significant 0.467s buffer over his rivals. Despite a late-session surge from the rest of the field, the Italian rider remained untouchable. By the time the chequered flag fell, Bezzecchi had secured his fourth pole of the 2026 campaign, finishing 0.198s ahead of reigning champion Marc Marquez, who managed a late improvement to 1m30.180s.
“It was an incredible feeling to find that extra gear today,” Bezzecchi said after the session. “The bike felt perfect, and to be the first under the 1m30s mark at Misano is special.”
The battle for the final spot on the front row was equally fierce. Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer, who had successfully navigated his way through the Q1 session, put in a brilliant final effort to edge out di Giannantonio, relegating the VR46 rider to fourth. Championship leader Jorge Martin, who struggled to find his rhythm during practice, managed a solid fifth-place start for Aprilia.
The factory Honda of Luca Marini put on a stellar performance to secure sixth, beating out rising star Pedro Acosta and eighth-placed Franco Morbidelli. Meanwhile, it was a day of frustration for others; Alex Marquez’s second crash of the session at Turn 4 left him in a distant ninth, while home hero and two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia suffered a dismal afternoon. Clearly struggling with the setup of his factory Ducati, a visibly agitated Bagnaia struck his bike in frustration after a mistake on his flying lap left him languishing in 14th on the grid.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo also missed the cut, failing to build on his early promise and ending the session in 13th. As the paddock prepares for Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on the front row to see if Bezzecchi can convert his blistering qualifying pace into a crucial victory on home soil. Meanwhile, officials have confirmed that LCR’s Johann Zarco remains under investigation for allegedly impeding Bezzecchi during the session.
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