Bezzechi grabs Thai pole
Marco Bezzechi secured pole position in qualifying for the opening MotoGP race of 2026 in Burriram Thailand, then crashed in the final seconds trying to beat his own time.
The Aprilia star had already posted the fastest time but rival Marc Marquez, who had found some extra speed on his Ducati overnight, forced the Italian to push even harder and finish up in the gravel for the second time that morning.
Bezzechi and Marquez occupying top spots surprised nobody but Raul Fernandez who had come through via qualifying 1, on board another Aprilia, spoiled everyones predictions by joining them on the front row. The elated Spaniard said later, “We are in a really good position, not just on the grid also with the race pace. We are ready so let's try to enjoy.”
Fabio Di Giananntonio was the fastest of the satellite Ducatis in 4th, ahead of Jorge Martin’s Aprilia and top KTM rider, Pedro Acosta. Ai Ogura’s 8th spot meant that all four Aprilias were in the top 8 and he was was sandwiched by the Ducatis of Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli.
Joan Mir might have expected better than 10th spot after encouraging practice sessions and he was joined on the 4th row by Brad Binder’s KTM and fellow Honda rider, Johan Zarco.
Again Fabio Quartararo lead the Yamahas but only managed a lowly 16th, one behind impressive rookie Diogo Moriera on his LCR Honda.
Pecco Bagnaia’s insistent comments that he has banished the woes of 2024 and is happy with his new Ducati, have not yet been evident on track as he failed to qualify for QP2 and had to settle for 13th. From there, unless he does something remarkable in the races ahead, he can effectively postpone his promised re-birth celebrations until the next round in Brazil.
