Márquez Masters The Chaos to Snatch Jerez Pole
Saturday’s qualifying sessions at the 2026 Spanish MotoGP delivered high drama at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto, with mixed conditions creating a tense and unpredictable fight for pole.
In MotoGP, it was Marc Márquez who emerged on top, securing his first pole position of the 2026 season with a late flying lap in Q2. The Ducati rider mastered the tricky, semi-wet conditions to post a 1:48.087, narrowly edging out Johann Zarco by just 0.140 seconds. Fabio Di Giannantonio completed the front row, benefiting from a well-timed slipstream as the track continued to evolve.
Qualifying proved chaotic throughout, with multiple riders caught out by the changing grip levels. Both Álex Márquez and Fermín Aldeguer suffered crashes in Q2, while others struggled to hook up a clean lap as the circuit dried.
Earlier in Q1, Zarco had impressed to progress into the pole shootout, ultimately coming agonisingly close to claiming top spot before a small mistake in the final sector cost him dearly.
Across the intermediate class, Collin Veijer secured a maiden Moto2 pole position, continuing a strong run of form, while in Moto3, home favourite Máximo Quiles stormed to pole with a dominant lap, leading a Spanish front row.
Overall, Saturday at Jerez showcased just how decisive track conditions can be, with experience and timing proving crucial as Márquez returned to the top of the grid in front of an electric Spanish crowd.
