Maiden MotoGP pole for Raul Fernandez at Lombok
Superfile Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez became the 8th different pole sitter of 2026 and the first for the Spanish rider for five years since achieving it in his Moto2 days.
He will joined on the front row by fellow Aorilia rider Marco Bezzechi and a surprising Fabio DiGiananntonio, celebrating his 28th birthday, with an impressive 3rd place.
Diggia's lap pushed Marc Marquez into 4th pace, crucially ahead of championship rival Jorge Martin. The Aprilia rider's first flying lap wasn't particularly fast as he lay in 7th place. As he left the pits to improve his time, he was followed by Marquez, looking for a tow to help him break the Aprilia dominance at the Indonesian track
This clearly disturbed Martin who, despite slowing on his out lap, failed to shake of the Ducati and only managed a time good enough to sit alongside Marquez on the second row in 5th.
They were joined by Fermin Aldeguer, who had progressed with Ai Ogura from Q1. So three Ducatis and three Aprilias on the first two rows will please the Bologna team far more than their Italian rivals.
Three manufacturers occupied the third row headed by Ai Ogura's Aprilia, Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez and KTM's Pedro Acosta. Pecco Bagnaia improved on his regular woeful 2026 results by rounding out the top ten.
Before arriving at Lombok, Marc Marquez expected the Aprilia's to dominate but he will be highly encouraged that two of them on the front row are not in the championship race and may take valuable points from rival Jorge Martin in the Sprint, and the main GP tomorrow.
