MotoGP, qualifying: Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) beats the Marquez brothers

FP1 is followed by qualifying in the MotoGP class on Friday. The aim of the 60-minute session is to secure direct progression to Q2 on Saturday, which only the ten fastest riders manage to achieve. The rest must compete in Q1, where the two fastest riders advance to Q2.

In FP1 at Aragon, champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) was the fastest with a time of 1:47.532. The Spaniard made it clear straight away that he is the favourite this weekend on this varied circuit. Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raúl Fernández finished just 0.035 seconds behind Márquez in second place. The third-fastest time was set by Aprilia works rider Marco Bezzecchi. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) and Pedro Acosta (KTM) crashed but were uninjured.

At the start of the qualifying session, the air temperature in Aragon was 25 degrees Celsius. The riders took to the track punctually at 3.00 pm.

The top five after five minutes: Jorge Martin (1:47.710 min), Jack Miller, Fermin Aldeguer, Alex Rins and Pedro Acosta. Shortly afterwards, Marc Marquez surged to the top with a time of 1:46.320 min. By way of comparison: MM93 had set the lap record at Aragon in 1:45.704 min in 2025.

A few minutes later, Acosta and Martin moved into second and third place respectively. Alex Marquez set the fourth-fastest time. Shortly afterwards, Marco Bezzecchi catapulted himself up to third place. Returnee Johann Zarco was a strong seventh at this stage! Martin had to take a detour at Turn 12 because he was going too fast.

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29.08.2026 - 08:35

A curious scene then unfolded in front of the Aprilia pit. As Martin climbed onto his RS-GP and was about to head out onto the track, he noticed that a wing on the side next to the seat was loose. The ‘Martinator’ had to dismount again so that the mechanics could secure the fairing part. In the meantime, Bezzecchi and Di Giannantonio surged into second and third place.

The order halfway through the session: Marc Márquez, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, Acosta, Martin, Fernández, Álex Márquez, Aldeguer, Zarco and Miller. Pecco Bagnaia was 13th at that point.

With 23 minutes to go, MotoGP rookie Diogo Moreira set the seventh-fastest time. Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli moved up to fifth place. Nine minutes later, Aldeguer set a new fastest time of 1:45.909. He was just two tenths of a second slower than Marc Marquez’s lap record. Immediately afterwards, Acosta set the second-fastest time.

Then Pramac Yamaha rider Jack Miller crashed in Turn 2 – he was uninjured. Meanwhile, Martin set the second-fastest time, with Bezzecchi moving up to fourth. Marini and Bagnaia surged forward to 7th and 9th. MM93 had to take a detour in Turn 8.

Bezzecchi set a new fastest time of 1:45.835. Marc Marquez responded and set a lap record of 1:45.493! His brother Alex moved into second place with a time of 1:45.766. Aldeguer was now fourth.

The order with five minutes to go: Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, Bezzecchi, Aldeguer and Di Giannantonio.

Then came the final push for the fastest times. On a fast lap, Bagnaia’s front wheel nearly slipped out in Turn 1. He just managed to avoid a crash. Shortly afterwards, Bezzecchi set a new lap record of 1:45.455! ‘Diggia’ surged forward into third place.

Shortly before the end, Alex Marquez set the second-fastest time, edging ahead of his brother Marc.