Q2 thriller in Misano: Pole for Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez involved in a double crash

As the final session to determine the best starting positions got underway, the Misano World Circuit, in contrast to the previous sessions, now offered ideal conditions. The elite of the current MotoGP field came together in Q2: Marc Márquez, the Aprilia riders Bezzecchi and Martin, and Raúl Fernández, who had progressed from Q1. Also present were Pedro Acosta and Pol Espargaró, the two Honda riders Zarco and Marini, and – much to the delight of the VR46 community – both Rossi-backed riders, Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli. Plus: Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer, who had also had to go through Q1.

The spectacle got underway at 11.15 am. Would Marc Márquez manage to spoil the Aprilia party in Marco Bezzecchi’s playroom? The first strike went to the Ducati camp – but courtesy of Gresini rider Alex Marquez. ‘AM73’ was the fastest on the opening lap, but just one lap later the runner-up in the championship slid out in the second sector.

His brother Marc took over. The champion clocked a time of 1:30.504 mins. There was still no sign of the Aprilia aces. Martin and Bezzecchi were initially languishing at the back of the 12-man field. But on lap 3, Bezzecchi clocked the first sub-1:30 lap at Misano: 1:29.982 mins. This put ‘Bez’ half a second ahead of Diggia in second place in front of the cheering Tifosi, and a further two tenths faster than Marc Marquez.

Before the final push, Jorge Martin was in fourth place, ahead of Morbidelli, the crashed Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta. Five minutes before the chequered flag, all the top riders took to the Misano World Circuit once more on fresh tyres. Fermin Aldeguer was the first to improve his time, moving up to fifth place. But the pace continued to rise. Marc Marquez set about catching Bezzecchi, but had to abandon his first attempt after a slip in Turn 8. Aldeguer, by contrast, moved up to second place without any mistakes. Then came the next yellow flags – Di Giannantonio crashed in Turn 4 and was in danger of losing his front-row starting position.

On his second attempt, Marc Marquez remained error-free – with a time of 1:30.180, the world champion moved up to second place. At the same time, the drama continued for Alex Marquez, who was dropped by Gresini for the second time. Whilst Luca Marini improved to sixth place as the best Honda rider, Marc Marquez was forced to pull out. This secured pole position at his home race for Marco Bezzecchi – the third-placed rider in the World Championship will start ahead of Marc Marquez and surprise package Fermin Aldeguer.

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Misano: Qualifying Moto3

MotoGP World Championship

12.09.2026 - 12:40

Behind them, Di Giannantonio, Martin and Marini will start the race from the second row. Pedro Acosta finished only seventh, ahead of Franco Morbidelli, in the third row.