Marco Bezzecchi will start MotoGP’s San Marino Grand Prix from pole position after setting a new lap record in Saturday’s qualifying session.
The factory Aprilia rider smashed the Misano circuit record to clinch his second consecutive pole position, and fourth overall of the season.
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez will line up just behind him aboard the factory Ducati, meaning the two title rivals will once again start first and second on the grid.
Completing the front row will be Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer, who made his way from Q1 to grab third place.
The second-row also features several heavy hitters, including VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio and Aprilia’s points leader Jorge Martin. Honda rider Luca Marini also impressed in qualifying and will take the start from sixth place.
Alex Marquez appeared set to be in the fight for victory this weekend after practice, but two crashes in qualifying left him ninth, behind KTM’s Pedro Acosta and outgoing VR46 rider Franco Morbidelli.
Johann Zarco originally qualified 11th for LCR Honda, behind the Trackhouse Aprilia of Raul Fernandez, but was demoted to 11th on the grid for impeding Bezzecchi in Q2.
The San Marino GP gets underway at 2pm local time on Sunday, 13 September 2026. MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi will be among those in attendance, supporting his VR46 team.
MotoGP San Marino GP starting grid:
Cla
Rider
Team
Time
Gap
1
Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia
1’29.982
–
2
Marc Márquez
Ducati
1’30.180
0.198
3
Fermín Aldeguer
Gresini
1’30.350
0.368
4
Fabio Di Giannantonio
VR46
1’30.386
0.404
5
Jorge Martín
Aprilia
1’30.569
0.587
6
Luca Marini
Honda
1’30.609
0.627
7
Pedro Acosta
KTM
1’30.640
0.658
8
Franco Morbidelli
VR46
1’30.643
0.661
9
Álex Márquez
Gresini
1’30.696
0.714
10
Raúl Fernández
Trackhouse
1’30.853
0.871
11
Pol Espargaró
Tech3
1’31.180
1.198
12
Fabio Quartararo
Yamaha
1’30.799
0.817
13
Francesco Bagnaia
Ducati
1’30.916
0.934
14
Johann Zarco
LCR
1’30.887
0.905
15
Diogo Moreira
LCR
1’30.966
0.984
16
Enea Bastianini
Tech3
1’31.113
1.131
17
Joan Mir
Honda
1’31.149
1.167
18
Jack Miller
Pramac
1’31.413
1.431
19
Brad Binder
KTM
1’31.552
1.570
20
Alex Rins
Yamaha
1’31.593
1.611
21
Toprak.Razgatlıoglu
Pramac
1’32.264
2.282
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