Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing secured pole position at the Michelin Grand Prix of Aragon MotoGP Q2 on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at MotorLand Aragon in Alcañiz, Spain. He set a new all-time circuit lap record with a 1:44.962, becoming the first rider to break the 1:45 barrier and edging out Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo Team by 0.089 seconds, officials said.
This new all-time circuit lap record shattered his own previous best of 1:45.455, set during Friday practice, demonstrating a clear progression over the weekend, officials said. Marc Marquez, riding for Ducati Lenovo Team, posted a best lap of 1:45.051, finishing 0.089 seconds behind Bezzecchi, according to multiple sources including MotoGP’s official report and timing data.
Bezzecchi’s pole position was secured with a lap time of 1:44.962, marking the first sub-1:45 lap ever recorded at MotorLand Aragon, according to official timing sheets from the event.
The qualifying session, held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Alcañiz, Spain, was characterized by a close battle between the two riders. MotoGP’s official coverage described Q2 as a “bout to remember,” highlighting Bezzecchi’s two laps in the 1:44s that ultimately secured his pole position. Bezzecchi completed eight timed laps on his Aprilia bike, while Marquez completed seven laps on his Ducati machine, according to published classification tables. Álex Marquez of Gresini Ducati completed the front row in third place with a time within 0.299 seconds of Bezzecchi’s pole lap.
Reports from Motorsport.com and other outlets noted that Bezzecchi rode through pain to claim pole, describing his performance as “bruised but simply brilliant.” The rider’s physical condition was emphasized in official and media accounts, which contrasted his resilience against a fully fit Marc Marquez. During his final attempt, Marquez experienced a significant front-end moment through Turn 14, which MotoGP officials attributed to the front Michelin tire “crying no more,” effectively ending his chance to improve on his best time and securing Bezzecchi’s position at the top of the grid.
The session took place under clean and dry conditions, with no major incidents or weather disruptions reported. Both riders pushed their machines to the limit, particularly in the final sector of the circuit, where Bezzecchi repeatedly found time to improve his lap. The official timing tables list Bezzecchi’s average speed during his record lap as 174.165 km/h, marginally faster than Marquez’s 174.018 km/h, underscoring the narrow margin between the two competitors.
The front row lineup for the race was completed by Álex Marquez, who secured third place on his Gresini Ducati, rounding out a Ducati presence alongside Marc Marquez. The Q2 field included a total of six Ducati riders, three Aprilias, two Hondas, and one KTM, according to Grande Prêmio’s session report. Bezzecchi’s pole was notable for breaking a two-year streak during which Marc Marquez had dominated qualifying and race wins at Aragon on Ducati machinery, as highlighted by Spanish media coverage.
Marc Marquez entered the weekend as the reigning MotoGP World Champion, adding significance to Bezzecchi’s achievement in topping the qualifying session. Bezzecchi’s pole at Aragon marked his third of the 2026 season, reinforcing his status as one of the year’s most consistent and competitive qualifiers, according to Crash.net. His performance over the weekend, including the new lap record, was portrayed by MotoGP and other outlets as evidence of his emerging benchmark pace on the Aprilia bike.
The qualifying results set the stage for the Michelin Grand Prix of Aragon MotoGP race, with Bezzecchi leading the field from pole position. The event continues the ongoing rivalry between Aprilia Racing and Ducati Lenovo Team, with both manufacturers fielding competitive machines and riders. The race at MotorLand Aragon, a circuit historically favorable to Marc Marquez, will test whether Bezzecchi can convert his record-breaking qualifying performance into race success.
