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Doha, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi produced a stunning late surge to beat championship leader Marc Marquez and secure pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix, setting a new lap record of 1:50.028 at the Lusail International Circuit on Saturday.
Bezzecchi finished 0.266 seconds ahead of Ducati's Marquez, while VR46 Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio secured third place to complete the front row.
Marquez initially set the pace in Q2 with a record lap of 1:50.361 before improving to 1:50.294 on his final run. Bezzecchi responded with a 1:50.065 on his first flying lap and lowered the time further in his final attempt to claim pole.
Trackhouse Aprilia's Raul Fernandez qualified fourth, followed by Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia in fifth and teammate Ai Ogura in sixth. Johann Zarco took seventh, ahead of KTM's Pedro Acosta and Gresini Ducati's Fermin Aldeguer. Enea Bastianini will start 10th, with Aprilia's Jorge Martin 11th and Brad Binder 12th.
Acosta and Aldeguer advanced from Q1 to Q2. Franco Morbidelli finished third in the opening qualifying session, ahead of Luca Marini, Iker Lecuona, Diogo Moreira, Jake Dixon and Maverick Vinales.
The session also saw Binder crash for the second time that weekend after a red flag interruption. Subsequent yellow flags prevented some riders from improving their times.
Martin, second in the championship standings, appeared to be struggling with his injuries and pulled up before completing a meaningful run in the morning. He was later involved in an altercation with Acosta during his final flying lap.
Marquez can secure the world championship if he finishes the Spanish Grand Prix at least 30 points ahead of Martin and eight points clear of Bezzecchi.