Bagnaia Grabs First Pole of 2025 as Marquez Crashes in Brno

Francesco Bagnaia takes his first pole of 2025 in a dramatic Brno qualifying session, edging out Marc Marquez after a late crash. Quartararo joins the front row as Martin returns in P12.

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Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) stunned the grid by charging from Q1 to pole position in a dramatic qualifying session at the Czech Grand Prix, securing his first pole of the 2025 season. The two-time MotoGP World Champion pulled it off in style, overcoming a rough start to the morning and capitalising on a late-session crash from teammate Marc Marquez to seal P1.

Marquez, who had set the early pace in Q2, looked set to snatch pole before crashing at Turn 13 on his final time attack, just moments after Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) suffered a near-identical fall at the same corner. With yellow flags flying, the chaos sealed Bagnaia’s place at the top of the timesheets with a 1:52.303, relegating the #93 to second on the grid.

Joining the Ducati duo on the front row is Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who delivered a timely performance to slot into P3, his best qualifying of the season so far.

Q1 Recap: Bagnaia’s Fightback Begins

Having found himself in Q1 after a difficult Friday, Bagnaia needed a composed performance to reach Q2, and he delivered. Initially sitting P6, the Italian reset during a mid-session pit stop before launching a blistering second run. His 1:52.715 was enough to top the session, while Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) produced a stunning lap of his own to take the second Q2 spot. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) narrowly missed out, despite improving late in the session.

Q2: Late Twists and Turn 13 Drama

Marc Marquez made an immediate statement in Q2 with a 1:52.522, putting the pressure squarely on the field. Quartararo slotted in just behind, while Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) added their names to the mix. Jorge Martin, returning from injury, struggled to find rhythm and sat 10th after his first run.

Bagnaia, having not set a time yet, launched his attack with five minutes remaining. He went fastest in sectors two and three and crossed the line 0.219s clear of Marquez to take provisional pole.

Then came the chaos.

As the clock ticked down, a chain of late fliers kicked off until Bezzecchi ran wide at Turn 1, and yellow flags for Zarco’s crash disrupted several laps. Just seconds later, Marquez fell at the penultimate corner, dashing his pole hopes and confirming Bagnaia’s first qualifying triumph of the year.

The Grid: Surprises, Setbacks, and Comebacks

Bezzecchi will line up fourth despite his late off-track excursion, with Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) delivering a standout effort for P5, his best qualifying since 2023. Raul Fernandez rounds out the second row in P6.

Row 3 features Acosta, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), and Zarco. Alex, who entered the weekend second in the standings, will be disappointed with P8, his lowest grid slot of the season, especially with Marquez and Bagnaia ahead.

Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), and Jorge Martin complete the top twelve, with the reigning champion making his Grand Prix return after a spell on the sidelines since Qatar.

What’s Next: Sprint Time in Brno

Saturday’s qualifying sets the stage for an explosive Tissot Sprint later this afternoon at 15:00 local time. Bagnaia leads the charge from pole, but all eyes will be on whether Marc Marquez can bounce back from his crash to extend his championship lead, or if Quartararo and Alex Marquez can throw a wrench into Ducati’s dominance.

The Sprint is shaping up to be a thriller. Don’t miss it.