Spanish GP – Qualifying: Marc Márquez duels with Johann Zarco in the wet

Johann Zarco came very close. The Frenchman put on a show in the wet at Jerez, embroiled in an intense battle for pole position at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. MotoGP facing Marc Márquez. In conditions he loves, he first got through Q1 by setting the fastest time, before responding successively to the reigning world champion on time in Q2.

Although the Frenchman briefly held provisional pole position, the Spaniard completed a final lap in 1:48.087 to retake the lead. Johann Zarco was ahead of that time during his final effort. However, a slight slide in the last corner of the track cost him the ninth pole position in the premier class that he was aiming for.

The Frenchman nevertheless secured an excellent front-row start, his first since the 2025 German Grand Prix, when he was already battling Marc Márquez in similar conditions. The most recent pole-sitter, Fabio Di Giannantonio, completes the front row.

Well, @ johannzarco1 Definitely gave it a go! 👏#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/Fx2WEwNeER

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 25, 2026

Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi qualified fourth in Q2. On the second row, Álex Márquez, the fastest rider on Friday, could only manage fifth place after crashing early in the session. His Gresini teammate, Fermín Aldeguer, also crashed in Q2 and will start the weekend's races from 12th on the grid.

Pedro Acosta was the second rider to make it through Q1, behind Johann Zarco. The Spaniard ultimately finished 6th, ahead of Enea Bastianini (8th). Two KTMs therefore featured in the top 10.

The other Frenchman on the grid, fabio quartararoHe didn't have a brilliant session. The Frenchman will start only 17th on the grid, as the best-placed Yamaha rider. All the Iwata-based riders, however, were beaten by the wildcard entry entered by the manufacturer at Jerez. Augusto Fernández finished Q1 with the 6th fastest time, which would have given him 16th place on the grid.

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MotoGP – Spanish Grand Prix 

The Qualifications ranking: