The starting grid for the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix

As astonishing as it may seem, it had been 245 days since Marc Márquez had last enjoyed the honor of pole position. You had to go back to the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, in the heart of summer, to find his last fastest qualifying time. Yet, the Catalan has since won races and secured a ninth world championship title. MotoGP to equal Valentino RossiThen he suffered injuries — again — missing the end of the season.

And at the start of this season, the Cervera native isn't exactly celebrating, his quest for a 10th title hampered by the confirmed emergence of Marco Bezzecchi, bolstered by a very competitive Aprilia. Yet, it wasn't the Italian who gave Márquez a run for his money at Jerez. Nor was it Fabio Di Giannantonio, despite having secured the last two pole positions. It was the surprising Johann Zarco, a master of skill in the rain, who took advantage of the track conditions to put significant pressure on the factory Ducati rider.

There was a lot of pressure, certainly, but not enough to shake the unshakeable Márquez, who held firm to resist the Frenchman's attacks. This still allows Johann Zarco to start second, as was already the case in Germany in 2025 — his best result in this discipline with Honda — where he was also beaten by Marc Márquez.

Jorge Martín penalized

The two rain masters are joined on the front row by Fabio Di Giannantonio, who continues his impressive run. Behind them, a formidable trio of Marco Bezzecchi, Alex Márquez, and Pedro Acosta will start from the second row. These three riders, representing three different manufacturers, share a common ambition: to return to the podium in both races this weekend. Pecco Bagnaia, however, has to go down to ninth place: the two-time world champion has been particularly discreet, but gains one position compared to his qualifying result (10th) thanks to Jorge Martín's penalty. The 2024 world champion, second in the championship heading into Jerez, received a three-place grid penalty for being too slow on the racing line during Friday afternoon's practice session.

Finally fabio quartararo Yamaha will start only 17th, a year after securing pole position at Jerez. The difficult start to the season continues for Yamaha. The sprint race will take place on Saturday, April 25th at 15 p.m., while the Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, April 26th at 14 p.m. Both can be followed live on AUTOhebdo.fr.

ALSO READ > Johann Zarco narrowly missed pole position against Marc Márquez: "He knows that in this game, I'm practically the only one who can challenge him."

MotoGP – Spanish Grand Prix 
The starting grid

1) Marc Marquez – Ducati
2) Johann Zarco – Honda LCR
3) Fabio Di Giannantonio – Ducati VR46
4) Marco Bezzecchi – Aprilia
5) Alex Marquez – Ducati Gresini
6) Pedro Acosta – KTM
7) Enea Bastianini – KTM Tech3
8) Raúl Fernández – Aprilia Trackhouse
9) Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati
10) Jorge Martín – Aprilia – Penalized three places
11) Ai Ogura – Aprilia Trackhouse
12) Fermín Aldeguer – Ducati Gresini
13) Brad Binder – KTM
14) Joan Mir – Honda
15) Luca Marini – Honda
16) Augusto Fernandez – Yamaha
17) Fabio Quartararo – Yamaha
18) Franco Morbidelli – Ducati VR46
19) Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – Yamaha Pramac
20) Lorenzo Savadori – Aprilia
21) Alex Rins – Yamaha
22) Jack Miller – Yamaha Pramac
23) Diogo Moreira – Honda LCR