MotoGP News: Alex Marquez breaks record, wins pole in Spain

Alex Marquez (pictured) stormed to pole position for the 2025 Catalan MotoGP in Barcelona, shattering the lap record to outpace Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and secure his first pole since 2023.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The Gresini Ducati rider comfortably held off Quartararo, while his brother, championship leader Marc Marquez, claimed third on the grid as he aims to extend his 15-race win streak in today’s Sprint.

Midway through qualifying, Marc, sitting sixth, appeared frustrated, animatedly discussing with his crew before seeking a tow on his final run. Targeting Alex, he was briefly overshadowed when Tech3’s Pedro Acosta snatched provisional pole.

The Marquez brothers responded decisively: Alex surged 0.378s ahead of Acosta, and Marc climbed to second. Acosta’s hopes were dashed when his best lap was canceled for track limits violations. Quartararo then split the brothers, while Marc’s last-gasp effort was thwarted by a dramatic save, ruling out further improvement.

In Qualifying 1, Quartararo set a blistering 1:37 lap record to advance to Q2, joined by Fabio di Giannantonio. Meanwhile, Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia endured a nightmare session, languishing in 21st. Team manager Davide Tardozzi could barely watch.

The 12-lap Sprint race kicks off at 3:00 PM local time.

Elsewhere, Tech3’s Maverick Vinales is staging a second comeback from a shoulder injury sustained at Sachsenring. LCR rookie Somkiat Chantra, sidelined since knee ligament injuries after the Dutch GP, also returns this weekend. HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro, who withdrew from a planned LCR appearance at Balaton Park due to a back injury from a cycling accident, is competing as a wild-card at his home race. Espargaro, the 2023 Catalan MotoGP winner and last season’s Sprint victor for Aprilia, adds intrigue. Aprilia bolsters its lineup with test rider Lorenzo Savadori on a fifth RS-GP.

2025 Catalan MotoGP Qualifying Results

* Rookie