In an exciting qualifying session at the MotoGP’s Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya, Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has secured the first pole position of the 2026 season. This marks Acosta’s first pole since the Japanese Grand Prix in 2024, showcasing his remarkable talent.
Qualifying Highlights
Acosta’s impressive performance placed him ahead of Franco Morbidelli from Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and Alex Marquez of BK8 Gresini Racing, who qualified in second and third respectively. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi, the current championship leader from Aprilia Racing, faced a setback after crashing at Turn 2, resulting in a disappointing 12th place on the grid.
Fast-Paced Q1
- Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Morbidelli finished strong in Q1.
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) were among the notable names who struggled.
- Jorge Martin initially took the lead but crashed at Turn 5 during his second run.
Morbidelli made an impressive comeback to secure the top spot going into Q2, leaving Bagnaia in third and not qualifying for the top sessions.
Thrilling Q2 Session
With conditions set for an intense Q2, Acosta quickly set the pace with a time of 1:38.118. Behind him, Marquez and Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse MotoGP Team also performed well. However, Bezzecchi’s crash was a major concern for the championship standings, pushing him to a mere ninth place.
Despite this, Fabio Quartararo from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP climbed the ranks to finish fifth. As the session progressed, Acosta managed to improve his lap time, finishing on top. Morbidelli also recorded a strong lap, concluding the qualifying in second place.
Grid Results and Upcoming Race
The final grid highlights are as follows:
| Position | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing |
| 2 | Franco Morbidelli | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team |
| 3 | Alex Marquez | BK8 Gresini Racing |
| 4 | Raul Fernandez | Trackhouse MotoGP Team |
| 5 | Fabio Quartararo | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP |
| 9 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing |
With an unpredictable grid in place, fans can expect an exhilarating Tissot Sprint and the main event on Sunday. The race is set to kick off at 15:00 local time (UTC +2). All eyes will be on Acosta as he aims to build on his momentum this weekend.
