In his first MotoGP qualifying session at Motegi, rookie Pedro Acosta clinched the top spot on the grid in Japan. While Pecco Bagnaia confidently secured second place, World Championship leader Jorge Martin finished in 11th.
With Pramac racer Franky Morbidelli and Yamaha factory rider Fabio Quartararo being the two fastest competitors from Q1, the final starting grid for the races in Motegi — including the Japan Sprint on Saturday afternoon and the Grand Prix on Sunday — was determined in Q2.
The weather conditions once again played a thrilling role. Although the track was dry at the beginning of the 15-minute Q2 session, rain flags were waved around the circuit, and the first umbrellas were raised. Minimal rain fell during the riders’ out-lap.
The riders immediately aimed to record their first competitive times, fearing that the track would become slower with each passing minute. Eight-time champion Marc Marquez set the initial benchmark time. With a lap time of 1:45.7, the Gresini rider was already two seconds behind the Q2 leader.
However, the rain stopped after four minutes, leading to an immediate improvement in lap times. Marquez once again showcased his speed, while Pedro Acosta shot up to second place as Pecco Bagnaia returned to the pits for a new rear tire without a timed lap.
Marco Bezzecchi gained confidence and set a new record with his second flying lap, but just a minute later, Pedro Acosta’s GASGAS claimed the provisional pole position. Halfway through Q2, Jorge Martin, who was in seventh place, was still struggling to find his rhythm.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia was back on track with fresh tires. On his second lap, the #1 rider achieved a solid time, securing second place with four minutes remaining.
On the same lap, drama unfolded for the Pramac team. Jorge Martin crashed in turn 6 while trying to improve his position, preventing him from qualifying. The incident dropped the championship leader to 11th place.
The excitement continued as Gresini star Marc Marquez made a sensational lap to take the lead. However, the jubilation in the Ducati customer team’s pit was short-lived, as stewards invalidated his lap for exceeding track limits, placing him in 9th position.
Meanwhile, World Champion Pecco Bagnaia and GASGAS star Pedro Acosta exchanged the fastest times. Amidst cheers from the Tech3 team and all of Austria, the rookie triumphed, achieving his first pole position in the premier class with a time of 1:43.018 — a new track record.
Next to Acosta, World Championship runner-up Bagnaia will start the race, alongside close friend Maverick Vinales, who completed the front row. Enea Bastianini, Brad Binder, and Franco Morbidelli finished 4th, 5th, and 6th, respectively, in a peculiar Q2 that featured visor drops but dry conditions. If it remains dry during the races, Bastianini will be a serious contender.
An exciting note: the top four in the World Championship are evenly distributed across the first four rows, with Championship leader Jorge Martin starting in the 11th position, the lowest for the sprint and GP events.
Results MotoGP Motegi, Qualifying 2 (October 5):
1. Pedro Acosta (E), KTM, 1:43.018 min
2. Francesco Bagnaia (I), Ducati, +0.246 sec
3. Maverick Vinales (E), Aprilia, +0.423
4. Enea Bastianini (I), Ducati, +0.521
5. Brad Binder (ZA), KTM, +0.643
6. Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati, +0.810
7. Fabio Di Giannantonio (I), Ducati, +0.980
8. Marco Bezzecchi (I), Ducati, +1.055
9. Marc Marquez (E), Ducati, +1.118
10. Alex Marquez (E), Ducati, +1.245
11. Jorge Martin (E), Ducati, +1.285
12. Fabio Quartararo (F), Yamaha, +1.479
Results MotoGP Motegi, Qualifying 1 (October 5):
1. Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati, +1:43.746 min
2. Fabio Quartararo (F), Yamaha, +0.259 sec
3. Raul Fernandez (E), Aprilia, +0.376
4. Jack Miller (AUS), KTM, +0.447
5. Aleix Espargaro (E), Aprilia, +0.456
6. Johann Zarco (F), Honda, +0.556
7. Joan Mir (E), Honda, +0.752
8. Augusto Fernandez (E), KTM, +0.801
9. Alex Rins (E), Yamaha, +0.806
10. Luca Marini (I), Honda, +0.902
11. Takaki Nakagami (J), Honda, +1.140
12. Lorenzo Savadori (I), Aprilia, +1.676
13. Remy Gardner (AUS), Yamaha, +1.848
Pedro Acosta Clinches First MotoGP Pole Position at Motegi
In a stunning display of skill and determination, rookie Pedro Acosta has claimed first place on the grid during his inaugural MotoGP qualifying at the Motegi circuit in Japan. This achievement comes as world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia qualified in second place, while championship leader Jorge Martin faced adversity, finishing down in 11th place.
Qualifying Overview
The excitement of the MotoGP qualifying session in Motegi was heightened by the conditions on the track. Despite starting on a dry surface, rain flags were waving, signaling changing weather conditions. Early rain forced riders to push for quick times during the brief 15-minute Q2 session.
Weather Factor
The unpredictable weather played a critical role, with minimal rain beginning to fall during the riders’ out-lap. Competitors were eager to set their fastest times, anticipating that the track conditions would deteriorate. Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez set the first benchmark with a time of 1:45.7 but was markedly slower than the leaders.
Fast Laps and Record Times
As the rain subsided after 4 minutes into the session, the pace quickened. Pedro Acosta, riding for GASGAS, surged to the top of the leaderboard while Pecco Bagnaia returned to the pits for fresh tires. Marco Bezzecchi initially set a new record, but the spotlight quickly turned back to Acosta, who ultimately secured pole with a blistering time of 1:43.018, establishing a new track record.
Key Moments in Q2
The session was marked by dramatic twists. Jorge Martin, looking to better his position, crashed out in turn 6, forcing him to a disappointing 11th place. The crash not only thwarted Martin’s chances but also impacted the dynamics of the championship as he sought to maintain his lead in the standings.
Final Grid Positionings
In a thrilling end to the session, Acosta’s record-breaking lap secured him first position. He is flanked by fellow competitor Bagnaia in second and Maverick Vinales of Aprilia in third. With the top four championship contenders spaced across the grid, the stage is set for an intense race weekend in Motegi.
Results of MotoGP Motegi Qualifying
| Position | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedro Acosta (E) | KTM | 1:43.018 min |
| 2 | Francesco Bagnaia (I) | Ducati | +0.246 sec |
| 3 | Maverick Vinales (E) | Aprilia | +0.423 sec |
| 4 | Enea Bastianini (I) | Ducati | +0.521 sec |
| 5 | Brad Binder (ZA) | KTM | +0.643 sec |
| 6 | Franco Morbidelli (I) | Ducati | +0.810 sec |
| 7 | Fabio Di Giannantonio (I) | Ducati | +0.980 sec |
| 8 | Marco Bezzecchi (I) | Ducati | +1.055 sec |
| 9 | Marc Marquez (E) | Ducati | +1.118 sec |
| 10 | Alex Marquez (E) | Ducati | +1.245 sec |
| 11 | Jorge Martin (E) | Ducati | +1.285 sec |
| 12 | Fabio Quartararo (F) | Yamaha | +1.479 sec |
Qualifying 1 Results
| Position | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franco Morbidelli (I) | Ducati | 1:43.746 min |
| 2 | Fabio Quartararo (F) | Yamaha | +0.259 sec |
| 3 | Raul Fernandez (E) | Aprilia | +0.376 sec |
| 4 | Jack Miller (AUS) | KTM | +0.447 sec |
| 5 | Aleix Espargaro (E) | Aprilia | +0.456 sec |
| 6 | Johann Zarco (F) | Honda | +0.556 sec |
| 7 | Joan Mir (E) | Honda | +0.752 sec |
| 8 | Augusto Fernandez (E) | KTM | +0.801 sec |
| 9 | Alex Rins (E) | Yamaha | +0.806 sec |
| 10 | Luca Marini (I) | Honda | +0.902 sec |
| 11 | Takaki Nakagami (J) | Honda | +1.140 sec |
| 12 | Lorenzo Savadori (I) | Aprilia | +1.676 sec |
| 13 | Remy Gardner (AUS) | Yamaha | +1.848 sec |
What Lies Ahead
As the excitement builds for the Japan Sprint on Saturday afternoon and the Grand Prix on Sunday, all eyes will be on Pedro Acosta as he takes to the track for the first time as a pole sitter. With championship implications on the line, fans can expect a thrilling display of racing from all competitors.
