AI OGURA TAKES MAIDEN MOTOGP POLE AT THE CZECH GRAND PRIX
Ai Ogura delivered a breakthrough performance in qualifying at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, taking his first-ever MotoGP pole position after a record-breaking lap that left the field just behind him. The Japanese rider for the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team set a time of 1:51.139, finishing more than two tenths clear of Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Francesco Bagnaia completed the front row in third.
Ogura’s performance made him the sixth different polesitter of the 2026 season and the first Japanese rider to take pole position in MotoGP since 2020, marking a major milestone in his rapid rise within the premier class. His pace had already been clear on Friday, where he topped the timesheets, and he confirmed his form by breaking the lap record again in Saturday morning practice before carrying that speed into qualifying.
The qualifying session in Brno was highly competitive from the start, with multiple riders briefly holding provisional pole as track conditions improved and lap times quickly dropped. Early in Q2, Fabio Di Giannantonio set the initial benchmark, followed closely by Diogo Moreira and Ogura, before the session entered a rapid phase of constant improvements.
Bagnaia was one of the first major challengers, setting a strong lap that initially placed him at the top of the timesheets. Marc Márquez also briefly split the Ducati riders, coming within half a tenth of his teammate, setting up what looked like a tight battle for pole position among the factory contenders.
However, Ogura responded at the perfect moment. With just minutes remaining in the session, he produced a stunning lap that immediately put him over two tenths clear of the field. Despite late efforts from Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia, neither rider was able to match his pace, and the Japanese rider remained unbeaten as the session came to a close.
Behind the front row, championship leader Marco Bezzecchi secured fourth place, leading the second row ahead of Marc Márquez in fifth and rookie Diogo Moreira in sixth, continuing his strong adaptation to MotoGP machinery. Raúl Fernández followed in seventh despite dealing with illness during the weekend, while Pedro Acosta completed the third row in eighth.
Franco Morbidelli advanced through Q1 to take ninth on the grid, just ahead of Jorge Martín in tenth. Martín, still recovering from a heavy crash in Hungary, faces a more difficult race day ahead with two Long Lap penalties still to serve.
Further down the grid, Fermín Aldeguer, Joan Mir, Maverick Viñales, Alex Márquez and Fabio Quartararo filled positions outside the top ten, setting up a challenging race from mid-pack.
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