Italian Francesco Bagnaia, reigning MotoGP world champion, took pole position in the Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas on Saturday, ahead of Spaniard Alex Rins (Honda-LCR) and Italian Luca Marini (Ducati-VR46).
Italian Marco Bezzecchi, current championship leader ahead of Bagnaia, will start 5th in the sprint on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. GMT – and Sunday for the main race (7:00 p.m. GMT). Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), reigning vice-champion, will only start 7th, ahead of the other tricolor on the grid, Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), 9th.
With a time of 2 minutes 01 seconds and 892/1000, Bagnaia beat the old circuit record held since 2022 by Spaniard Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac), only 12th in qualifying on Saturday.
“We can be happy, 2 minutes 01 seconds is a great time considering the rebounds on the track and the level of grip we have,” said the 26-year-old Ducati rider.
But, he already tempers, “I know that the sprint race will be difficult because Alex Marquez (Ducati-Gresini, editor’s note) has an incredible pace, close to mine”.
The Spaniard, – brother of Marc Marquez, absent in Austin due to an injury – will start 4th.
