Motegi, Japan – September 27, 2025: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) returned to his blistering best at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, snatching pole position after an electrifying MotoGP™ qualifying session at Mobility Resort Motegi. The reigning double World Champion, who had endured struggles in Barcelona and Misano, looked untouchable as he set the benchmark late in Q2.

Bagnaia’s final flying lap denied Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) a fairytale maiden pole in MotoGP™, forcing the Spaniard to settle for P2. Still, the performance marked Mir’s best-ever qualifying result in the premier class and Honda’s first front-row start since 2023. Completing the front row is Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), who remains firmly in championship contention heading into Sunday’s showdown.

Drama in Q1: Morbidelli and Alex Marquez Break Through

The opening session was packed with star names, including Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP), and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). After a flurry of late crashes and yellow flags, it was Morbidelli and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing) who advanced to Q2, leaving home favorite Ogura and title hopeful Martin stranded in 13th and 17th respectively.

Q2 Shootout: Bagnaia Resurgent, Mir Surprises

Q2 delivered high drama from the start as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) suffered technical issues before charging back to finish P4. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo gave the home crowd plenty to cheer with P5, his team’s best Japanese GP qualifying since 2019.

Morbidelli’s late push briefly put him on provisional pole before Marc Marquez snatched it away. But the real shock came from Mir, who rocketed to P1 with less than a minute left—only for Bagnaia to deliver a stunning late lap that sealed his first pole since Brno and second of the 2025 season.

Final Grid Top 10 – Motegi MotoGP Qualifying

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
2. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)
3. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team)
4. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
5. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
6. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
7. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol)
8. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing)
9. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)
10. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)

Sprint Showdown Awaits

The focus now shifts to the Tissot Sprint at 15:00 local time (UTC+9). With Bagnaia back on pole, Marquez eyeing critical championship points, and Mir riding high on confidence, fans can expect fireworks at Motegi.