Marco Bezzecchi Storms to Pole for Portugal MotoGP as Acosta and Quartararo Shine

Portimão, Portugal – November 8, 2025: Marco Bezzecchi delivered a stunning qualifying performance at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal, snatching pole position for Aprilia Racing with a blistering 1:37.556. The Italian led a thrilling MotoGP Q2 sessionby just over three-tenths from Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, who claimed his first front-row start of the season.

Completing the front row was Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who once again proved his one-lap magic by charging through from Q1 to an impressive P3 on the grid.

Yamaha Duo Shine in Q1

Qualifying began in tricky, drying conditions, with Quartararo laying down the first serious benchmark at 1:40.031before improving to the 1:39s, joined by Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Nicolo Bulega (Ducati Lenovo Team).

As the track evolved rapidly, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) briefly went fastest before Quartararo struck back with a lap three-tenths quicker. Shadowing the Frenchman, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) vaulted into P2, securing both Yamahas a place in Q2 after a strong late flourish.

Bezzecchi Blazes to Pole as Acosta Impresses

In Q2, Quartararo kept the momentum rolling, immediately setting the pace with a 1:38.518. But the session soon turned into a fierce four-way fight as Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing), Bezzecchi, and Acosta all traded fastest laps.

Marquez briefly held the top spot with a 1:38.098, but Bezzecchi responded in style — his 1:37.556 lap standing as the session’s ultimate benchmark. Acosta moved into P2, while Marquez slipped to P3 before crashing at Turn 3, ending his pole bid.

That opened the door for Quartararo, who delivered another late burst to snatch second before Acosta reclaimed the position moments later. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) looked threatening in the closing stages but lost time in the final sector, settling for P4.

Bezzecchi’s time went unbeaten as the chequered flag waved, earning him a commanding first pole of the 2025 seasonand confirming Aprilia’s growing presence at the sharp end of MotoGP.

Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal – Top 12 Grid

1. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) – 1:37.556
2. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – +0.3s
3. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) – +0.35s
4. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
5. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
6. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR)
7. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)
8. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP)
9. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
10. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
11. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
12. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)

Set for a Spectacular Sunday in Portugal

With Bezzecchi on pole, Acosta hunting his first MotoGP win from P2, and Quartararo back in the mix, the 2025 Portuguese Grand Prix grid promises fireworks. Bagnaia and Marquez will be eager to strike from the second row, while Yamaha’s resurgence hints at a potential surprise come race day.

The stage is set at Portimão’s Algarve International Circuit for another high-speed MotoGP showdown, where fractions of a second could decide victory.