Marc Marquez Claims Record Pole Position at MotoGP German GP 2026 as Marco Bezzecchi Suffers Collarbone Injury

Sachsenring, Germany, July 11, 2026: Marc Marquez continued his dominance at the Sachsenring by securing a stunning pole position for the 2026 MotoGP German Grand Prix, setting a new all-time lap record and reinforcing his status as the undisputed “King of the Ring.”

The Ducati Lenovo Team rider clocked a sensational 1:19.041, beating younger brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) by just 0.061 seconds, while Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed an all-Ducati front row after finishing less than 0.15 seconds behind the reigning world champion.

While Ducati celebrated another commanding qualifying performance, Aprilia Racing endured a disastrous session. Marco Bezzecchi crashed heavily at Turn 7 during Q2 and was later diagnosed with a broken collarbone. The Italian will return to Italy for surgery and has been ruled out of the remainder of the German Grand Prix weekend. Championship leader Jorge Martin also struggled, qualifying only ninth after failing to improve on his final flying lap.

Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo Progress Through Q1

Q1 featured several high-profile riders fighting for the final two places in Q2, with Francesco Bagnaia leading the way from the outset.

The Ducati Lenovo Team rider posted a 1:19.753 to comfortably top the session, while Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) secured the second transfer spot with a late improvement. Former MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir narrowly missed out despite an impressive effort for Honda HRC Castrol, while teammate Luca Marini was also eliminated.

Marc Marquez Delivers Under Pressure in Q2

The battle for pole position intensified in Q2 as Di Giannantonio initially set the pace with a 1:19.512, before Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) briefly took provisional pole with a 1:19.262.

As the clock ticked down, Di Giannantonio reclaimed the top spot with a 1:19.188, while rookie sensation Ai Ogura briefly climbed into the front row, pushing Marc Marquez down to fourth.

However, the six-time MotoGP World Champion produced another trademark Sachsenring lap when it mattered most. Stringing together four flawless sectors, Marquez fired in a 1:19.041, smashing the circuit lap record and reclaiming pole position in emphatic fashion.

Alex Marquez improved on his final attempt to complete a Marquez brothers one-two, while Di Giannantonio held on to third to lock out the entire front row for Ducati machinery.

Aprilia Suffers Double Blow

Aprilia Racing’s hopes of challenging Ducati took a significant hit during qualifying.

Bezzecchi’s heavy fall at Turn 7 ended with the confirmation of a fractured collarbone, forcing him to withdraw from the weekend. Meanwhile, championship leader Jorge Martin could only qualify ninth after failing to mount one final flying lap in the closing moments of Q2.

The disappointing result leaves the Noale manufacturer with plenty of work ahead of both the Sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Quartararo Impresses, Bagnaia Left Frustrated

Quartararo once again showcased Yamaha’s single-lap pace by qualifying sixth, while Franco Morbidelli initially finished seventh before dropping three places on the grid because of his penalty for impeding Pedro Acosta during Friday Practice.

Bagnaia, despite comfortably progressing through Q1, could only manage tenth in qualifying. He will start 10th in the Sprint and ninth on the Grand Prix grid following Morbidelli’s penalty.

MotoGP German Grand Prix 2026 Qualifying Results (Top 10)

1. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1:19.041 (Pole Position)
2. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
4. Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team)
5. Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team)
6. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
7. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)*
8. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)**
9. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing)
10. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

*Morbidelli will start 10th after serving a three-place grid penalty.
**Bezzecchi has withdrawn after suffering a broken collarbone.

With another pole position and a new lap record, Marc Marquez heads into the Sprint race as the overwhelming favourite to extend his extraordinary Sachsenring record. Ducati appears firmly in control heading into the remainder of the German Grand Prix weekend, while Aprilia faces an uphill battle following Bezzecchi’s injury and Martin’s disappointing qualifying performance.