Ai Ogura Secures Historic First MotoGP Pole Position with Brno Lap Record at Czech Grand Prix

Brno, Czech Republic, June20, 2026: SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP rider Ai Ogura delivered a stunning qualifying performance at the Czech Grand Prix, claiming his maiden MotoGP pole position while breaking the Brno lap record for the second consecutive day.

The Japanese rookie clocked a sensational 1:51.139 during Saturday’s Q2 session, finishing more than two-tenths of a second clear of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completing the front row in third.

The achievement makes Ogura the sixth different polesitter of the 2026 MotoGP season and the first Japanese rider to take pole position since the 2020 Teruel Grand Prix, underlining his rapid rise in the premier class.

Jorge Martin Progresses Through Q1 Despite Injury Concerns

Reigning World Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) faced an uphill battle after being forced into Q1 following Friday’s practice sessions. Still recovering from injuries sustained in a crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Martin responded with a strong performance, posting a 1:51.819 lap to top Q1 and secure progression to Q2.

Joining him in the second qualifying session was Franco Morbidelli, while Maverick Viñales narrowly missed out on advancement and was left to start 13th on the grid.

Meanwhile, an incident involving Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) attracted the attention of MotoGP stewards. Razgatlioglu received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Bastianini during qualifying, dropping the Turkish rider further down the starting order.

Ogura Unstoppable in Q2

The battle for pole position intensified during Q2 as Di Giannantonio initially held provisional pole ahead of rookie Diogo Moreira and Ogura.

Bagnaia then surged to the top of the timesheets with a blistering lap, only for teammate Marc Marquez to fall just short of the benchmark. Moments later, Ogura produced the lap of the session, lighting up every sector and setting a new lap record that none of his rivals could match.

Di Giannantonio mounted a late challenge to secure second place but remained over two-tenths adrift, while Bagnaia held onto third despite the late charge from several contenders.

Marc Marquez ultimately abandoned his final flying lap, leaving Ogura comfortably on pole as the checkered flag fell.

2026 MotoGP Czech Grand Prix Qualifying Results (Top 15)

1. Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP) – 1:51.139
2. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
3. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
4. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)
5. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team)
6. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR)
7. Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP)
8. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
9. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
10. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing)
11. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
12. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)
13. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3)
14. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
15. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)

Can Ogura Convert Pole into Victory?

With championship leader Marco Bezzecchi starting fourth and title contenders Bagnaia and Marc Marquez lining up close behind, Ogura faces a stern challenge in both the Tissot Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

However, the Trackhouse rider has already demonstrated exceptional pace and tyre management throughout the weekend. Having shattered the lap record and secured a landmark first pole position, Ogura enters race day as one of the favourites to claim what would be a breakthrough MotoGP victory at Brno.

All eyes will now be on whether the Japanese sensation can convert his historic pole position into a memorable Czech Grand Prix triumph.