Jorge Martin Beats Marc Marquez, Secures Pole Position for the 2026 Japanese MotoGP

Aprilia Racing rider Jorge Martin secured pole position for the 2026 Japanese MotoGP. Martin set the fastest time during the qualifying session at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, on Saturday 3 October 2026.

Martin recorded a lap time of 1 minute 42.371 seconds in Q2. This mark was enough to demote Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Marquez to second place. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pedro Acosta completed the front starting row in third position.

This pole position carries extra significance for Martin, as he had shown no signs of dominance during the previous day's running. In Friday's Practice session, the Spanish rider only managed 8th place with a time of 1 minute 43.275 seconds.

Martin turned the situation around completely in Q2. During the final phase of the session, he improved his lap time and seized the top spot from Marc Marquez.

Pressure fell heavily on Marquez during his final qualifying attempt. The Ducati rider ran wide into the gravel trap while trying to better his time, leaving him unable to reclaim the leading position.

The Q2 result gives Martin a strong foundation after he had been lagging behind the leading pace earlier in the weekend. It also demonstrates Martin's ability to respond sharply when qualifying requires a perfect fastest lap.

Marc Marquez had to settle for second place, but still lines up on the front row alongside Acosta. All three riders will start both the Sprint race and the main Grand Prix from the top three grid positions.

Earlier, Alex Marquez was the fastest rider in the Practice session, posting a lap time of 1 minute 42.811 seconds. Acosta placed second, with Marc Marquez taking third in that session.

The top ten riders from Practice automatically received direct entry to Q2. Francesco Bagnaia did not get this advantage; he finished only 16th in Practice, meaning he was forced to begin qualifying from Q1.

The Japanese MotoGP is the 16th round out of 22 on the 2026 MotoGP calendar. Following qualifying, riders will contest the 12-lap Sprint race on Saturday, before the 24-lap main Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.

Martin now holds the prime starting spot, with full opportunity to convert this pole position into a strong result at Motegi. However, Marc Marquez and Acosta will apply immediate pressure from the front row, in a contest expected to be fiercely competitive right from the opening lap.

2026 Japanese MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) — 1:42.371

2. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo)

3. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM)

4. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)

5. Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati)

6. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati)

7. Enea Bastianini (Tech3 KTM)

8. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia)

9. Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda)

10. Johann Zarco (LCR Honda)

11. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia)

12. Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha)

13. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo)

14. Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati)

15. Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC)

16. Luca Marini (Honda HRC)

17. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM)

18. Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati)

19. Maverick Vinales (Tech3 KTM)

20. Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha)

21. Alex Rins (Yamaha)

22. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pramac Yamaha)