P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Francesco Bagnaia left it late in the French MotoGP qualifying to claim his first pole position of the 2026 season.
Francesco Bagnaia achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season during the French MotoGP qualifying, securing the top spot with a lap time of 1:29.634s at Le Mans.
This marked Bagnaia’s first pole position since the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix, and he dramatically jumped from seventh place to pole on his final flying lap with a superb performance in the final sector.
Marc Marquez set a new all-time lap record in Q1 but had to settle for second place in Q2 after being overtaken by his Ducati teammate in the closing moments.
Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi qualified third on the factory Aprilia, completing the front row alongside Bagnaia and Marquez.
Fabio di Giannantonio and Pedro Acosta will lead the second row in fourth and fifth place respectively, with home favorite Fabio Quartararo starting in sixth position for his home Grand Prix.
