2026 MotoGP Round 9, Czech Grand Prix Qualifying: Ai Ogura Storms to His First MotoGP Pole

       On June 20, 2026, Saturday qualifying for the MotoGP Czech Grand Prix concluded at Brno, with Trackhouse Aprilia rider Ai Ogura delivering a stunning lap to claim a sensational pole position, confirming the strong pace he had shown throughout practice this weekend.

       This was the Japanese rider’s first pole position in the MotoGP premier class. Poor qualifying results had often left Ogura having to overtake his way through the field in races to score points. Now, with pole secured, he has emerged as the leading favourite to win this round’s Grand Prix race.

       Ogura will share the front row with VR46 Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio and factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, having set a lap more than 0.2 seconds quicker than either Italian.

       As qualifying drew to a close, the air temperature at the circuit climbed to almost 30°C. In the heat, riders struggled to complete two consecutive valid timed laps on the same set of tyres. Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi nevertheless made a breakthrough on his final run, taking his Aprilia Racing machine up to fourth.

       Starting alongside Bezzecchi is Marc Márquez, whose qualifying session fell short of expectations: his first flying lap was deleted following a track-limits infringement warning, while on his crucial timed lap during the second run, he was overtaken on track by teammate Bagnaia.

       LCR Honda rider Diogo Moreira continued to impress, briefly leading the field during the opening timed runs in Q2, although he could not improve his personal best after heading out for his second run. Even so, he secured sixth and will start on the same row as Márquez.

       Raúl Fernández suffered a sudden bout of appendicitis earlier this week, leaving questions over his fitness, but still qualified seventh to head the third row. Behind him are Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pedro Acosta and VR46 Ducati’s Franco Morbidelli, in that order.

       Aprilia Racing’s Jorge Martín struggled throughout to match the pace of the riders at the front and ultimately finished tenth, sharing a row with Gresini Ducati’s Fermín Aldeguer and Honda HRC’s Joan Mir.

       Earlier, Martín had enjoyed a comfortable Q1, his first lap putting him 0.201 seconds ahead of Morbidelli as he progressed easily to Q2. None of the top four riders in Q1 improved on their second runs, making for an uneventful first qualifying session.

       Maverick Viñales was the first rider to miss out on Q2, qualifying 13th for Red Bull KTM Tech3. His future at the French KTM satellite team has also become a major talking point in the paddock.

       Sharing his row is Gresini Ducati’s Álex Márquez, who suffered a serious crash in Barcelona just over a month ago. Returning here, he has yet to regain peak physical or competitive form.

       Factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo qualified 15th, completing the fifth row. He was also the best-placed rider in a Yamaha contingent that struggled throughout.

Q1

Q2