Here is the MotoGP starting grid in Austin: Di Giannantonio starts from pole, while Bezzecchi chases Martin in the standings.
After yesterday’s spectacular Sprint, Austin is ready to host an exciting United States Grand Prix. Fabio Di Giannantonio holds pole position, followed by Marco Bezzecchi, completing an all-Italian 1-2. Pedro Acosta set the third fastest time, while Francesco Bagnaia starts fourth, aiming to repeat yesterday’s strong performance.
Saturday Recap
Saturday in Austin proved extremely intense and unpredictable. Qualifying delivered another Italian 1-2, with Fabio Di Giannantonio ahead of Marco Bezzecchi. Both confirmed the strong form already seen in Goiania, while Pedro Acosta and Francesco Bagnaia completed a very tight front two rows. Just behind them were Joan Mir and Marc Marquez, with minimal gaps, setting the stage for a Sprint full of action.
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However, the Sprint race completely reshuffled the order. After an aggressive start from Bagnaia and the dramatic crash that eliminated Marquez and Di Giannantonio early on, victory seemed to be in Pecco’s hands. Bezzecchi’s crash a few laps from the end changed everything again, allowing Jorge Martin to launch a decisive late attack on Bagnaia and secure a spectacular and unexpected victory.
Penalties: Several Riders Punished
Three riders received penalties. Marc Marquez will serve a long lap penalty following the incident with Di Giannantonio, with the Spaniard himself admitting he deserved a sanction.
Two riders lose positions on the grid: Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, both penalized for impeding Marquez. Pedro Acosta, meanwhile, had already been penalized during the Sprint due to tyre pressure issues.
THE STARTING GRID
- Fabio Di Giannantonio – Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team – 02:00.136
- Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – +0.349
- Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – +0.427
- Marco Bezzecchi – Aprilia Racing – +0.193 (PENALTY)
- Joan Mir – Honda HRC Castrol – +0.455
- Marc Marquez – Ducati Lenovo Team – +0.501
- Jorge Martin – Aprilia Racing – +0.560
- Alex Marquez – BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP – +0.629
- Fermin Aldeguer – BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP – +0.878
- Ai Ogura – Trackhouse MotoGP Team – +1.283
- Luca Marini – Honda HRC Castrol – +0.755 (PENALTY)
- Enea Bastianini – Red Bull KTM Tech3 – +1.341
- Raul Fernandez – Trackhouse MotoGP Team – +0.251 dal 12°
- Diogo Moreira – Pro Honda LCR – +0.329
- Johann Zarco – Castrol Honda LCR – +0.468
- Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team – +0.576
- Toprak Razgatlioglu – Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP – +0.768
- Brad Binder – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – +0.888
- Jack Miller – Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP – +0.916
- Franco Morbidelli – Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team – +1.140
- Alex Rins – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team – +1.389
The 2026 United States Grand Prix is scheduled for 22:00 CEST.
Photo: MotoGP
