Can Bagnaia Maintain His Momentum After Securing His First Pole of 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Francesco Bagnaia clinched his first pole position of the 2025 season.
- Marc Marquez crashed late in the session, affecting his grid position.
- Bagnaia's performance demonstrates his return to top form.
- Fabio Quartararo showed strong pace, securing third on the grid.
- The upcoming race promises an intense competition between Bagnaia and Marquez.
Brno (Czech Republic), July 19 (NationPress) - In an exhilarating qualifying session, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez captivated fans at Brno. Bagnaia clinched his first pole position of 2025, while Marquez faced an unfortunate late crash that cost him the chance to secure pole for the upcoming Czech Grand Prix.
Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP World Champion, kicked off his qualifying journey in Q1, where he encountered fierce competition from Fabio Di Giannantonio and Pol Espargaro. After a rocky start that found him outside the Q2 transfer spots, Bagnaia regrouped and unleashed a phenomenal lap of 1:52.715, ensuring his progression into Q2 alongside Raul Fernandez. This marked a significant achievement for both riders - Bagnaia’s first pole of the season and Fernandez’s best Saturday outcome to date.
Once in Q2, Bagnaia continued his strong performance. With just five minutes remaining and no credible lap time set, the Italian surged to the front, surpassing Marquez’s initial time by 0.219 seconds. This set the stage for a dramatic showdown between the factory Ducati teammates, both vying for pole.
Marquez, who leads the championship standings, was poised to respond to Bagnaia’s challenge. As he launched his final attack, Marquez lit up the timing screens and seemed destined to reclaim pole - until disaster struck. At Turn 13, the same location where Johann Zarco had crashed moments earlier, Marquez lost control, ending his session in the gravel and gifting Bagnaia the unexpected top spot.
This development means Marquez will start from P2 - a solid position, albeit not the front. Fabio Quartararo, showcasing renewed Yamaha performance, secures the third spot on the front row.
In the chase behind, Marco Bezzecchi held on to P4 despite a crash at Turn 1, while Joan Mir impressed with a season-best P5. Fernandez’s P6 also marks his strongest Saturday performance of the year.
Reigning World Champion Jorge Martin, making his first qualifying appearance since April, could only achieve 12th position, while Alex Marquez, second in the standings, lines up in P8, providing brother Marc an opportunity to extend his championship lead.
With Bagnaia returning to peak form and Marquez demonstrating relentless speed, Sunday’s race promises an intense battle between the factory Ducati teammates at the front of the pack.