Di Giannantonio Claims Pole at Brazilian MotoGP in Goiania

Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed pole position for the VR46 Ducati team at the 2026 MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix in Goiania on Saturday, securing the top spot in a qualifying session plagued by crashes and lingering damp patches on the track. The Italian's lap time of 1 minute, 17.410 seconds edged out Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia by 0.070 seconds, with world champion Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo taking third place just 0.081 seconds off the pace. The event marks MotoGP's return to Brazil after a 34-year absence, with the Goiania circuit presenting unfamiliar challenges to the field.

Di Giannantonio advanced from the first phase of qualifying (Q1) after a difficult Friday practice hampered by heavy rain. He set his fastest time early in Q2 before crashing at Turn 4, but the lap held up to earn him his second career pole and the first for the VR46 team this season. Bezzecchi, who also progressed through Q1 following a 20th-place finish in Friday's timed practice, recovered from a crash in the morning's final practice to join him on the front row. Marquez, improving in fitness after recent setbacks, crashed late in Q2 at the same problematic corner but had already posted a competitive...