Liv Graham Lewis, daughter of racer Jake Lewis and wife Blair Lewis, was born on November 4th in Kentucky.
Her parents announced her arrival with a social media post that said, in part, “Our November 4 girl, sharing a birthday with her daddy. We are over the moon and so in love with our beautiful girl. Our hearts are fuller than ever.”
Marc Marquez won the red-flagged MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday night at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26 on Michelin control tires, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion won the 10-lap race by 0.862 second.
Marquez will be Champion tomorrow if he wins the Grand Prix and Martin doesn’t score a point.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the runner-up on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Jorge Martin finished third on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26.
Raul Fernandez crossed the finish line fourth on his SuperFile Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.
Johann Zarco got fifth on his Castrol Honda LCR RC213V.
Polesitter Marco Bezzecchi crashed his Aprilia RS-GP26.
Marc Marquez leads the championship with 411 points, 49 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 362 points. Marco Bezzecchi is third with 332 points.
MOTOGP SPRINT RACE
MOTOGPworldstanding
Alex Escrig earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his KLINT Racing Team Forward on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:55.241 to top the field of 27 riders.
Manuel Gonzalez was second-best with a 1:55.367 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.
Daniel Holgado claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:55.474 on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team Kalex.
Row-two qualifiers included SpeedRS Team’s Celestino Vietti (1:55.480), Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer (1:55.579) and Gonzalez’s teammate Senna Agius (1:55.602).
American Joe Roberts finished the qualifying session 20th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex with a time of 1:56.314.
MOTO2QualifyingResults
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Escrig untouchable as Gonzalez wins battle of wits with Guevara. The KLINT Racing Team rider dominates Qatar qualifying, but a clever last-lap move from Gonzalez steals the spotlight in the Championship fight.
Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) was in a league of his own in Qatar, storming to maiden Moto2 pole with a record-breaking 1:55.241. But behind him, Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) pulled off a masterstroke to snatch second, while title rival Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) was left languishing in seventh, with just 3.5 points separating the pair in the Championship.
Escrig laid down the gauntlet with a stunning 1:55.241, ahead of Guevara and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team), while Gonzalez languished in ninth when, with seven minutes remaining, the field went into pit lane before a frantic final shootout. Celestino Vietti (BETA Tools SpeedRS Team) then snatched provisional second, while Escrig came within just 0.009s of improving his own record.
But all eyes were turning to Gonzalez who was tucked in behind Guevara looking to profit from a valuable tow.
The Championship leaders got stuck in traffic behind Xabi Zurutuza (KLINT Racing Team), Gonzalez made his first move at Turn 16, sweeping past Guevara. Crossing the line seventh but that wasn’t good enough. One final flyer. One last chance. Gonzalez dived past Zurutuza and into clear air, leaving Guevara trapped behind the KLINT Racing rider. The Championship leader then fired in barnstorming 1:55.367 to snatch second, while his title rival could only watch his front-row hopes disappear, settling for seventh.
Holgado secured third, just 0.233s off pole, with Vietti pushed back to fourth. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took fifth ahead of Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), while Guevara will lead row three alongside Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Huertas (Italtrans Racing Team).
Escrig celebrates a maiden pole and new Lusail lap record, becoming 2026’s 12th different Moto2 polesitter. But with Gonzalez on the front row, Guevara down in seventh and just 3.5 points between them, Sunday could prove spicy in Doha.
Maximo Quiles earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard topped the 25-rider field with a lap time of 2:02.288.
David Almansa was the best of the rest with a 2:02.443 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM, and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:02.783.
Row-two qualifiers included Uriarte’s teammate Alvaro Carpe (2:02.904), Almansa’s teammate David Muñoz (2:02.968) and Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez (2:02.996).
MOTO3QualifyingResults
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Quiles makes quick work of Qatar Qualifying. The World Champion takes a sixth career pole ahead of Almansa and Uriarte in a mis-timed last lap rush.
Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made it back-to-back Moto3 poles at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, but the real drama came as the clock ticked down in a truly bizarre end to Q2. The World Champion’s 2:02.288 proved untouchable, with David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) just 0.155s adrift and Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the front row after a frantic final flying lap.
The #28 wasted little time stamping his authority on qualifying, setting his pole-worthy lap on just his third lap of Lusail. Almansa was his closest challenger, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Uriarte and David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) completing the provisional top five as riders headed into the pits with six minutes remaining.
Then came a game of waiting. And waiting. And waiting…
Fresh tyres fitted, clock ticking, and a high-stakes game of chicken unfolded in pit lane. Nobody wanted to blink first, but with every second wasted, the chance of one final flyer was slipping away.
Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) finally broke the deadlock, with Quiles and Almansa feigning their exits before eventually heading out with just 2:10 remaining. With lap times around the 2:02 mark, had they left it late to cross the line and start their final flyers?
A huge group of riders arrived at Turn 16 almost side by side, all scrambling to make the line in time. Most succeeded, but Quiles, Almansa and Carpe had left it too late. The chequered flag was already out, and their final opportunities had vanished before they could even begin.
For Quiles, his early benchmark was already looking good enough. Almansa, however, had thrown away a golden chance to attack pole, with Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Team Principal Peter Öttl explaining that the #22 had wanted to head out alone. Instead, he didn’t get a final flying lap at all.
Carpe came off worst in the late-session gamble, losing his front-row spot as Uriarte stormed to third. Danish briefly jumped to fourth before being shuffled back to seventh, while Muñoz and Fernandez climbed to fifth and sixth, leaving Carpe heading row two after a costly miscalculation.
Quiles on pole, Almansa alongside him, Uriarte looking to strike from third and Carpe with a point to prove from fourth. The Championship’s leading quartet are perfectly poised for a Lusail showdown on Sunday!
Marco Bezzecchi claimed pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) track, Bezzecchi turned a 1:50.028. Not only was that good enough to lead the 18-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse Fabio Di Giannantonio’s 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 1:50.406 he set yesterday during the practice session.
Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:50.294 on his Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26, and Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:50.327 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Row-two qualifiers included SuperFile Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez (1:50.457), Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia (1:50.592) and Fernandez’s teammate Ai Ogura (1:50.596).
MOTOGP QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Bezzecchi smashes lap record to deny Marquez, Martin P11. The #72 takes pole as he makes a final stand – with Marquez second and Diggia locking out the front row at Lusail.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) took a lap record pole position for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, setting a new 1:50.028 to pull clear of Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) by more than a quarter of a second. Marquez lines up second as he looks to set up a championship point for Sunday, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completing the front row.
Bezzecchi will be aiming to make his own final stand and cut his 67-point deficit this weekend, but to have a Championship point on Sunday, it’s Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) that Marc Marquez needs to outscore in the Tissot Sprint – by five points. The #89 starts down in P11 after a messier qualifying session – but not one where he was lacking outright speed. Can he make a comeback?
Q1
First, Q1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory) was leading the way with a comfortable margin as they headed out for their second runs, with the #37 a rare sight in the Q1 session and looking to ease through. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) found something in the locker round his next lap though, taking over on top with two minutes left on the clock.
The final train round saw Acosta leading a quartet of riders all looking to improve, and the #37 did but it wasn’t enough to topple Aldeguer from the top. Still, Acosta headed through alongside the #54.
Q2
Much was on the line for Aprilia – and the 2026 championship fight – as the field rolled out of pitlane to begin Q2. Marc Marquez set the a serious benchmark on the first runs, but that didn’t last too long as a stunning lap came in from a key rival: Bezzecchi. The #72 smashed the all-time lap record with a 1:50.065, taking the honours from Friday’s fastest, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
That left Bez at the top, 0.296 ahead of Marc Marquez, with Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in a provisional P3.
With three minutes left on the clock, everyone was back out and Marquez was beginning another fast one. Up through sector 1 by eight hundredths, up through sector 2 by eight hundredths, losing out in sector 3 and then crossing the line two tenths off, that was that for the points leader – no pole, provisional second place, and waiting for the rest to put their final laps in.
For Bezzecchi, it was another lap record. The #72 took a further 0.037 off his best to head Marquez by 0.266, with all eyes on Martin as he looked to improve from P11. It wasn’t to be however, as the #89 encountered Acosta a bit closer than he would have liked round the final sector and couldn’t improve – sitting up angrily as he was left in P11 on the grid.
THE GRID
Up top it’s Bezzecchi, who needs to make big gains to get a foot back in the title fight. Marquez lines up second as he looks to outscore Martin by 30 points and Bezzecchi by eight points this weekend to take the Championship. 2023 Qatar GP winner Diggia, after topping the timesheets on Friday, lines up third.
Fernandez is forced to settle for fourth after a big moment for him ruining his last lap, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) up in fifth. Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) takes P6, completing Row 2.
Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) is next up as he heads Row 3 from Acosta and Aldeguer, with the Q1 graduates in reverse order on that third row. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completes the top ten as Martin faces down a rescue mission from P11, ahead of only Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) after the South African crashed early in the session, rider ok.
The grids are set, the championship fight is hotting up in the desert – and the Tissot Sprint will decide if Marc Marquez has a match point on Sunday. Tune in for that as we go racing under the floodlights in Lusail!
Marco Bezzecchi led MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on spec Michelin tires, the Italian rider turned a lap time of 1:51.717 to lead the 18-rider field.
Raul Fernandez was the best of the rest with a 1:51.684 on his SuperFile Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26 and his teammate, Ai Ogura was third at 1:51.837.
Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin finished the session fourth with a 1:51.983 and Marc Marquez got fifth on his Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26 with a lap time of 1:51.998.
MOTOGP FP2
Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Pirelli-shod LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:56.334 to lead the field of 27 riders.
Izan Guevara was the best of the rest with a 1:56.422 on his BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
Gonzalez’s teammate, Senna Agius was third-fastest with a 1:56.514.
Daniel Holgado got fourth on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team Kalex with a time of 1:56.614 and his teammate David Alonso finished fifth with a lap time of 1:56.648.
American Joe Roberts finished Saturday morning’s practice session 11th with a best time of 1:56.950 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
MOTO2 FP2
Maximo Quiles led Moto3 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday afternoon, at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Quiles used his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM to lap the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) track in 2:03.286 to lead the field of 25 riders.
David Almansa was second-best with a time of 2:03.529 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Hakim Danish, piloting his AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 2:03.626.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte was fourth with a lap time of 2:03.791.
Almansa’s teammate, David Muñoz finished the session fifth with a time of 2:03.872.
MOTO3 FP2
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About Helmet House:
Founded in 1969, Helmet House is a leading U.S. powersports distributor serving dealers nationwide with a portfolio of premium motorcycle and powersports brands. As the exclusive U.S. distributor of SHOEI helmets, Helmet House combines decades of industry experience, a nationwide dealer network, and dedicated distribution capabilities to connect riders with trusted products for every ride.
Contingency From Indian Motorcycle, Drag Specialties, Öhlins And Accossato Racing Push The Class To New Heights.
Irvine, CA (Nov. 6, 2026) — MotoAmerica is upping the stakes for 2027, raising the Mission King Of The Baggers season payouts to $300,000 — a 114 percent increase over 2026 — as the class opens to new manufacturers and heads into a seven-round season beginning with the DAYTONA 200.
The purse pays the top 12 finishers in each of the season’s seven weekends equalling $42,860 per event, and $300,020 across the 2027 season.
The Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge returns for 2027 as well, with the top six qualifiers racing for $5,000, winner take all — the same format as previous years. Making for an additional $35,000 up for grabs across the season.
Indian Motorcycle is adding its own contingency program for 2027, paying up to the top 12 Indian Motorcycle riders in each race, $8,900 per race, $17,800 per event, and $124,600 across the seven-round season:
The top-finishing Indian Motorcycle rider in the 2027 Bagger title chase will also take home a $20,000 championship bonus and a 2027 Indian Challenger, both from Indian Motorcycle.
“We’re really proud to increase the payouts available to the riders in King Of The Baggers,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “With Indian Motorcycle increasing contingency money and creating a new championship bonus, along with a bigger purse, everyone on the grid has something real to race for. That’s what this class has always been about — competition — and we want to reward the riders who put on the show for our fans.”
In addition to these payouts, three valued partners are adding $106,300 in contingency for 2027. Drag Specialties continues its race contingency program with $86,000 in available cash payout for top finishers across all 14 races, its sixth consecutive year as a series sponsor. Öhlins will pay the top three privateers in each race in Öhlins Gold — $250, $150 and $100 respectively — totaling $7,000 across the season, and Accossato Racing by lvl11 pays $500, $300 and $150 to the top three in each race using their bespoke calipers and master cylinders, totaling $13,300 for next year.
All told, the MotoAmerica purse, the Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge, and the contingency programs from Indian Motorcycle, Drag Specialties, Öhlins and Accossato Racing by lvl11 put up to $613,919 on the line for 2027 — the maximum available if every program pays out in full — including a 2027 Indian Challenger (MSRP $27,999) for the top-finishing Indian Motorcycle rider.
Mission King Of The Baggers is part of a MotoAmerica lineup that keeps growing its audience. For the 2026 season, MotoAmerica surpassed 8 million television viewers and 5.5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads and X, with all 103 MotoAmerica races airing on Samsung TV Plus.
For more information on how to watch Mission King Of The Baggers racing, CLICK HERE.
Liv Graham Lewis, daughter of racer Jake Lewis and wife Blair Lewis, was born on November 4th in Kentucky.
Her parents announced her arrival with a social media post that said, in part, “Our November 4 girl, sharing a birthday with her daddy. We are over the moon and so in love with our beautiful girl. Our hearts are fuller than ever.”
Marc Marquez won the red-flagged MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday night at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26 on Michelin control tires, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion won the 10-lap race by 0.862 second.
Marquez will be Champion tomorrow if he wins the Grand Prix and Martin doesn’t score a point.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the runner-up on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Jorge Martin finished third on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26.
Raul Fernandez crossed the finish line fourth on his SuperFile Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26.
Johann Zarco got fifth on his Castrol Honda LCR RC213V.
Polesitter Marco Bezzecchi crashed his Aprilia RS-GP26.
Marc Marquez leads the championship with 411 points, 49 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 362 points. Marco Bezzecchi is third with 332 points.
MOTOGP SPRINT RACE
MOTOGPworldstanding
Alex Escrig earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his KLINT Racing Team Forward on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:55.241 to top the field of 27 riders.
Manuel Gonzalez was second-best with a 1:55.367 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.
Daniel Holgado claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:55.474 on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team Kalex.
Row-two qualifiers included SpeedRS Team’s Celestino Vietti (1:55.480), Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer (1:55.579) and Gonzalez’s teammate Senna Agius (1:55.602).
American Joe Roberts finished the qualifying session 20th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex with a time of 1:56.314.
MOTO2QualifyingResults
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Escrig untouchable as Gonzalez wins battle of wits with Guevara. The KLINT Racing Team rider dominates Qatar qualifying, but a clever last-lap move from Gonzalez steals the spotlight in the Championship fight.
Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) was in a league of his own in Qatar, storming to maiden Moto2 pole with a record-breaking 1:55.241. But behind him, Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) pulled off a masterstroke to snatch second, while title rival Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) was left languishing in seventh, with just 3.5 points separating the pair in the Championship.
Escrig laid down the gauntlet with a stunning 1:55.241, ahead of Guevara and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team), while Gonzalez languished in ninth when, with seven minutes remaining, the field went into pit lane before a frantic final shootout. Celestino Vietti (BETA Tools SpeedRS Team) then snatched provisional second, while Escrig came within just 0.009s of improving his own record.
But all eyes were turning to Gonzalez who was tucked in behind Guevara looking to profit from a valuable tow.
The Championship leaders got stuck in traffic behind Xabi Zurutuza (KLINT Racing Team), Gonzalez made his first move at Turn 16, sweeping past Guevara. Crossing the line seventh but that wasn’t good enough. One final flyer. One last chance. Gonzalez dived past Zurutuza and into clear air, leaving Guevara trapped behind the KLINT Racing rider. The Championship leader then fired in barnstorming 1:55.367 to snatch second, while his title rival could only watch his front-row hopes disappear, settling for seventh.
Holgado secured third, just 0.233s off pole, with Vietti pushed back to fourth. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took fifth ahead of Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), while Guevara will lead row three alongside Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Huertas (Italtrans Racing Team).
Escrig celebrates a maiden pole and new Lusail lap record, becoming 2026’s 12th different Moto2 polesitter. But with Gonzalez on the front row, Guevara down in seventh and just 3.5 points between them, Sunday could prove spicy in Doha.
Maximo Quiles earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard topped the 25-rider field with a lap time of 2:02.288.
David Almansa was the best of the rest with a 2:02.443 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM, and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:02.783.
Row-two qualifiers included Uriarte’s teammate Alvaro Carpe (2:02.904), Almansa’s teammate David Muñoz (2:02.968) and Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez (2:02.996).
MOTO3QualifyingResults
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Quiles makes quick work of Qatar Qualifying. The World Champion takes a sixth career pole ahead of Almansa and Uriarte in a mis-timed last lap rush.
Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made it back-to-back Moto3 poles at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, but the real drama came as the clock ticked down in a truly bizarre end to Q2. The World Champion’s 2:02.288 proved untouchable, with David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) just 0.155s adrift and Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the front row after a frantic final flying lap.
The #28 wasted little time stamping his authority on qualifying, setting his pole-worthy lap on just his third lap of Lusail. Almansa was his closest challenger, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Uriarte and David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) completing the provisional top five as riders headed into the pits with six minutes remaining.
Then came a game of waiting. And waiting. And waiting…
Fresh tyres fitted, clock ticking, and a high-stakes game of chicken unfolded in pit lane. Nobody wanted to blink first, but with every second wasted, the chance of one final flyer was slipping away.
Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) finally broke the deadlock, with Quiles and Almansa feigning their exits before eventually heading out with just 2:10 remaining. With lap times around the 2:02 mark, had they left it late to cross the line and start their final flyers?
A huge group of riders arrived at Turn 16 almost side by side, all scrambling to make the line in time. Most succeeded, but Quiles, Almansa and Carpe had left it too late. The chequered flag was already out, and their final opportunities had vanished before they could even begin.
For Quiles, his early benchmark was already looking good enough. Almansa, however, had thrown away a golden chance to attack pole, with Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Team Principal Peter Öttl explaining that the #22 had wanted to head out alone. Instead, he didn’t get a final flying lap at all.
Carpe came off worst in the late-session gamble, losing his front-row spot as Uriarte stormed to third. Danish briefly jumped to fourth before being shuffled back to seventh, while Muñoz and Fernandez climbed to fifth and sixth, leaving Carpe heading row two after a costly miscalculation.
Quiles on pole, Almansa alongside him, Uriarte looking to strike from third and Carpe with a point to prove from fourth. The Championship’s leading quartet are perfectly poised for a Lusail showdown on Sunday!
Marco Bezzecchi claimed pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) track, Bezzecchi turned a 1:50.028. Not only was that good enough to lead the 18-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse Fabio Di Giannantonio’s 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 1:50.406 he set yesterday during the practice session.
Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:50.294 on his Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26, and Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:50.327 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Row-two qualifiers included SuperFile Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez (1:50.457), Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia (1:50.592) and Fernandez’s teammate Ai Ogura (1:50.596).
MOTOGP QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Bezzecchi smashes lap record to deny Marquez, Martin P11. The #72 takes pole as he makes a final stand – with Marquez second and Diggia locking out the front row at Lusail.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) took a lap record pole position for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, setting a new 1:50.028 to pull clear of Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) by more than a quarter of a second. Marquez lines up second as he looks to set up a championship point for Sunday, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completing the front row.
Bezzecchi will be aiming to make his own final stand and cut his 67-point deficit this weekend, but to have a Championship point on Sunday, it’s Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) that Marc Marquez needs to outscore in the Tissot Sprint – by five points. The #89 starts down in P11 after a messier qualifying session – but not one where he was lacking outright speed. Can he make a comeback?
Q1
First, Q1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory) was leading the way with a comfortable margin as they headed out for their second runs, with the #37 a rare sight in the Q1 session and looking to ease through. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) found something in the locker round his next lap though, taking over on top with two minutes left on the clock.
The final train round saw Acosta leading a quartet of riders all looking to improve, and the #37 did but it wasn’t enough to topple Aldeguer from the top. Still, Acosta headed through alongside the #54.
Q2
Much was on the line for Aprilia – and the 2026 championship fight – as the field rolled out of pitlane to begin Q2. Marc Marquez set the a serious benchmark on the first runs, but that didn’t last too long as a stunning lap came in from a key rival: Bezzecchi. The #72 smashed the all-time lap record with a 1:50.065, taking the honours from Friday’s fastest, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
That left Bez at the top, 0.296 ahead of Marc Marquez, with Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in a provisional P3.
With three minutes left on the clock, everyone was back out and Marquez was beginning another fast one. Up through sector 1 by eight hundredths, up through sector 2 by eight hundredths, losing out in sector 3 and then crossing the line two tenths off, that was that for the points leader – no pole, provisional second place, and waiting for the rest to put their final laps in.
For Bezzecchi, it was another lap record. The #72 took a further 0.037 off his best to head Marquez by 0.266, with all eyes on Martin as he looked to improve from P11. It wasn’t to be however, as the #89 encountered Acosta a bit closer than he would have liked round the final sector and couldn’t improve – sitting up angrily as he was left in P11 on the grid.
THE GRID
Up top it’s Bezzecchi, who needs to make big gains to get a foot back in the title fight. Marquez lines up second as he looks to outscore Martin by 30 points and Bezzecchi by eight points this weekend to take the Championship. 2023 Qatar GP winner Diggia, after topping the timesheets on Friday, lines up third.
Fernandez is forced to settle for fourth after a big moment for him ruining his last lap, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) up in fifth. Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) takes P6, completing Row 2.
Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) is next up as he heads Row 3 from Acosta and Aldeguer, with the Q1 graduates in reverse order on that third row. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completes the top ten as Martin faces down a rescue mission from P11, ahead of only Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) after the South African crashed early in the session, rider ok.
The grids are set, the championship fight is hotting up in the desert – and the Tissot Sprint will decide if Marc Marquez has a match point on Sunday. Tune in for that as we go racing under the floodlights in Lusail!
Marco Bezzecchi led MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on spec Michelin tires, the Italian rider turned a lap time of 1:51.717 to lead the 18-rider field.
Raul Fernandez was the best of the rest with a 1:51.684 on his SuperFile Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP26 and his teammate, Ai Ogura was third at 1:51.837.
Bezzecchi’s teammate, Jorge Martin finished the session fourth with a 1:51.983 and Marc Marquez got fifth on his Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26 with a lap time of 1:51.998.
MOTOGP FP2
Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday afternoon at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Riding his Pirelli-shod LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:56.334 to lead the field of 27 riders.
Izan Guevara was the best of the rest with a 1:56.422 on his BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
Gonzalez’s teammate, Senna Agius was third-fastest with a 1:56.514.
Daniel Holgado got fourth on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team Kalex with a time of 1:56.614 and his teammate David Alonso finished fifth with a lap time of 1:56.648.
American Joe Roberts finished Saturday morning’s practice session 11th with a best time of 1:56.950 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
MOTO2 FP2
Maximo Quiles led Moto3 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday afternoon, at Lusail International Circuit, in Qatar. Quiles used his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM to lap the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) track in 2:03.286 to lead the field of 25 riders.
David Almansa was second-best with a time of 2:03.529 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Hakim Danish, piloting his AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 2:03.626.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte was fourth with a lap time of 2:03.791.
Almansa’s teammate, David Muñoz finished the session fifth with a time of 2:03.872.
MOTO3 FP2
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CWR-F2 SHIELD SYSTEM
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Contingency From Indian Motorcycle, Drag Specialties, Öhlins And Accossato Racing Push The Class To New Heights.
Irvine, CA (Nov. 6, 2026) — MotoAmerica is upping the stakes for 2027, raising the Mission King Of The Baggers season payouts to $300,000 — a 114 percent increase over 2026 — as the class opens to new manufacturers and heads into a seven-round season beginning with the DAYTONA 200.
The purse pays the top 12 finishers in each of the season’s seven weekends equalling $42,860 per event, and $300,020 across the 2027 season.
The Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge returns for 2027 as well, with the top six qualifiers racing for $5,000, winner take all — the same format as previous years. Making for an additional $35,000 up for grabs across the season.
Indian Motorcycle is adding its own contingency program for 2027, paying up to the top 12 Indian Motorcycle riders in each race, $8,900 per race, $17,800 per event, and $124,600 across the seven-round season:
The top-finishing Indian Motorcycle rider in the 2027 Bagger title chase will also take home a $20,000 championship bonus and a 2027 Indian Challenger, both from Indian Motorcycle.
“We’re really proud to increase the payouts available to the riders in King Of The Baggers,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “With Indian Motorcycle increasing contingency money and creating a new championship bonus, along with a bigger purse, everyone on the grid has something real to race for. That’s what this class has always been about — competition — and we want to reward the riders who put on the show for our fans.”
In addition to these payouts, three valued partners are adding $106,300 in contingency for 2027. Drag Specialties continues its race contingency program with $86,000 in available cash payout for top finishers across all 14 races, its sixth consecutive year as a series sponsor. Öhlins will pay the top three privateers in each race in Öhlins Gold — $250, $150 and $100 respectively — totaling $7,000 across the season, and Accossato Racing by lvl11 pays $500, $300 and $150 to the top three in each race using their bespoke calipers and master cylinders, totaling $13,300 for next year.
All told, the MotoAmerica purse, the Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge, and the contingency programs from Indian Motorcycle, Drag Specialties, Öhlins and Accossato Racing by lvl11 put up to $613,919 on the line for 2027 — the maximum available if every program pays out in full — including a 2027 Indian Challenger (MSRP $27,999) for the top-finishing Indian Motorcycle rider.
Mission King Of The Baggers is part of a MotoAmerica lineup that keeps growing its audience. For the 2026 season, MotoAmerica surpassed 8 million television viewers and 5.5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads and X, with all 103 MotoAmerica races airing on Samsung TV Plus.
For more information on how to watch Mission King Of The Baggers racing, CLICK HERE.
