Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker took the MotoAmerica Talent Cup pole at Circuit of The Americas on Saturday. Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane was second, followed by Team Hammer’s Jake Paige, Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez King and Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira.
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Senna Agius was the man to beat during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. The Australian rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex, Agius navigated the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) course in 1:33.718, breaking his own’s 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 1:34.142 he set yesterday during the practice session.
Daniel Holgado was second-best with a 1:33.911 on his CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team Kalex.
Angel Piqueras claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:33.982 on his QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI Kalex.
Row-two qualifiers included Italtrans Racing’s Daniel Muñoz (1:34.016), Agius’ teammate Manuel Gonzalez (1:34.084) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer (1:34.099).
American Joe Roberts finished the qualifying session 13th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex with a time of 1:34.350.
MOTO2 QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Agius storms to stunning Misano pole as drama unfolds for Alonso. The Australian clinches a second Saturday P1 of the season, the championship top two are P5 and P8, while the Colombian crashes with Ferrandez to face a P17 start.
A 1:33.718 around Misano on a Moto2 bike? A ridiculously impressive lap from Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) sees the Australian clinch a second pole position of the season, his first since the season opener in Thailand, and it was by a very healthy margin too. Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team) was on provisional pole in the closing stages before Agius beat the #96’s time by 0.193s, as rookie Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI) earns a front-row start at the scene of his debut Grand Prix victory in 2024 in a Q2 session that threw up some drama.
The main slice of said drama was seen when David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team) was unable to avoid Alberto Ferrandez’s (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) stricken Boscoscuro-Triumph machine after the rookie highsided on the exit of Turn 10 in the closing stages, meaning both riders didn’t set a lap time in Q2 after Alonso had his first effort chalked off. It means the Colombian will start from P17.
Further up the grid, Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) came through Q1 to earn a P4 starting slot, one spot ahead of World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). Not the front row ManuGas was after, but far from a disaster.
Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) looks in good shape to challenge for a second podium of the season from P6, with Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) enjoying a fairly fruitful weekend on home soil. The Italian starts P7, one place ahead of the second in the championship, Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2).
The Spaniard will look to inflict more damage to Gonzalez’s 32.5-point championship lead on Sunday, with one row splitting the top two before the lights go out at 12:15 on Sunday.
David Almansa earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard topped the 26-rider field with a lap time of 1:40.612.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte was the best of the rest with a 1:40.829, and Joel Kelso claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:41.009 on his GRYD Racing Honda.
Row-two qualifiers included Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone (1:41.111), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar’s Maximo Quiles (1:41.127) and Level Up MTA’s Matteo Bertelle (1:41.384).
MOTO3 QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Almansa amazes Misano with dominant sixth pole of 2026. The Spaniard was untouchable in Q2, repeatedly improving at the front to beat Uriarte by 0.217s as Kelso grabbed the final front-row spot.
Talk about dominance! David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) simply had too much for the rest in Moto3 qualifying at Misano, firing in a 1:40.612 to seal yet another pole in a season that continues to belong to the #22 on Saturdays.
A busy Q2 got underway at Misano with plenty of riders immediately grouping up in search of a tow. Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) set the early pace before Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Hakim Danish (MT Helmets – MSI) tucked in behind Almansa. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) made the slipstream count to take over at the top, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) quickly putting himself into P2.
That provisional pole position didn’t last long for Perrone. Almansa began piling on the pressure and went fastest, with Uriarte and Perrone taking a tow from the Spaniard and slotting into second and third respectively, while Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) climbed to fourth.
Almansa wasn’t done yet though. Even after a wobble on his fifth lap, the #22 still managed to further turn up the heat, while Uriarte was visibly pushing to the limit on his next attack but couldn’t find an answer. Almansa lowered the time once again on lap six to put pole further out of reach, although there was a bit of a scare when he outbraked himself at Quercia and took the scenic route through the run-off.
With the chequered flag approaching, Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing) produced the late move that mattered to snatch P3, while Uriarte mistimed his final flying lap and was left watching the timing screens to see whether his front-row place would survive. It did. Perrone was pushed back to fourth ahead of Quiles and Matteo Bertelle (Level Up – MTA), with O’Gorman, Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the first three rows.
Nobody could threaten Almansa in the closing seconds, though, leaving the Championship contender to celebrate pole number six of a remarkable 2026 campaign. Six poles are in the bag, can Almansa turn his latest into podium number six on Sunday in San Marino?
Marco Bezzecchi earned pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying on Saturday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26, the home hero turned a lap time of 1:29.982. Not only was that good enough to lead the 21-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse Francesco Bagnaia’s 2024 All-Time Lap Record of 1:30.031.
Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:30.180 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26, and Fermin Aldeguer claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:30.350 on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Row-two qualifiers included Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:30.386), Aprilia Racing’s Jorge Martín (1:30.569) and HRC Honda’s Luca Marini (1:30.609).
MOTOGP QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Showstopper: Bezzecchi goes sub 90 seconds at Misano to beat Marquez to pole. Lap record set, gauntlet thrown down – the #72 heads the #93 at Misano as the duel rolls on into Saturday.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) is the proud owner of a shiny new lap record at Misano, taking pole in some style with the first ever 1:29 laptime of the track. His 1:29.982 puts him just under two tenths clear of key rival Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), with Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) completing the front row – up from Q1.
Championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), meanwhile, starts fifth.
Q1
Q1 had a few big hitters looking to make their way through after a tense top ten time attack on Friday afternoon – not least Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). But the Italian had a tough one of it and couldn’t make a mark in the top two.
Instead, Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) took the reins. After a stunning save in the first half of the session the Spaniard put it together to go top and go through, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) staking a claim on second until the final stages – ultimately deposed by Aldeguer as he joined Fernandez in Q2.
Q2
The final shootout got underway with a huge wobble for Marc Marquez on his first flyer, no time set as he exceeded track limits, and then there was a low drama crash for Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) that put him on the back foot.
On second time round, Marc Marquez took over on top – but the red sectors were really lighting up the timing screens. The laps started to come in as Diggia took over on top before an absolute showstopper from Bezzecchi – the first ever sub 90-second lap of Misano.
Back into pitlane to reload, quiet fell before the noise rose once again. The benchmark was set.
Marc Marquez was first to take aim at Bezzechi’s new lap record. He was in touch but not ahead until Turn 10, but there he bailed out of it. Next time round he was in touch again, within a tenth, but in the final sector lost two more. There was one more shot at it, but it wasn’t there.
More yellow flags then came out for another – again low drama – crash for Alex Marquez, and that was that. No one had an answer for Bezzecchi and his mid-session stunner makes it a new lap record pole on home turf.
THE GRID
As Bez sets the benchmark, Marc Marquez is forced to settle for second ahead of an impressive front row for Aldeguer up from Q1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) heading Row 2. Championship leader Martin takes P5 as he looks to get back on the podium, with an impressive performance from Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) making him top Honda in sixth on his home turf.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) fronts Row 3 ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and two-time crasher Alex Marquez look for more from P9.
Fernandez completes the top ten, with Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) P11 and replacement rider Pol Espargaro – in the words of team manager Nico Goyon, “the world’s fastest TV presenter” – starting P12 for Red Bull KTM Tech3. Then come Quartararo and Bagnaia.
Come back for more as the Tissot Sprint goes green at 15:00 (UTC +1) – with the Bezzecchi-Marquez rematch ready to light up Misano.
Texas Heat Turns Up The Pressure As MotoAmerica Opens COTA Weekend. Petersen Sets Pace In Quad Lock Superbike, Binder On Top In Supersport, New Talent Cup And Hooligan Lap Records And Smith Takes Provisional Bagger Pole.
AUSTIN, TX (Sep. 11, 2026) – The Texas heat announced itself immediately as the MotoAmerica paddock rolled into Circuit Of The Americas for the penultimate round of the 2026 season. Friday at COTA became as much a test of endurance as outright speed. Four championship battles – Quad Lock Superbike, Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers and Talent Cup – remain unsettled with just two rounds to go, while Mission Super Hooligan National Championship riders arrived in Texas for the winner-take-all finale of their season. Five classes set an early tone for a weekend with Free Practice and Qualifying sessions that could shake up the championship picture in a hurry.
Quad Lock Superbike riders opened their COTA weekend with a 40-minute Free Practice session in the morning before returning to the sweltering afternoon heat for Timed Practice. Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong set the pace in the morning with a 2:08.631, just ahead of OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly (+0.294 seconds) and Wrench Motorcycles’ Cameron Petersen (+0.380 seconds). Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law’s Cameron Beaubier and Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz rounded out the top five.
When Timed Practice wrapped up, the order at the front had been rewritten. Petersen carved a massive 1.4 seconds off his morning pace, stopping the clock at a 2:07.230 on just the sixth lap of the session. The South African posted the highest trap speed of any rider at the MotoAmerica/Dunlop Tire Test back in March, and Friday was proof that his straight-line speed hasn’t gone anywhere.
Right on his heels was Beaubier, who built on his momentum from the morning by trimming another second off his own time to finish just over a second behind Petersen (2:08.271). For a rider who spent nearly four months away from the paddock recovering from a shoulder injury suffered at Road America, the six-time and defending Superbike champion looked every bit like he’d never left.
Kelly capped off the top three with a 2:08.397, keeping himself well within striking distance ahead of tomorrow’s Final Qualifying. Fong, fastest in the morning, slipped to fourth in the afternoon session, with Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen rounding out the top five.
Fong’s teammate JD Beach was sixth fastest, ahead of Strack Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz in seventh and OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe in eighth. Beaubier’s teammate Benjamin Smith finished the session in ninth, while M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch rounded out the top 10 on day one.
In Superbike Cup, Real Steel Honda’s Andrew Lee set the fastest time of the day at 2:12.159, a fitting start to a weekend where he could wrap up the title one round early. Lee carries a commanding 102-point lead into COTA and needs only to leave Saturday’s Race 1 with more than a 100-point cushion to lock down the 2026 Superbike Cup crown in Texas.
Right behind him was Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Simon Reid, just 0.319 seconds off the pace in his MotoAmerica Superbike debut. The Banbridge, Northern Ireland native, who competes in the UK’s Pirelli National Superstock Championship, wasted no time showing he belongs on American soil. Danilo Lewis (Team Brazil) rounded out the top three, 0.558 seconds behind Lee.
Supersport’s Qualifying 1 delivered a nail-biter, with the top five separated by barely a second. Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati’s Darryn Binder set the fastest time of the session at 2:13.506, but his closest pursuer wasn’t far behind – Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila’s Josh Herrin, the South African’s primary championship rival, trailed by just 0.069 seconds.
Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight’s Kayla Yaakov was the last rider to dip into the 2:13’s, landing in third just three-tenths behind Binder. BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes followed in fourth, eight-tenths off the pace, with Strack Racing’s Blake Davis fifth. Liberty St. Yamaha’s Harrison Voight rounded out the provisional second row in his MotoAmerica Supersport debut.
With Binder holding a 35-point championship cushion over Herrin coming into the weekend, and COTA the only track on the calendar where the South African already has multiple races of experience, Friday’s razor-thin margin only raises the stakes heading into Saturday’s Q2.
Baggers opened their Texas weekend with a 30-minute Free Practice session topped by Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman, who beat points leader Hayden Gillim (J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian) and Gillim’s teammate Troy Herfoss to the fastest lap. All three riders were the only ones to dip into the 2:14s.
Qualifying 1 shuffled the order at the front, as Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Bradley Smith seized the top spot with a 2:13.925. He didn’t have much room to breathe – Gillim was the only other rider to match his 2:13 pace, trailing by just 0.014 seconds. Wyman was third, 0.151 seconds off the pace, just ahead of Herfoss in fourth. Gillim and Herfoss’ teammate Rocco Landers rounded out the top five, 0.576 seconds back.
Smith’s fast lap comes with Gillim carrying a 23-point championship lead into the weekend, a cushion the Kentucky native has built as much on race craft as outright speed. With only two rounds remaining, every tenth gained or lost in Texas could swing the title fight.
Talent Cup made its second visit of the season to COTA, and Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker picked up right where the class left off in March. Gouker topped morning practice ahead of Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane in second, Team Hammer’s Jake Paige third, Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez fourth fastest and points leader Kensei Matsudaira (Team Roberts) fifth.
Gouker backed it up in Qualifying 1, blitzing to a new COTA lap record of 2:26.166 – the only rider to crack into the 2:26s and a full second clear of Drane in second. Paige was third fastest, with Sanchez fourth. Matsudaira could only manage fifth after mechanical issues sent him to the pits during the middle of the session, unable to recover the lost track time before the checkered flag.
Gouker’s double win at the most recent round in Virginia already trimmed Matsudaira’s championship lead from 23 points down to just five, and a fast Friday in Texas suggests the North Carolina native has no intention of letting up.
Super Hooligan riders got their first look at the COTA tarmac in Friday morning’s Practice 1, and the pace was tight from the drop of the green flag. BPR Racing Yamaha’s Andy DiBrino, the championship points leader, set the fastest lap at 2:17.070, with teammate Bryce Kornbau right on his rear tire in second at 2:17.445. Saddlemen Race Development’s James Rispoli completed a trio of 2:17s in third, just 0.844 seconds back.
Kornbau flipped the script when it mattered, setting the fastest lap of Qualifying 1 to claim provisional pole ahead of tomorrow’s Q2 with a new lap record time of 2:14.856. The team owner leads DiBrino by three-quarters of a second heading into the final qualifying session of the Hooligan season.
Rodio Racing’s Gus Rodio, third in points, rounded out the provisional front row just over a second behind Kornbau. With DiBrino’s championship lead sitting at just five points over Kornbau and 19 over Rodio, and only 50 points left on the table, all three riders made clear on Friday that they’re here to leave nothing on the table before the season-long battle is decided in Texas.
Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Bradley Smith took the Mission King of The Baggers provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian’s Hayden Gillim was second, followed by Smith’s teammate Kyle Wyman and Gillim’s teammates Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers.
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Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker took the MotoAmerica Talent Cup provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane was second, followed by Team Hammer’s Jake Paige, Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez King and Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira.
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Wrench Motorcycles’ Cameron Petersen was quickest in MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike timed practice at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law’s Cameron Beaubier was second, followed by OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong and Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen.
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Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati’s Darryn Binder nabbed the MotoAmeria Supersport provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila’s Josh Herrin was second, followed by Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight’s Kayla Yaakov, BPR Racing Yamaha’s Joshua Hayes and Strack Racing’s Blake Davis.
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BPR Racing Yamaha’s Bryce Kornbau took the MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Teammate Andy DiBrino was second, followed by Rodio Racing’s Gus Rodio, Saddlemen Race Development’s James Rispoli and TopPro Motorsports/Edge Racing’s Jason Waters.
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Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker took the MotoAmerica Talent Cup pole at Circuit of The Americas on Saturday. Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane was second, followed by Team Hammer’s Jake Paige, Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez King and Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira.
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Senna Agius was the man to beat during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. The Australian rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex, Agius navigated the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) course in 1:33.718, breaking his own’s 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 1:34.142 he set yesterday during the practice session.
Daniel Holgado was second-best with a 1:33.911 on his CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team Kalex.
Angel Piqueras claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:33.982 on his QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI Kalex.
Row-two qualifiers included Italtrans Racing’s Daniel Muñoz (1:34.016), Agius’ teammate Manuel Gonzalez (1:34.084) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Collin Veijer (1:34.099).
American Joe Roberts finished the qualifying session 13th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex with a time of 1:34.350.
MOTO2 QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Agius storms to stunning Misano pole as drama unfolds for Alonso. The Australian clinches a second Saturday P1 of the season, the championship top two are P5 and P8, while the Colombian crashes with Ferrandez to face a P17 start.
A 1:33.718 around Misano on a Moto2 bike? A ridiculously impressive lap from Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) sees the Australian clinch a second pole position of the season, his first since the season opener in Thailand, and it was by a very healthy margin too. Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team) was on provisional pole in the closing stages before Agius beat the #96’s time by 0.193s, as rookie Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI) earns a front-row start at the scene of his debut Grand Prix victory in 2024 in a Q2 session that threw up some drama.
The main slice of said drama was seen when David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team) was unable to avoid Alberto Ferrandez’s (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) stricken Boscoscuro-Triumph machine after the rookie highsided on the exit of Turn 10 in the closing stages, meaning both riders didn’t set a lap time in Q2 after Alonso had his first effort chalked off. It means the Colombian will start from P17.
Further up the grid, Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) came through Q1 to earn a P4 starting slot, one spot ahead of World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). Not the front row ManuGas was after, but far from a disaster.
Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) looks in good shape to challenge for a second podium of the season from P6, with Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) enjoying a fairly fruitful weekend on home soil. The Italian starts P7, one place ahead of the second in the championship, Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2).
The Spaniard will look to inflict more damage to Gonzalez’s 32.5-point championship lead on Sunday, with one row splitting the top two before the lights go out at 12:15 on Sunday.
David Almansa earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard topped the 26-rider field with a lap time of 1:40.612.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte was the best of the rest with a 1:40.829, and Joel Kelso claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:41.009 on his GRYD Racing Honda.
Row-two qualifiers included Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone (1:41.111), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar’s Maximo Quiles (1:41.127) and Level Up MTA’s Matteo Bertelle (1:41.384).
MOTO3 QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Almansa amazes Misano with dominant sixth pole of 2026. The Spaniard was untouchable in Q2, repeatedly improving at the front to beat Uriarte by 0.217s as Kelso grabbed the final front-row spot.
Talk about dominance! David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) simply had too much for the rest in Moto3 qualifying at Misano, firing in a 1:40.612 to seal yet another pole in a season that continues to belong to the #22 on Saturdays.
A busy Q2 got underway at Misano with plenty of riders immediately grouping up in search of a tow. Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) set the early pace before Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Hakim Danish (MT Helmets – MSI) tucked in behind Almansa. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) made the slipstream count to take over at the top, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) quickly putting himself into P2.
That provisional pole position didn’t last long for Perrone. Almansa began piling on the pressure and went fastest, with Uriarte and Perrone taking a tow from the Spaniard and slotting into second and third respectively, while Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) climbed to fourth.
Almansa wasn’t done yet though. Even after a wobble on his fifth lap, the #22 still managed to further turn up the heat, while Uriarte was visibly pushing to the limit on his next attack but couldn’t find an answer. Almansa lowered the time once again on lap six to put pole further out of reach, although there was a bit of a scare when he outbraked himself at Quercia and took the scenic route through the run-off.
With the chequered flag approaching, Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing) produced the late move that mattered to snatch P3, while Uriarte mistimed his final flying lap and was left watching the timing screens to see whether his front-row place would survive. It did. Perrone was pushed back to fourth ahead of Quiles and Matteo Bertelle (Level Up – MTA), with O’Gorman, Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the first three rows.
Nobody could threaten Almansa in the closing seconds, though, leaving the Championship contender to celebrate pole number six of a remarkable 2026 campaign. Six poles are in the bag, can Almansa turn his latest into podium number six on Sunday in San Marino?
Marco Bezzecchi earned pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying on Saturday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26, the home hero turned a lap time of 1:29.982. Not only was that good enough to lead the 21-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse Francesco Bagnaia’s 2024 All-Time Lap Record of 1:30.031.
Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:30.180 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26, and Fermin Aldeguer claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:30.350 on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Row-two qualifiers included Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:30.386), Aprilia Racing’s Jorge Martín (1:30.569) and HRC Honda’s Luca Marini (1:30.609).
MOTOGP QP
More, from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Showstopper: Bezzecchi goes sub 90 seconds at Misano to beat Marquez to pole. Lap record set, gauntlet thrown down – the #72 heads the #93 at Misano as the duel rolls on into Saturday.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) is the proud owner of a shiny new lap record at Misano, taking pole in some style with the first ever 1:29 laptime of the track. His 1:29.982 puts him just under two tenths clear of key rival Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), with Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) completing the front row – up from Q1.
Championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), meanwhile, starts fifth.
Q1
Q1 had a few big hitters looking to make their way through after a tense top ten time attack on Friday afternoon – not least Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). But the Italian had a tough one of it and couldn’t make a mark in the top two.
Instead, Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) took the reins. After a stunning save in the first half of the session the Spaniard put it together to go top and go through, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) staking a claim on second until the final stages – ultimately deposed by Aldeguer as he joined Fernandez in Q2.
Q2
The final shootout got underway with a huge wobble for Marc Marquez on his first flyer, no time set as he exceeded track limits, and then there was a low drama crash for Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) that put him on the back foot.
On second time round, Marc Marquez took over on top – but the red sectors were really lighting up the timing screens. The laps started to come in as Diggia took over on top before an absolute showstopper from Bezzecchi – the first ever sub 90-second lap of Misano.
Back into pitlane to reload, quiet fell before the noise rose once again. The benchmark was set.
Marc Marquez was first to take aim at Bezzechi’s new lap record. He was in touch but not ahead until Turn 10, but there he bailed out of it. Next time round he was in touch again, within a tenth, but in the final sector lost two more. There was one more shot at it, but it wasn’t there.
More yellow flags then came out for another – again low drama – crash for Alex Marquez, and that was that. No one had an answer for Bezzecchi and his mid-session stunner makes it a new lap record pole on home turf.
THE GRID
As Bez sets the benchmark, Marc Marquez is forced to settle for second ahead of an impressive front row for Aldeguer up from Q1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) heading Row 2. Championship leader Martin takes P5 as he looks to get back on the podium, with an impressive performance from Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) making him top Honda in sixth on his home turf.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) fronts Row 3 ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and two-time crasher Alex Marquez look for more from P9.
Fernandez completes the top ten, with Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) P11 and replacement rider Pol Espargaro – in the words of team manager Nico Goyon, “the world’s fastest TV presenter” – starting P12 for Red Bull KTM Tech3. Then come Quartararo and Bagnaia.
Come back for more as the Tissot Sprint goes green at 15:00 (UTC +1) – with the Bezzecchi-Marquez rematch ready to light up Misano.
Texas Heat Turns Up The Pressure As MotoAmerica Opens COTA Weekend. Petersen Sets Pace In Quad Lock Superbike, Binder On Top In Supersport, New Talent Cup And Hooligan Lap Records And Smith Takes Provisional Bagger Pole.
AUSTIN, TX (Sep. 11, 2026) – The Texas heat announced itself immediately as the MotoAmerica paddock rolled into Circuit Of The Americas for the penultimate round of the 2026 season. Friday at COTA became as much a test of endurance as outright speed. Four championship battles – Quad Lock Superbike, Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers and Talent Cup – remain unsettled with just two rounds to go, while Mission Super Hooligan National Championship riders arrived in Texas for the winner-take-all finale of their season. Five classes set an early tone for a weekend with Free Practice and Qualifying sessions that could shake up the championship picture in a hurry.
Quad Lock Superbike riders opened their COTA weekend with a 40-minute Free Practice session in the morning before returning to the sweltering afternoon heat for Timed Practice. Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong set the pace in the morning with a 2:08.631, just ahead of OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly (+0.294 seconds) and Wrench Motorcycles’ Cameron Petersen (+0.380 seconds). Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law’s Cameron Beaubier and Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz rounded out the top five.
When Timed Practice wrapped up, the order at the front had been rewritten. Petersen carved a massive 1.4 seconds off his morning pace, stopping the clock at a 2:07.230 on just the sixth lap of the session. The South African posted the highest trap speed of any rider at the MotoAmerica/Dunlop Tire Test back in March, and Friday was proof that his straight-line speed hasn’t gone anywhere.
Right on his heels was Beaubier, who built on his momentum from the morning by trimming another second off his own time to finish just over a second behind Petersen (2:08.271). For a rider who spent nearly four months away from the paddock recovering from a shoulder injury suffered at Road America, the six-time and defending Superbike champion looked every bit like he’d never left.
Kelly capped off the top three with a 2:08.397, keeping himself well within striking distance ahead of tomorrow’s Final Qualifying. Fong, fastest in the morning, slipped to fourth in the afternoon session, with Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen rounding out the top five.
Fong’s teammate JD Beach was sixth fastest, ahead of Strack Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz in seventh and OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe in eighth. Beaubier’s teammate Benjamin Smith finished the session in ninth, while M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch rounded out the top 10 on day one.
In Superbike Cup, Real Steel Honda’s Andrew Lee set the fastest time of the day at 2:12.159, a fitting start to a weekend where he could wrap up the title one round early. Lee carries a commanding 102-point lead into COTA and needs only to leave Saturday’s Race 1 with more than a 100-point cushion to lock down the 2026 Superbike Cup crown in Texas.
Right behind him was Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Simon Reid, just 0.319 seconds off the pace in his MotoAmerica Superbike debut. The Banbridge, Northern Ireland native, who competes in the UK’s Pirelli National Superstock Championship, wasted no time showing he belongs on American soil. Danilo Lewis (Team Brazil) rounded out the top three, 0.558 seconds behind Lee.
Supersport’s Qualifying 1 delivered a nail-biter, with the top five separated by barely a second. Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati’s Darryn Binder set the fastest time of the session at 2:13.506, but his closest pursuer wasn’t far behind – Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila’s Josh Herrin, the South African’s primary championship rival, trailed by just 0.069 seconds.
Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight’s Kayla Yaakov was the last rider to dip into the 2:13’s, landing in third just three-tenths behind Binder. BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes followed in fourth, eight-tenths off the pace, with Strack Racing’s Blake Davis fifth. Liberty St. Yamaha’s Harrison Voight rounded out the provisional second row in his MotoAmerica Supersport debut.
With Binder holding a 35-point championship cushion over Herrin coming into the weekend, and COTA the only track on the calendar where the South African already has multiple races of experience, Friday’s razor-thin margin only raises the stakes heading into Saturday’s Q2.
Baggers opened their Texas weekend with a 30-minute Free Practice session topped by Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman, who beat points leader Hayden Gillim (J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian) and Gillim’s teammate Troy Herfoss to the fastest lap. All three riders were the only ones to dip into the 2:14s.
Qualifying 1 shuffled the order at the front, as Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Bradley Smith seized the top spot with a 2:13.925. He didn’t have much room to breathe – Gillim was the only other rider to match his 2:13 pace, trailing by just 0.014 seconds. Wyman was third, 0.151 seconds off the pace, just ahead of Herfoss in fourth. Gillim and Herfoss’ teammate Rocco Landers rounded out the top five, 0.576 seconds back.
Smith’s fast lap comes with Gillim carrying a 23-point championship lead into the weekend, a cushion the Kentucky native has built as much on race craft as outright speed. With only two rounds remaining, every tenth gained or lost in Texas could swing the title fight.
Talent Cup made its second visit of the season to COTA, and Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker picked up right where the class left off in March. Gouker topped morning practice ahead of Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane in second, Team Hammer’s Jake Paige third, Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez fourth fastest and points leader Kensei Matsudaira (Team Roberts) fifth.
Gouker backed it up in Qualifying 1, blitzing to a new COTA lap record of 2:26.166 – the only rider to crack into the 2:26s and a full second clear of Drane in second. Paige was third fastest, with Sanchez fourth. Matsudaira could only manage fifth after mechanical issues sent him to the pits during the middle of the session, unable to recover the lost track time before the checkered flag.
Gouker’s double win at the most recent round in Virginia already trimmed Matsudaira’s championship lead from 23 points down to just five, and a fast Friday in Texas suggests the North Carolina native has no intention of letting up.
Super Hooligan riders got their first look at the COTA tarmac in Friday morning’s Practice 1, and the pace was tight from the drop of the green flag. BPR Racing Yamaha’s Andy DiBrino, the championship points leader, set the fastest lap at 2:17.070, with teammate Bryce Kornbau right on his rear tire in second at 2:17.445. Saddlemen Race Development’s James Rispoli completed a trio of 2:17s in third, just 0.844 seconds back.
Kornbau flipped the script when it mattered, setting the fastest lap of Qualifying 1 to claim provisional pole ahead of tomorrow’s Q2 with a new lap record time of 2:14.856. The team owner leads DiBrino by three-quarters of a second heading into the final qualifying session of the Hooligan season.
Rodio Racing’s Gus Rodio, third in points, rounded out the provisional front row just over a second behind Kornbau. With DiBrino’s championship lead sitting at just five points over Kornbau and 19 over Rodio, and only 50 points left on the table, all three riders made clear on Friday that they’re here to leave nothing on the table before the season-long battle is decided in Texas.
Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Bradley Smith took the Mission King of The Baggers provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian’s Hayden Gillim was second, followed by Smith’s teammate Kyle Wyman and Gillim’s teammates Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers.
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Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker took the MotoAmerica Talent Cup provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane was second, followed by Team Hammer’s Jake Paige, Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez King and Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira.
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Wrench Motorcycles’ Cameron Petersen was quickest in MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike timed practice at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law’s Cameron Beaubier was second, followed by OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong and Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen.
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Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati’s Darryn Binder nabbed the MotoAmeria Supersport provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila’s Josh Herrin was second, followed by Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight’s Kayla Yaakov, BPR Racing Yamaha’s Joshua Hayes and Strack Racing’s Blake Davis.
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BPR Racing Yamaha’s Bryce Kornbau took the MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan provisional pole at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Teammate Andy DiBrino was second, followed by Rodio Racing’s Gus Rodio, Saddlemen Race Development’s James Rispoli and TopPro Motorsports/Edge Racing’s Jason Waters.
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