Bezzecchi Sets Record and Starts from Pole in Mandalika MotoGP

Image: Scherazade X @ScherazadeMS Sensational pole during qualifying, and awesome Sprint comeback from Marco Bezzecchi in Mandalika!

Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies

Marco Bezzecchi impressed on Saturday (October 4) at the Indonesian Grand Prix in MotoGP, setting a new track record of 1:28.832 and securing his third pole position of the season. The Aprilia Racing rider dominated the day in Lombok, leading the starting grid for the race ahead of rookie Fermín Aldeguer from BK8 Gresini Racing, and Raúl Fernández from Trackhouse MotoGP Team.

Bezzecchi’s pole position comes after a dramatic Q1 session, which had high expectations as both Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), the newly crowned world champion, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) needed to fight for a spot in the Q2 session. Márquez had a steady performance and advanced, ultimately qualifying in ninth position, while Bagnaia failed to progress past Q1, ending up in 16th place.

In Q2, Bezzecchi wasted no time in showcasing his speed. After dominating both Friday’s and Saturday morning’s practice sessions, Bezzecchi set an extremely fast pace from the start of Q2. While Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) suffered a heavy crash at Turn 15, he was unharmed and returned to the track with his second bike. Meanwhile, Márquez struggled to make his way into the top positions, eventually finishing 10th after failing to improve in the final minutes of qualifying.

With less than three minutes remaining in Q2, Bezzecchi unleashed his best lap, breaking the track record and becoming the first rider to go under the 1:29 barrier at Mandalika, securing pole position. Alex Rins (Yamaha) also showed impressive pace, reaching third place before crashing on his final lap. Despite the fall, Rins secured his best grid position since the 2023 Americas GP, where he claimed victory.

The first row for the race will be composed of Bezzecchi (pole), Aldeguer (2nd), and Fernández (3rd). The second row will include Rins (4th), Pedro Acosta (5th, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and Luca Marini (6th, Honda HRC Castrol). This shows the incredible diversity of manufacturers, with Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, and KTM all represented in the top six positions.

Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing) qualified in 7th despite crashing at the end of the session, and Quartararo will start in 8th. Meanwhile, Marc Márquez (Ducati) had his worst qualifying result of the year, finishing in 9th place.

The top 10 is rounded out by Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha), who returns to the first page of the grid for the first time since 2024, showcasing Yamaha’s strong performance with three of its bikes in the top 10. Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46) and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) complete the top 12.

Bezzecchi expressed his happiness after the session, saying, “I’m really happy with the pace and how we’ve been able to set up the bike. To go under 1:28 was amazing,” the Italian rider said.

With a thrilling race ahead, the Indonesian GP promises to be full of excitement on Sunday (October 5), with Bezzecchi aiming for another victory, Aldeguer and Fernández hoping to surprise, and Marc Márquez looking to climb through the grid and defend his newly won world title.

The race will take place at the Mandalika Circuit, marking another unpredictable chapter in the 2025 MotoGP season.

Results of the Indonesian GP MotoGP Qualifying

1. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) – 1:28.832

2. Fermín Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing)

3. Raúl Fernández (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)

4. Alex Rins (Yamaha)

5. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

6. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol)

7. Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing)

8. Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha)

9. Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team)

10. Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha)

11. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46)

12. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)