FERNANDEZ TOPS MISANO Q1 AS BAGNAIA MISSES Q2 AND RAZGATLIOGLU STARTS LAST

Misano’s MotoGP qualifying format again put several riders through Q1, where only the two fastest advanced to Q2. That meant a number of big names—including all four Yamaha riders (Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu)—had to fight for a place in the final session. The route also included Pecco Bagnaia, who entered the weekend with a Friday best that left him 19th, a position he had only rarely experienced in his MotoGP career.

In the 15-minute Q1, Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) set the first meaningful benchmark with a 1:30.535. His time held up in the second run, and he remained the rider to beat. Compared with Friday’s pace—Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) had been quickest in 1:30.144—Fernandez’s lap was slower, but it proved sufficient for advancement.

The battle for the second Q2 spot came down to the closing seconds. Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati) surged to P2 and, in doing so, knocked Quartararo out of Q2. Bagnaia, meanwhile, improved from Friday but still missed the cut, ending up fourth and extending the “home race” disappointment that now includes a 14th-place start. Speedweek reports that Bagnaia effectively “destroyed” two laps in his second attempt due to riding errors, leaving the Ducati garage incredulous.

For Razgatlioglu, the struggle continued. He finished last in Q1, 1.729 seconds behind, and will start from the final grid slot. The Turkish rider said he cannot translate Michelin’s soft rear tyre into the necessary speed.