Watch Emilia Romagna MotoGP — Qualifying Free.

What's at Stake

The battle for pole position at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is critical for shaping the championship narrative as the MotoGP season enters its crucial final stretch. Securing a front-row start on this tight, technical track is vital for Sunday's race, where overtaking can be notoriously difficult. Riders will push their machinery to the absolute limit in Q1 and Q2 to claim the ultimate tactical advantage and crucial momentum in the title race.

Form Guide

Heading into this weekend, the grid is highly competitive with several riders showing exceptional pace on Italian soil. Ducati continues to set the benchmark for outright speed and qualifying performance, but rival manufacturers have shown significant steps forward in single-lap pace. Recent rounds have proven that track temperatures and rapidly evolving grip levels at Misano will play a decisive role in who can string together the perfect lap when it matters most.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The Italian specialist considers Misano his home turf and consistently finds the extra tenths of a second needed to secure front-row starts here.
• Jorge Martin — Known as one of the most explosive qualifiers on the grid, his aggressive style and late-braking capability make him a constant threat for pole position.
• Marc Marquez — A master of adapting to changing track conditions, his ability to exploit the limit of front-end grip could shake up the established order in Q2.

Prediction

Expect a fierce shootout where the lap record at Misano will likely be threatened under ideal qualifying conditions. Francesco Bagnaia is predicted to edge out Jorge Martin for pole position, utilizing his refined setup and intimate knowledge of the circuit's flow. The final front-row spot will likely be claimed by a late, flying effort from Marc Marquez as the track grip peaks in the closing minutes of Q2.