Watch Indonesian MotoGP — Qualifying Free.

What's at Stake

Securing a front-row start at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit is critical, as the track's high-speed flowing corners and dusty offline conditions make overtaking during the races exceptionally difficult. With the MotoGP World Championship entering its crucial flyaway phase, a pole position here provides a massive psychological and tactical advantage for the title contenders. Mastering this qualifying session is essential for riders looking to control the pace from the front and avoid the chaotic midfield battles on the opening lap.

Form Guide

Heading into the Indonesian round, the battle at the front of the grid has been dominated by the factory Ducati riders and their satellite counterparts, who have consistently locked out the top spots in recent qualifying sessions. However, Aprilia and KTM have historically shown strong single-lap pace on low-grip surfaces, making them dangerous contenders as the track rubber-ins during the practice sessions. Momentum will favor those who can quickly adapt their electronics and tire management to the intense tropical heat of Lombok.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The Italian specialist is renowned for his precision in late-braking zones and will look to exploit the Ducati's stability to claim the top spot.
• Jorge Martín — A master of the explosive, single-lap qualifying format, his aggressive riding style is perfectly suited for extracting maximum grip from the soft rear tire.
• Enea Bastianini — Known for his incredible corner-entry speed, he remains a constant threat to spoil the front-row plans of the championship leaders.

Prediction

Jorge Martín is predicted to secure pole position at Mandalika, utilizing his unmatched ability to hook up a perfect single lap under high-pressure conditions. The Ducati Desmosedici's superior drive grip out of the final corner should give him the fractional advantage needed to edge out Francesco Bagnaia. Expect a razor-thin margin of less than a tenth of a second to decide the front row of the grid.