Alex Marquez experienced a dramatic qualifying 1 session at Brno on Friday, during a wet MotoGP practice, even riding a scooter amidst the chaos. The Gresini Ducati rider, currently second in the MotoGP standings behind the Marquez brothers, crashed late in the afternoon session but still managed to secure a spot in the top 10 for the second qualifying round.
As the session ended, Marquez quickly headed back to the paddock on a scooter, darting through the garage to reach his spare Desmosedici bike. For the first time that day, he switched to medium rear wet tires and on his final lap, improved his position from 12th to 9th on the timesheet.
Marquez commented on the crash saying it was without serious consequences but admitted he took a risk, especially when trying to get back to the pits on the scooter. He recounted how, after struggling to pass a spill area near Turn 3 on the scooter, he had to jump off and run to his bike, which a team member started up for him, though he quickly sped away to make the time attack.
He described the session as a race against the clock, unsure if he’d have enough time to make it to Q2, but successfully advancing nonetheless. Marquez also noted his optimism for better weather forecasted for the weekend after struggles in the wet, emphasizing the importance of avoiding Q1 given the many fast riders.
Among those stuck in Qualifying 1 were Factory Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia, Marquez’s nearest rival, who came in 13th, and Marquez’s rookie teammate Fermin Aldeguer, who finished 12th. Aldeguer mentioned a small issue near the session’s end that kept him from progressing to Q2 but remains positive about gaining experience. Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46 also made waves in Q1, creating notable moments with his Desmosedici.
This marked MotoGP’s return to Brno since 2020, when Alex finished 15th as a rookie riding for Repsol Honda.
Fan Take: This thrilling qualifying session highlights the intense competition and unpredictability MotoGP fans love, especially with conditions testing rider skill and strategy. Marquez’s resilience and the rising talent of newcomers signal an exciting future for the sport, keeping fans eagerly anticipating every race weekend.
