Fabio Di Giannantonio on pole in Austin: "Most adrenaline-pumping lap ever"

Fabio Di Giannantonio on the shields in Austin qualifying Saturday. In fact, the Roman of the VR46 team took pole position, the third of his MotoGP career, bringing Ducati back ahead of everyone. Also beaten the world leader, Marco Bezzecchi, second on his Aprilia. Pedro Acosta’s KTM closes the front row, also recovering Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez fourth and sixth respectively. In between them the rediscovered Honda of Joan Mir, while Luca Marini is good ninth.

The time set in Q2 by Fabio Di Giannantonio (2:00.136) moreover represents the new overall record for the Austin circuit. This is not the only MotoGP track that bears his signature on the fastest lap ever. In fact, the Roman also won that record in 2025 on the Sachsenring, the historic home of the German Grand Prix. All that is missing is the exclamation point of victory, which has been missing from his trophy cabinet since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. The opportunity, after the podium in Goiânia, is propitious.

“I’m delighted, this lap was the most adrenaline-fueled of my life,” Di Giannantonio told ‘Sky Sport’. “I felt good and I was able to push, also thanks to the incredible work the team did between yesterday and today. We made a modification to the bike this morning and I really liked it. It was also very ultile for me to hit pole position. So I dedicate this result just to them, for the crazy work they did.”

More caution on the possible outcome of the Sprint Race. “There will be a great battle and very fast riders like Bezzecchi, Acosta, Bagnaia and even Marquez. I doubt that we will easily make the gap like in Brazil. In fact, I think we will all be there and there will be a good fight,” Di Giannantonio added.

MotoGP, GP of the Americas 2026: the starting grid

1. Fabio Di Giannantonio 2:00.136
Ducati
2. Marco Bezzecchi 2:00.329
Aprilia
3. Pedro Acosta 2:00.485
KTM
4. Francesco Bagnaia 2:00.563
Ducati
5. Joan Mir 2:00.591
Honda
6. Marc Marquez 2:00.637
Ducati
7. Jorge Martin 2:00.696
Aprilia
8. Alex Marquez 2:00.765
Ducati
9. Luca Marini 2:00.891
Honda
10. Fermin Aldeguer 2:01.014
Ducati
11. Ai Ogura 2:01.419
Aprilia
12. Enea Bastianini 2:01.477
KTM