What is Q2 in MotoGP?

Q2 (Qualifying 2) is the main 15-minute session where the fastest 12 riders compete to set the top 12 grid positions for the race, including pole position.

Why was Friday's practice so important?

The lap times from Friday's second practice session decide which ten riders automatically advance to Q2, giving them a significant advantage for securing a good starting spot.

Who was fastest in practice at Misano?

Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest lap time during Friday's crucial practice session at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Did the championship leader make it into Q2?

Yes, current championship leader Jorge Martin finished inside the top ten during Friday practice, securing his direct entry into Q2.

Bezzecchi Leads as Riders Secure Direct Q2 Spots at San Marino Grand Prix

Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest time in Friday practice at Misano, leading a group of ten riders who secured a direct spot in Qualifying 2.

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Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi made a perfect start to his home race weekend, setting the fastest time in Friday’s crucial session for the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano.

More importantly, his blistering pace secured him a guaranteed spot in Saturday’s main session. He was joined by nine other riders, including championship leader Jorge Martin and the experienced Marc Marquez, who all booked their direct tickets to the fight for .

What happened in Friday’s practice?

In the all-important afternoon session, Marco Bezzecchi was in dominant form, putting his bike at the top of the timesheets with a lap that was incredibly close to the circuit’s all-time record. Setting such a fast time shows he has excellent pace and is a serious contender for the weekend.

Behind him, the battle was fierce. Big names like Marc Marquez and Maverick Viñales also showed impressive speed to finish near the top. Crucially for the championship story, current leader Jorge Martin also put in a strong performance to safely place himself inside the top ten.

Why is this practice session so important?

For a beginner, it might seem strange that a Friday practice session causes so much excitement. The reason is that in MotoGP, it’s much more than just practice. The combined results from this one session determine who gets to skip a high-pressure preliminary qualifying round.

The ten fastest riders on Friday go directly into a session called Qualifying 2 (or Q2). This is the main, 15-minute shootout that decides the top 12 starting positions for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Getting straight into Q2 is a huge advantage, allowing riders and teams to focus on achieving the perfect lap for a front-row start.

A MotoGP pit board showing lap time data to a rider during a practice session. — AI-generated illustration

Anyone outside that top ten has to go into Qualifying 1 (Q1) first. In Q1, all the remaining riders fight for just two remaining spots in Q2. It’s a risky, all-or-nothing session where a small mistake can leave a top rider starting far down the grid. By finishing in the top ten on Friday, Bezzecchi and the others have avoided that stressful scenario.

Who else secured a spot in Q2?

The ten riders breathing a sigh of relief are a mix of championship contenders and in-form challengers. Alongside Bezzecchi, Martin, and Marquez, riders like Maverick Viñales, Aleix Espargaró, and Brad Binder also proved they have the pace to fight at the front.

This group represents several different manufacturers, highlighting how competitive the field is. Securing a direct Q2 spot is the first major objective of any race weekend, and these ten riders have successfully ticked that box.

A team of MotoGP mechanics working on a race bike inside the pit garage. — AI-generated illustration

What does this mean for the championship?

For championship leader Jorge Martin, a safe passage into Q2 is exactly the kind of solid, professional start he needs. It minimises risk and allows him to concentrate on battling for pole position on Saturday, rather than worrying about escaping Q1.

Every point is vital in the title fight, and a good starting position is key to a big points haul on Sunday. By avoiding the Q1 trap, Martin has kept the pressure on his rivals and ensured he is in the best possible position to control his own destiny this weekend.

What can we expect on Saturday?

Saturday is all about raw, one-lap speed. The day’s action will build towards the two crucial qualifying sessions. First, we will see the drama of Q1 as riders who missed out on Friday fight for the final two places in the main event.

Then, the main show begins: Qualifying 2. The ten riders from Friday’s practice, plus the two fastest from Q1, will have just 15 minutes to set their fastest possible lap. The rider who comes out on top will start from pole position, giving them the huge advantage of a clear track into the first corner of the race.

The empty starting grid at the Misano circuit awaits the start of the MotoGP qualifying session. — AI-generated illustration

Quick Takeaways

Marco Bezzecchi was the fastest rider in Friday’s practice session at the Misano circuit.
The top ten riders from this session, including Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, advance directly to the main qualifying shootout (Q2).
This is a big advantage, as it means they avoid the risky preliminary session (Q1) on Saturday.
Qualifying on Saturday will determine the final starting grid for the San Marino Grand Prix.