MotoGP Austin 2026: Di Giannantonio on pole, Bagnaia chases. Grid and Sprint and race times

Record pole position for Di Giannantonio in Austin

Saturday at the 2026 GP of the Americas crowns Fabio Di Giannantonio, author of an extraordinary pole position at the Austin circuit. The rider from the VR46 team posts the fastest time in 2:00.136, setting the new circuit record and confirming himself among the main protagonists of this start to the season.

An impeccable performance, delivered at the decisive moment of Q2, which strengthens the Roman rider’s world title ambitions.

MotoGP Austin 2026: VR46 conquers America with a special livery that tells an identity

Front row in MotoGP: Bezzecchi and Acosta complete the trio

Behind Di Giannantonio will be Marco Bezzecchi, current championship leader, once again solid and competitive. Third position for Pedro Acosta, increasingly strong in the premier class too.

A young, fast and already starring front row in this start to 2026.

Bagnaia fourth, Marquez sixth amid tension and traffic

Francesco Bagnaia finishes in fourth position, limiting the damage after a weekend that started uphill. Alongside him is Joan Mir, author of a convincing qualifying on the Honda.

Marc Marquez’s session was more complicated, only sixth and involved in traffic episodes during the time attack, with possible fallout even after the chequered flag.

MotoGP Austin 2026 starting grid (Top 10)

Fabio Di Giannantonio

Marco Bezzecchi

Pedro Acosta

Francesco Bagnaia

Joan Mir

Marc Marquez

Jorge Martin

Alex Marquez

Luca Marini

Fermin Aldeguer

MotoGP Austin 2026: free practice results, Marquez dominates Practice. Acosta shines in FP1

MotoGP Austin 2026 Sprint Race time

The GP of the Americas Sprint Race is scheduled:

Saturday 28 March 2026

21:00 Italian time

MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 race times on Sunday 29 March

Full Sunday schedule:

Moto3: 19:00

Moto2: 20:15

MotoGP: 22:00

Standings and World Championship scenario after qualifying

Marco Bezzecchi remains the benchmark in the World Championship standings, but Di Giannantonio’s pole relaunches the VR46 rider’s ambitions. Bagnaia is called upon to react, while Marquez seeks answers after a complicated qualifying.

Austin can represent a key moment in the championship battle.

MotoGP Austin Sprint Race: what to expect

Pole position is only the first step. The Sprint Race will award important points and could already redraw the weekend balance.

Di Giannantonio starts as favourite, but Bezzecchi, Bagnaia and Acosta are ready to play for everything. Also watch out for possible comebacks, with Marquez always dangerous in the race.

In the late American afternoon, under the Austin spotlight, MotoGP is ready to offer the first real spectacle of the weekend.