Marquez eyes Qatar MotoGP title as Martin and Bezzecchi lead chase

Marc Marquez could move closer to the 2026 MotoGP title at the Qatar Grand Prix, depending on his result in Saturday's sprint at Lusail. The Ducati rider needs to outscore Jorge Martin by 30 points and Marco Bezzecchi by eight to take the championship, and both Aprilia riders looked fast in Friday practice.

Fabio Di Giannantonio led the Friday times on his VR46 Ducati, setting a new lap record ahead of Marquez, while Pecco Bagnaia reached Q2 in fourth. Marquez described winning the title this weekend as "still far".

Martin, recovering from a wrist fracture sustained in a crash at Phillip Island, was seventh on Friday and is expected to improve. KTM's Pedro Acosta failed to make the top 10 and faces Q1 in qualifying.