Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix: Di Giannantonio Sets New All-Time Lap Record at Lusail

Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio set a new all-time lap record at Lusail International Circuit on Friday during the evening Practice session for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, round 20 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship.

The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider delivered an untouchable performance under the floodlights, taking first place in Practice and topping the standings ahead of Saturday's final race.

He set a new all-time lap record of 1:50.406, finishing 0.142 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Spain's Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo Team, who placed second in 1:50.548 after suffering a chain failure.

Italy's Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing placed third in 1:50.666, while compatriot Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Team finished fourth in 1:50.792.

Spain's Raul Fernandez of SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team came fifth in 1:51.014, followed by Italy's Enea Bastianini of Red Bull KTM Tech3 in sixth with a time of 1:51.024.

Spain's Jorge Martin, the Aprilia Racing rider who sits second in the MotoGP World Championship standings, finished seventh in 1:51.041.

France's Johann Zarco of CASTROL Honda LCR recorded 1:51.301, Japan's Ai Ogura of SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team clocked 1:51.318 and South Africa's Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing posted 1:51.409 to complete the top 10.

The evening Practice session produced intense action from the opening lap, when Marco Bezzecchi made a strong and competitive start to seize the lead before improving his time again on his second lap.

Bezzecchi was not the only rider to demonstrate strong form on an Aprilia. Spanish rider Jorge Martin, the 2024 world champion, made a strong return to the top 10 as he sought a direct place in Q2.

The session also featured an impressive performance from SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team through Japanese rider Ai Ogura and his Spanish teammate Raul Fernandez, who secured leading positions that qualified them directly for Q2.

Di Giannantonio ultimately topped the overall standings with the fastest lap after completing 18 laps.

Source: QNA

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