The China Mail - Di Giannantonio takes Brazil MotoGP pole ahead of Bezzecchi, Marquez

Di Giannantonio, who had to come through the first qualifying session, seized his first pole since 2022 with an early lap of 1:17.410.

He will line up just in front of compatriot Marco Bezzecchi.

Marc Marquez, bidding for a record-equalling eighth top-class world title this year, was one of several big names to crash but still managed to complete the front row.

The Spaniard is bidding to bounce back after being forced to retire from the first race of the season in Thailand three weeks ago.

Fabio Quartararo was fourth and will be joined on the second row by Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura.

The sprint race takes place later Saturday, with the main event Sunday as MotoGP returns to Brazil for the first time since 2004.

Former world champion Francesco Bagnaia slid off the track during one of his laps in Q2, as did rising star Pedro Acosta.

Acosta, who claimed his maiden MotoGP win in the sprint race in Buriram earlier this month before finishing second in the Grand Prix to lead the early standings, could only qualify in ninth, two places better than Bagnaia.

Japan's Ogura was fastest in the third and final practice session ahead of Alex Marquez and Quartararo.

Bezzecchi, who won the season-opener at Buriram but had previously struggled for pace this weekend, was then quickest in the first qualifying session to reach Q2.

In the battle for pole, Ducati's Marc Marquez quickly went second quickest, before crashing a couple of minutes later.

No one could catch Di Giannantonio, riding for Valentino Rossi's VR46 team.

F.Brown--ThChM