AUSTIN: Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio made it back-to-back MotoGP pole positions in qualifying for the United States Grand Prix on Saturday, as reigning world champion Marc Marquez was only sixth fastest.

Di Giannantonio, who races for Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team, edged out compatriot and early championship leader Marco Bezzecchi by 0.193secs.

Rising star Pedro Acosta completed the front row.

“It wasn’t a perfect lap, but I really gave it my all and it was one of the fastest laps of my life,” said Di Giannantonio, whose pole last week in Brazil was his first since 2022.

Marc Marquez’s up-and-down start to his title defence continued as he could only round off the second row behind Francesco Bagnaia and Joan Mir.

The Spaniard crashed out of the season opener in Thailand earlier this month before finishing fourth in Brazil.

Marquez, bidding for a record-equalling eighth top-class world title this year, has impressed in the sprint races, though, with a win and a second-placed finish.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2026