Rain on Saturday morning at Jerez saw Marc Marquez break a MotoGP pole drought stretching back to August last year.

Left half-a-second behind brother Alex in the dry on Friday, the reigning world champion was a constant pole contender in the tricky conditions.

But one rider stepped up to challenge the nine-time world champion.

Last year’s French MotoGP winner Johann Zarco, also renowned for his ability on a wet but drying track, snatched pole away with five minutes to go.

Marquez responded but feared the LCR Honda rider would beat his final effort after a mistake at the final corner.

However, Zarco, aware he needed to go faster than ever, also pushed too hard into the hairpin and Marquez held pole by 0.140s.

• 2026 Spanish MotoGP, Jerez – Full Qualifying Results

“Qualifying is not my strongest point, but the fact that it was half-wet conditions, that is where I normally feel comfortable,” Marc Marquez said. “Today was not the best feeling out there, but I was able to be fast.

“I felt like Johann will beat me on the last lap, because I knew that I did a mistake in the last corner. But he did an even bigger mistake. So, happy for the pole and it will be a help for both races.”

Zarco, twelfth on Friday, admitted he was happy to hear the rain falling overnight.

“I slept pretty well after hearing the rain last night! But at the beginning of FP2, I was not as fast as I expected and I needed time to find a bit of confidence,” said Johann Zarco, who unlike Marquez had to right through Qualifying 1.

“In Q1, when we had a bit less water on track, I got more confidence, and also using the medium rear tyre always helps.

“For Q2, I really thought that pole position was doable. I was leading, then Marc did a good lap time while I was slowing down to try to cool the tyre, and then have an extra push.

“I saw I’d lost P1 and so I did everything to catch first position again. In the last corner I had a big slide, and I lost maybe the few tenths that was necessary to get the pole.

“It’s fun because Marc is very strong in all conditions, but also in these conditions. He knows that I can try to fight with him and he’s always looking at me!

“So it would have been nice to beat him, just for this morning.”

Joining Marquez and Zarco on the front row – but over one second from pole position – will be Fabio di Giannantonio, who said he felt happier than during his back-to-back poles in Goiania and Texas.

“I’m much happier about this front row than the pole positions, honestly,” said the VR46 Ducati rider. “For sure, I wanted another pole, but in these tricky conditions, especially this morning after FP2, I was not that confident.

“But luckily, the team did huge work behind the scenes, we made a few modifications on the bike, and the feeling was much better.

“I also have to give credit to them for an incredible strategy, to stop just at the last moment and put the new tyre. It paid off. We are in the front row. Sweet spot for tomorrow and this afternoon. So I’m really happy.”

Title leader Marco Bezzecchi will start from fourth place, with team-mate and closest championship rival Jorge Martin in seventh, but facing a three-place grid penalty for the grand prix.

Rain on Saturday morning at Jerez saw Marc Marquez break a MotoGP pole drought stretching back to August last year.

Left half-a-second behind brother Alex in the dry on Friday, the reigning world champion was a constant pole contender in the tricky conditions.

But one rider stepped up to challenge the nine-time world champion.

Last year’s French MotoGP winner Johann Zarco, also renowned for his ability on a wet but drying track, snatched pole away with five minutes to go.

Marquez responded but feared the LCR Honda rider would beat his final effort after a mistake at the final corner.

However, Zarco, aware he needed to go faster than ever, also pushed too hard into the hairpin and Marquez held pole by 0.140s.

• 2026 Spanish MotoGP, Jerez – Full Qualifying Results

“Qualifying is not my strongest point, but the fact that it was half-wet conditions, that is where I normally feel comfortable,” Marc Marquez said. “Today was not the best feeling out there, but I was able to be fast.

“I felt like Johann will beat me on the last lap, because I knew that I did a mistake in the last corner. But he did an even bigger mistake. So, happy for the pole and it will be a help for both races.”

Zarco, twelfth on Friday, admitted he was happy to hear the rain falling overnight.

“I slept pretty well after hearing the rain last night! But at the beginning of FP2, I was not as fast as I expected and I needed time to find a bit of confidence,” said Johann Zarco, who unlike Marquez had to right through Qualifying 1.

“In Q1, when we had a bit less water on track, I got more confidence, and also using the medium rear tyre always helps.

“For Q2, I really thought that pole position was doable. I was leading, then Marc did a good lap time while I was slowing down to try to cool the tyre, and then have an extra push.

“I saw I’d lost P1 and so I did everything to catch first position again. In the last corner I had a big slide, and I lost maybe the few tenths that was necessary to get the pole.

“It’s fun because Marc is very strong in all conditions, but also in these conditions. He knows that I can try to fight with him and he’s always looking at me!

“So it would have been nice to beat him, just for this morning.”

Joining Marquez and Zarco on the front row – but over one second from pole position – will be Fabio di Giannantonio, who said he felt happier than during his back-to-back poles in Goiania and Texas.

“I’m much happier about this front row than the pole positions, honestly,” said the VR46 Ducati rider. “For sure, I wanted another pole, but in these tricky conditions, especially this morning after FP2, I was not that confident.

“But luckily, the team did huge work behind the scenes, we made a few modifications on the bike, and the feeling was much better.

“I also have to give credit to them for an incredible strategy, to stop just at the last moment and put the new tyre. It paid off. We are in the front row. Sweet spot for tomorrow and this afternoon. So I’m really happy.”

Title leader Marco Bezzecchi will start from fourth place, with team-mate and closest championship rival Jorge Martin in seventh, but facing a three-place grid penalty for the grand prix.