Ai Ogura sets lap record to claim first MotoGP pole at Czech Grand Prix

[p]The result marks a breakthrough moment for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ogura-ai/A3AtM47b/"]Ogura[/a] as he prepares ‌to lead the field away on Sunday at ‌one of MotoGP’s most demanding circuits.[/p][p]The Japanese rider, who had ‌already topped Friday’s sessions, clocked a blistering 01:51.130 seconds to take pole, finishing ahead of VR46 Racing Team’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/di-giannantonio-fabio/pI4o388M/"]Fabio Di Giannantonio[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bagnaia-francesco/nahP9n9q/"]Francesco Bagnaia[/a], who had taken ‌pole at the circuit in 2025.[/p][p]Qualifying unfolded ⁠at a frantic pace, ‌as LCR Honda’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/moreira-diogo/jgqvgUFi/"]Diogo Moreira[/a] was the first to set the ​pace before Di Giannantonio moved to the top of the timesheets.[/p][p]Bagnaia then raised the bar further ​with a 1:51.383 to provisionally claim pole, only for Ogura to respond with a decisive lap that ultimately ⁠secured the top ​spot.[/p][embed guid="8c962f2c-1958-4360-8e4f-c248b65c6c15" url="https://x.com/MotoGP/status/2068265206518620477" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"The lap was really nice. To be honest, I did not expect to be that fast. It was good to have one fast lap this afternoon. We will see ‌how it goes. It will be a long race,"[/b] Ogura said.[/p][p]Di Giannantonio added: [b]"Ogura rode incredibly well. I thought my time was enough. I am happy with my job. On qualifying, it was important to be in the front row. I am really happy."[/b][/p][p]Defending Brno winner [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/marquez-marc/UPhfij2b/"]Marquez[/a] endured a mixed session. His first flying lap was deleted for exceeding track limits, and he went on ‌to qualify fifth, behind [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bezzecchi-marco/EXzAZEse/"]Marco Bezzecchi[/a]. The Italian rider ​produced a late improvement to climb the order and ‌finish just outside the front row.[/p][p]Ogura’s pole position capped a strong weekend so far, with the Trackhouse rider among five competitors to dip below the 1 minute 52 second mark during practice - a session ⁠in which Marquez had ⁠been the first to ‌do so.[/p]