Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo stunned the paddock by claiming a sensational MotoGP pole position at Jerez.
The 2021 champion defied all expectations by setting the fastest lap of 1.35.610s, earning his first pole since the Indonesian Grand Prix in 2022.
Joining Quartararo on the front row were factory Ducati teammates Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.
Gresini’s Alex Marquez secured fourth place, with the top four on the grid covered by just 0.148 seconds.
Franco Morbidelli will start from the middle of the second row for VR46 Ducati, lapping faster than Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales.
MotoGP newcomer Fermin Aldeguer claimed seventh for Gresini Ducati, qualifying ahead of VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Joan Mir and Johann Zarco claimed ninth and tenth for Honda, before Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta closed out the front four rows on the grid.
KTM’s Brad Binder was the first rider to miss out in the second phase of qualifying, meaning the South African starts in 13th place.
His former team-mate Jack Miller claimed 14th spot for Pramac Yamaha to finish as the second lead Yamaha.
Luca Marini’s lack of pace was evident once again, and he’ll start between the two Trackhouse riders, Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez on the grid.
Enea Bastianini qualified in 18th place for Tech3 KTM as he continues to acclimatise to the demands of the RC16.
Honda HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro claimed 19th on his wildcard outing for the Japanese marque, defeating Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez.
LCR Honda rider Somkiat Chantra and Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori qualified in 21st and 22nd place, respectively.
Alex Rins will start both races from last place, despite setting a late lap after visiting the medical centre for a check-up following a crash in the final practice session.
