The 2026 German MotoGP at Sachsenring saw a thrilling warm-up session, with Marc Marquez leading a Ducati sweep, followed by a dramatic crash for Fabio di Giannantonio. The Italian rider, who finished third in the Sprint, crashed on entry to Turn 8, sending his bike into an airfence. Fortunately, he walked away unharmed. Alex Marquez, who finished between Marc and di Giannantonio in the Sprint, was third in warm-up. The trio will form the front row for the grand prix. Yamaha riders Fabio Quartararo and Jack Miller were the top non-Ducatis in fourth and fifth, respectively. The session saw riders transition from the soft rear tyre used in the Sprint to the medium tyre, preparing for the grand prix distance. Title leader Jorge Martin, who finished sixth in the Sprint, was only tenth in the warm-up session. The 30-lap grand prix starts at 2 pm local time (1 pm UK).
Marco Bezzecchi, who lost the title lead to Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin at Assen, has withdrawn from the Sachsenring event after fracturing his collarbone in qualifying. The Italian will require surgery. Gresini's Fermin Aldeguer, who fractured a vertebra in Friday practice at Assen, is also missing and has not been replaced for this weekend. Johann Zarco, who remains absent due to knee ligament injuries sustained at Catalunya in May, is again replaced at LCR by Cal Crutchlow.
The Sachsenring event is the first to feature the new grid format with wider spacing between each rider and row, following an early ban on front holeshot devices at Assen. This new format aims to enhance safety and strategy, potentially impacting the race dynamics. With Marquez leading the pack and Ducati's dominance, the race promises to be an exciting spectacle, especially with the new grid format in play. The warm-up session sets the stage for a thrilling race, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the action to come.
