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College basketball’s 3 biggest winners and losers from men’s opening week

College basketball’s 3 biggest winners and losers from men’s opening week

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There has been a full week of college basketball games, which means it’s beyond time to overreact.

Here are the three biggest winners and losers from the sport’s opening week.

The Wildcats won the first spotlight game of the 2205-26 season with their 93-87 triumph over reigning national champion Florida on opening night. Toss in the fact that freshman forward Koa Peat likely gave the most impressive individual performance of the week (30 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals), and yeah, it isn’t hard to justify Arizona being here.

There was maybe a mild hangover on Friday for Tommy Lloyd’s team, which led Utah Tech by just seven points at halftime before rolling to a 93-67 victory. Peat scored 18 points in the win despite attempting just seven field goals.

Arizona was picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason media poll, but if week one is any indication, the Cats are much more of a threat to Houston’s throne than most thought entering the year.

After blasting Central Arkansas by 40 on opening night, the Tar Heels made an early statement on Friday night with an emphatic 87-74 win over visiting Kansas.

While most of the hype entering the showdown surrounded KU super freshman Darryn Peterson, it was UNC’s own McDonald’s All-American, Caleb Wilson, who stole the show. The absurdly talented 6’10” forward scored 24 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals as he added his name to the list of teenagers who have defined the first days of the 2025-26 season.

After the game, Wilson acknowledged that that matchup with Peterson was personal for him.

It’s no secret that this is a make-or-break season for Hubert Davis in Chapel Hill. Notching a statement victory this early in the season is comforting, but it means nothing if the Tar Heels aren’t able to build on it over the next few weeks of non-conference play.

Carolina will have an opportunity to do just that during a three-game stretch at the end of November/beginning of December when they’ll face Michigan State, Kentucky and Georgetown in succession.

While Arizona may have had the splashiest week one win thanks to the added spotlight that opening night brings, it was the Crimson Tide who scored likely the week’s most impactful victory.

More than a few college basketball writers projected during the offseason that Nate Oats’ program might take a slight step backwards in 2025-26. Instead, Alabama waltzed into Madison Square Garden on the season’s first Saturday and took down Rick Pitino and No. 5 St. John’s in a wildly entertaining game where the Tide were pretty clearly the superior side.

Labaron Philon made an early statement to the college basketball world by looking unguardable for two hours and finishing with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Backcourt mate Aden Holloway was rock solid as well, and added 21.

St. John’s will be fine. Pitino teams always seem to hit their stride right around the start of conference play, which means a true road win over the Johnnies should age like a fine wine for Alabama.

Is it unfair to knock a team for losing on the road to a top 25 opponent in the first week of the season? Perhaps, but November stock reports aren’t about fairness. They’re about … well, vibes, mostly. Just like the College Football Playoff rankings.

Fears that poor outside shooting and erratic guard play could once again haunt John Calipari were given fuel in this one. The Razorbacks connected on just 7-of-28 shots from beyond the arc, and freshman guard Darius Acuff struggled with decision-making, particularly when it came to shot selection and a critical foul of Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears on a three-point attempt.

The pieces are there for the Razorbacks, but they simply could not find a way to get it done when the stakes were the highest, which was a story that largely defined Calipari’s first season in Fayetteville.

The Bruins looked wildly inconsistent in a pair of closer than they had any business being wins over Eastern Washington (80-74) and Pepperdine (74-63). Despite that, head coach Mick Cronin didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the team’s play and was adamant that the preseason No. 10 team in the country would be just fine.

Just kidding, he said he wanted to fire himself after the season’s first game.

It’s pretty apparent that UCLA is struggling a bit to adjust to life with Donovan Dent, the score-first point guard who thrives when he has free reign to do his thing in transition. The Bruins likely will be just fine when all is said and done, but week one was not overly comforting for fans desperately waiting for the program to get back to the promised land.

I don’t care how much they beat Merrimack by in game two, you can’t commit perhaps the worst foul we’re going to see all season and go to overtime with Bethune-Cookman and avoid finding yourself on this list.

Maybe Steven Pearl is the right man for the job and the Tigers are going to keep rolling just like they would have if his dad had remained the head coach. Game one certainly provided some reasons to believe that will not be the case.

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Deadspin | Noah Schultz aims to channel emotions as White Sox host Nationals Apr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz (22) throws to a Athletics batter during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images Chicago White Sox rookie left-hander Noah Schultz earned his first major league victory last weekend. As he aims to win successive starts when he faces the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon, Schultz is confident he gained perspective, too. “Calm myself down with nerves and stuff like that, that hopefully are gone,” he said. “Getting ahead of guys and attacking hitters.” A product of Oswego East High School in suburban Chicago, Schultz (1-1, 3.86 ERA) will pitch at Rate Field for the first time since losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on April 14 in his MLB debut. Schultz, 22, regrouped Sunday in a road start against the Athletics, yielding only a solo home run in five innings while walking one and striking out six. He’ll aim again to channel his full arsenal against the Nationals. “Noah was really good,” Chicago manager Will Venable said. “Got back to the fastball, that’s obviously among his best weapons. And really got to that and did a nice job of mixing the four-seamer, the two-seamer. Ended up landing some sweepers in the zone, the cutter was in the zone, which is a big pitch for him, too.” Luis Garcia Jr. had two hits and James Wood worked three walks for the Nationals in Friday’s series opener, but Washington struggled to deliver in the clutch. Seranthony Dominguez struck out Wood with a runner at third base to close a 5-4 victory as the White Sox won for the fourth time in the past five games. The hot streak has coincided with a power surge for Chicago first baseman Munetaka Murakami, whose solo shot Friday gave him six homers in the past seven games and 11 home runs this season. Right-hander Jake Irvin (1-3, 6.00 ERA) will start for the Nationals on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game series. After defeating the crosstown Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 29 behind five innings of two-run ball, Irvin is 0-3 with a 6.63 ERA in four April starts. He pitched into the sixth inning during Monday’s 9-4 home loss to Atlanta, allowing four runs (three earned) and three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. “Good things happen when you get ahead,” Irvin said. “Just give our guys every chance to win.” Irvin took a no-decision against the White Sox in his lone career appearance against them, last Sept. 27 at Rate Field. He allowed four runs and six hits in six innings, including a two-run home run to Colson Montgomery. Wood has walked nine times in the past four games and boasts eight games this season in which he has received multiple free passes. His streak of consecutive games with a home run stopped at three on Friday. Wood leads the National League with 10 home runs, one fewer than Murakami and Houston’s Yordan Alvarez. Washington’s CJ Abrams went 0-for-4 in the series opener and is 2-for-27 with eight strikeouts in the past seven games. The Nationals have lost three games in a row and six of their past eight. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Noah #Schultz #aims #channel #emotions #White #Sox #host #NationalsApr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz (22) throws to a Athletics batter during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images

Chicago White Sox rookie left-hander Noah Schultz earned his first major league victory last weekend.

As he aims to win successive starts when he faces the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon, Schultz is confident he gained perspective, too.

“Calm myself down with nerves and stuff like that, that hopefully are gone,” he said. “Getting ahead of guys and attacking hitters.”

A product of Oswego East High School in suburban Chicago, Schultz (1-1, 3.86 ERA) will pitch at Rate Field for the first time since losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on April 14 in his MLB debut.

Schultz, 22, regrouped Sunday in a road start against the Athletics, yielding only a solo home run in five innings while walking one and striking out six.

He’ll aim again to channel his full arsenal against the Nationals.

“Noah was really good,” Chicago manager Will Venable said. “Got back to the fastball, that’s obviously among his best weapons. And really got to that and did a nice job of mixing the four-seamer, the two-seamer. Ended up landing some sweepers in the zone, the cutter was in the zone, which is a big pitch for him, too.”

Luis Garcia Jr. had two hits and James Wood worked three walks for the Nationals in Friday’s series opener, but Washington struggled to deliver in the clutch.

Seranthony Dominguez struck out Wood with a runner at third base to close a 5-4 victory as the White Sox won for the fourth time in the past five games.


The hot streak has coincided with a power surge for Chicago first baseman Munetaka Murakami, whose solo shot Friday gave him six homers in the past seven games and 11 home runs this season.

Right-hander Jake Irvin (1-3, 6.00 ERA) will start for the Nationals on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game series. After defeating the crosstown Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 29 behind five innings of two-run ball, Irvin is 0-3 with a 6.63 ERA in four April starts.

He pitched into the sixth inning during Monday’s 9-4 home loss to Atlanta, allowing four runs (three earned) and three hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

“Good things happen when you get ahead,” Irvin said. “Just give our guys every chance to win.”

Irvin took a no-decision against the White Sox in his lone career appearance against them, last Sept. 27 at Rate Field. He allowed four runs and six hits in six innings, including a two-run home run to Colson Montgomery.

Wood has walked nine times in the past four games and boasts eight games this season in which he has received multiple free passes. His streak of consecutive games with a home run stopped at three on Friday.

Wood leads the National League with 10 home runs, one fewer than Murakami and Houston’s Yordan Alvarez.

Washington’s CJ Abrams went 0-for-4 in the series opener and is 2-for-27 with eight strikeouts in the past seven games.

The Nationals have lost three games in a row and six of their past eight.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Noah #Schultz #aims #channel #emotions #White #Sox #host #Nationals">Deadspin | Noah Schultz aims to channel emotions as White Sox host Nationals Apr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz (22) throws to a Athletics batter during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images Chicago White Sox rookie left-hander Noah Schultz earned his first major league victory last weekend. As he aims to win successive starts when he faces the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon, Schultz is confident he gained perspective, too. “Calm myself down with nerves and stuff like that, that hopefully are gone,” he said. “Getting ahead of guys and attacking hitters.” A product of Oswego East High School in suburban Chicago, Schultz (1-1, 3.86 ERA) will pitch at Rate Field for the first time since losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on April 14 in his MLB debut. Schultz, 22, regrouped Sunday in a road start against the Athletics, yielding only a solo home run in five innings while walking one and striking out six. He’ll aim again to channel his full arsenal against the Nationals. “Noah was really good,” Chicago manager Will Venable said. “Got back to the fastball, that’s obviously among his best weapons. And really got to that and did a nice job of mixing the four-seamer, the two-seamer. Ended up landing some sweepers in the zone, the cutter was in the zone, which is a big pitch for him, too.” Luis Garcia Jr. had two hits and James Wood worked three walks for the Nationals in Friday’s series opener, but Washington struggled to deliver in the clutch. Seranthony Dominguez struck out Wood with a runner at third base to close a 5-4 victory as the White Sox won for the fourth time in the past five games. The hot streak has coincided with a power surge for Chicago first baseman Munetaka Murakami, whose solo shot Friday gave him six homers in the past seven games and 11 home runs this season. Right-hander Jake Irvin (1-3, 6.00 ERA) will start for the Nationals on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game series. After defeating the crosstown Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 29 behind five innings of two-run ball, Irvin is 0-3 with a 6.63 ERA in four April starts. He pitched into the sixth inning during Monday’s 9-4 home loss to Atlanta, allowing four runs (three earned) and three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. “Good things happen when you get ahead,” Irvin said. “Just give our guys every chance to win.” Irvin took a no-decision against the White Sox in his lone career appearance against them, last Sept. 27 at Rate Field. He allowed four runs and six hits in six innings, including a two-run home run to Colson Montgomery. Wood has walked nine times in the past four games and boasts eight games this season in which he has received multiple free passes. His streak of consecutive games with a home run stopped at three on Friday. Wood leads the National League with 10 home runs, one fewer than Murakami and Houston’s Yordan Alvarez. Washington’s CJ Abrams went 0-for-4 in the series opener and is 2-for-27 with eight strikeouts in the past seven games. The Nationals have lost three games in a row and six of their past eight. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Noah #Schultz #aims #channel #emotions #White #Sox #host #Nationals

Deadspin | Surging Cubs count on bullpen ahead of rematch vs. Dodgers Apr 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen (49) reacts to a strike out during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images Even with new pitchers in the Chicago Cubs’ injury-plagued bullpen, the results remained the same. The Cubs rallied for a 6-4 win on Friday, with their bullpen covering four scoreless innings and holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits. Chicago takes a 10-game winning streak into the middle game of a three-game road series against the Dodgers on Saturday. It’s the longest winning streak since the 2016 World Series champion Cubs reeled off 11 straight victories that August. “Nothing is really long-term (with our bullpen injuries),” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “Which we think is a positive in all this. But injuries add up, and we’ve lost a lot of bodies. When that happens, it gets hard to replace them with the same quality. But our guys have done a great job, a heck of a job. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to put together this nice run.” On Friday, Caleb Thielbar became the latest to join the list of sidelined Cubs’ pitchers when a left hamstring strain landed him on the 15-day injured list. Right-hander Vince Velasquez was called up from Triple-A Iowa. Thielbar is at least the sixth Cubs reliever to land on the IL this season. “Right now we think it’s on the mild side,” Counsell said about Thielbar’s injury. “He’s had this injury before in 2022, and he thinks this is a less severe version of that. We’ll know more as we get through the week but hope he can (miss) close to the minimum here.” In a string of moves, infielder Scott Kingery was designated for assignment and third baseman Nicky Lopez rejoined the club after he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies for cash on Thursday. Lopez played in 14 games for the Cubs last season and had one hit in 18 at-bats. “Nicky has familiarity with the group,” Counsell said. “Familiarity with us. We think that’s helpful.” Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Saturday. In his most recent outing on Monday, the right-hander was credited with the win. He gave up six hits, one run and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old has eight career appearances (five starts) against the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a 5.94 ERA. The Dodgers are expected to start Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11 ERA). In four starts, the right-hander has thrown five innings just once. On Sunday, Sasaki wasn’t part of the decision but gave up seven hits, three runs, walked two and struck out two in 4 2/3 innings in a 9-6 loss at the Colorado Rockies. “In the long run, I know the things I need to work on,” Sasaki said. “But at the same time, I need to keep making adjustments for the long term. … If I am able to go deeper in games, maybe it will be better.” After the Dodgers built a 4-0 lead on Friday, starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan left the game after 6 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on four hits and a walk and struck out 10, but the Dodgers’ bullpen could not hold the lead. In 2 2/3 innings, four Dodgers relievers gave up five runs on seven hits, including a solo home run by Alex Bregman in the eighth and a two-run blast from Dansby Swanson in the ninth. Los Angeles lost for the fifth time in its last seven games, but manager Dave Roberts downplayed his bullpen’s struggles. “I don’t concern myself too much about it, ” he said. “These are the guys we have, and they’ve pitched well. They have to continue to go out there and pitch well.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Cubs #count #bullpen #ahead #rematch #DodgersApr 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen (49) reacts to a strike out during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Even with new pitchers in the Chicago Cubs’ injury-plagued bullpen, the results remained the same.

The Cubs rallied for a 6-4 win on Friday, with their bullpen covering four scoreless innings and holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits.

Chicago takes a 10-game winning streak into the middle game of a three-game road series against the Dodgers on Saturday. It’s the longest winning streak since the 2016 World Series champion Cubs reeled off 11 straight victories that August.

“Nothing is really long-term (with our bullpen injuries),” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “Which we think is a positive in all this. But injuries add up, and we’ve lost a lot of bodies. When that happens, it gets hard to replace them with the same quality. But our guys have done a great job, a heck of a job. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to put together this nice run.”

On Friday, Caleb Thielbar became the latest to join the list of sidelined Cubs’ pitchers when a left hamstring strain landed him on the 15-day injured list. Right-hander Vince Velasquez was called up from Triple-A Iowa. Thielbar is at least the sixth Cubs reliever to land on the IL this season.

“Right now we think it’s on the mild side,” Counsell said about Thielbar’s injury. “He’s had this injury before in 2022, and he thinks this is a less severe version of that. We’ll know more as we get through the week but hope he can (miss) close to the minimum here.”

In a string of moves, infielder Scott Kingery was designated for assignment and third baseman Nicky Lopez rejoined the club after he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies for cash on Thursday. Lopez played in 14 games for the Cubs last season and had one hit in 18 at-bats.

“Nicky has familiarity with the group,” Counsell said. “Familiarity with us. We think that’s helpful.”


Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Saturday. In his most recent outing on Monday, the right-hander was credited with the win. He gave up six hits, one run and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old has eight career appearances (five starts) against the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a 5.94 ERA.

The Dodgers are expected to start Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11 ERA). In four starts, the right-hander has thrown five innings just once.

On Sunday, Sasaki wasn’t part of the decision but gave up seven hits, three runs, walked two and struck out two in 4 2/3 innings in a 9-6 loss at the Colorado Rockies.

“In the long run, I know the things I need to work on,” Sasaki said. “But at the same time, I need to keep making adjustments for the long term. … If I am able to go deeper in games, maybe it will be better.”

After the Dodgers built a 4-0 lead on Friday, starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan left the game after 6 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on four hits and a walk and struck out 10, but the Dodgers’ bullpen could not hold the lead.

In 2 2/3 innings, four Dodgers relievers gave up five runs on seven hits, including a solo home run by Alex Bregman in the eighth and a two-run blast from Dansby Swanson in the ninth.

Los Angeles lost for the fifth time in its last seven games, but manager Dave Roberts downplayed his bullpen’s struggles.

“I don’t concern myself too much about it, ” he said. “These are the guys we have, and they’ve pitched well. They have to continue to go out there and pitch well.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #Cubs #count #bullpen #ahead #rematch #Dodgers">Deadspin | Surging Cubs count on bullpen ahead of rematch vs. Dodgers Apr 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen (49) reacts to a strike out during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images Even with new pitchers in the Chicago Cubs’ injury-plagued bullpen, the results remained the same. The Cubs rallied for a 6-4 win on Friday, with their bullpen covering four scoreless innings and holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits. Chicago takes a 10-game winning streak into the middle game of a three-game road series against the Dodgers on Saturday. It’s the longest winning streak since the 2016 World Series champion Cubs reeled off 11 straight victories that August. “Nothing is really long-term (with our bullpen injuries),” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “Which we think is a positive in all this. But injuries add up, and we’ve lost a lot of bodies. When that happens, it gets hard to replace them with the same quality. But our guys have done a great job, a heck of a job. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to put together this nice run.” On Friday, Caleb Thielbar became the latest to join the list of sidelined Cubs’ pitchers when a left hamstring strain landed him on the 15-day injured list. Right-hander Vince Velasquez was called up from Triple-A Iowa. Thielbar is at least the sixth Cubs reliever to land on the IL this season. “Right now we think it’s on the mild side,” Counsell said about Thielbar’s injury. “He’s had this injury before in 2022, and he thinks this is a less severe version of that. We’ll know more as we get through the week but hope he can (miss) close to the minimum here.” In a string of moves, infielder Scott Kingery was designated for assignment and third baseman Nicky Lopez rejoined the club after he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies for cash on Thursday. Lopez played in 14 games for the Cubs last season and had one hit in 18 at-bats. “Nicky has familiarity with the group,” Counsell said. “Familiarity with us. We think that’s helpful.” Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Saturday. In his most recent outing on Monday, the right-hander was credited with the win. He gave up six hits, one run and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old has eight career appearances (five starts) against the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a 5.94 ERA. The Dodgers are expected to start Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11 ERA). In four starts, the right-hander has thrown five innings just once. On Sunday, Sasaki wasn’t part of the decision but gave up seven hits, three runs, walked two and struck out two in 4 2/3 innings in a 9-6 loss at the Colorado Rockies. “In the long run, I know the things I need to work on,” Sasaki said. “But at the same time, I need to keep making adjustments for the long term. … If I am able to go deeper in games, maybe it will be better.” After the Dodgers built a 4-0 lead on Friday, starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan left the game after 6 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on four hits and a walk and struck out 10, but the Dodgers’ bullpen could not hold the lead. In 2 2/3 innings, four Dodgers relievers gave up five runs on seven hits, including a solo home run by Alex Bregman in the eighth and a two-run blast from Dansby Swanson in the ninth. Los Angeles lost for the fifth time in its last seven games, but manager Dave Roberts downplayed his bullpen’s struggles. “I don’t concern myself too much about it, ” he said. “These are the guys we have, and they’ve pitched well. They have to continue to go out there and pitch well.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Cubs #count #bullpen #ahead #rematch #Dodgers

Home favourite Marc Marquez claimed pole position at the Spanish MotoGP in a wet qualifying session at Jerez on Saturday.

The reigning champion edged out Honda rider Johann Zarco by 0.140 seconds, with Fabio Di Giannantonio third, more than a second behind Marquez’s time of 1:48.087 on his Ducati.

Marc’s brother Alex Marquez was quickest in practice on Friday but could not replicate that form in qualifying and crashed at Turn Nine. He recovered to finish fifth.

The Spaniard will start on the second row alongside overall leader Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing and KTM rider Pedro Acosta.

ALSO READ: Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Betis, Barcelona moves closer to title

“Yesterday in the dry I think Alex was a step ahead of everyone, then the rest of us were there, pretty similar,” Marc Marquez told DAZN.

“However, in the wet, in conditions where you have to flow a bit more without overdoing it and pushing so hard, that’s where I feel more comfortable.”

It was Marc Marquez’s first pole since Hungary in August 2025.

Jorge Martin and Fermin Aldeguer also crashed in the tricky conditions, while several other riders, including Franco Morbidelli and Jack Miller, fell in Q1 earlier.

The sprint race in Jerez takes place later on Saturday.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Spanish #MotoGP #Marquez #secures #pole #Jerez #tricky #wet #qualifying #session">Spanish MotoGP: Marquez secures pole at Jerez after tricky wet qualifying session Home favourite Marc Marquez claimed pole position at the Spanish MotoGP in a wet qualifying session at Jerez on Saturday.The reigning champion edged out Honda rider Johann Zarco by 0.140 seconds, with Fabio Di Giannantonio third, more than a second behind Marquez’s time of 1:48.087 on his Ducati.Marc’s brother Alex Marquez was quickest in practice on Friday but could not replicate that form in qualifying and crashed at Turn Nine. He recovered to finish fifth.The Spaniard will start on the second row alongside overall leader Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing and KTM rider Pedro Acosta.ALSO READ: Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Betis, Barcelona moves closer to title“Yesterday in the dry I think Alex was a step ahead of everyone, then the rest of us were there, pretty similar,” Marc Marquez told DAZN.“However, in the wet, in conditions where you have to flow a bit more without overdoing it and pushing so hard, that’s where I feel more comfortable.”It was Marc Marquez’s first pole since Hungary in August 2025.Jorge Martin and Fermin Aldeguer also crashed in the tricky conditions, while several other riders, including Franco Morbidelli and Jack Miller, fell in Q1 earlier.The sprint race in Jerez takes place later on Saturday.Published on Apr 25, 2026 #Spanish #MotoGP #Marquez #secures #pole #Jerez #tricky #wet #qualifying #session

Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Betis, Barcelona moves closer to title

“Yesterday in the dry I think Alex was a step ahead of everyone, then the rest of us were there, pretty similar,” Marc Marquez told DAZN.

“However, in the wet, in conditions where you have to flow a bit more without overdoing it and pushing so hard, that’s where I feel more comfortable.”

It was Marc Marquez’s first pole since Hungary in August 2025.

Jorge Martin and Fermin Aldeguer also crashed in the tricky conditions, while several other riders, including Franco Morbidelli and Jack Miller, fell in Q1 earlier.

The sprint race in Jerez takes place later on Saturday.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Spanish #MotoGP #Marquez #secures #pole #Jerez #tricky #wet #qualifying #session">Spanish MotoGP: Marquez secures pole at Jerez after tricky wet qualifying session

Home favourite Marc Marquez claimed pole position at the Spanish MotoGP in a wet qualifying session at Jerez on Saturday.

The reigning champion edged out Honda rider Johann Zarco by 0.140 seconds, with Fabio Di Giannantonio third, more than a second behind Marquez’s time of 1:48.087 on his Ducati.

Marc’s brother Alex Marquez was quickest in practice on Friday but could not replicate that form in qualifying and crashed at Turn Nine. He recovered to finish fifth.

The Spaniard will start on the second row alongside overall leader Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing and KTM rider Pedro Acosta.

ALSO READ: Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Betis, Barcelona moves closer to title

“Yesterday in the dry I think Alex was a step ahead of everyone, then the rest of us were there, pretty similar,” Marc Marquez told DAZN.

“However, in the wet, in conditions where you have to flow a bit more without overdoing it and pushing so hard, that’s where I feel more comfortable.”

It was Marc Marquez’s first pole since Hungary in August 2025.

Jorge Martin and Fermin Aldeguer also crashed in the tricky conditions, while several other riders, including Franco Morbidelli and Jack Miller, fell in Q1 earlier.

The sprint race in Jerez takes place later on Saturday.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Spanish #MotoGP #Marquez #secures #pole #Jerez #tricky #wet #qualifying #session

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