{
  "id": 12645847,
  "title": "MotoGP to introduce qualifying for sprint race",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/motogp-to-introduce-qualifying-for-sprint-race",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T14:18:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/07/motogp-to-introduce-qualifying-for-sprint-race"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Next season's MotoGP campaign will feature a new format with separate qualifying sessions and distinct grids for the sprint and Grand Prix races, according to organisers. Since its introduction in 2023, the sprint race grid has been determined by the qualifying session for pole, but this will change next year. The sprint race will now have its own specific qualifying session on Friday, while the MotoGP pole position qualifying remains on Saturday. This change comes alongside the introduction of new bikes and technical regulations. The sport aims to give the weekend a new look with the new qualifying session for the MotoGP Sprint, creating separate grids for both the Sprint and Grand Prix races at every round. The title race is currently intense with Spanish rider Jorge Martin leading defending champion Marc Marquez by just two points ahead of the next round in Indonesia. There are six rounds remaining, depending on the final decision on the Qatar race due to uncertainty from the Middle East conflict.",
  "summary": "Since its introduction in 2023, the grid for the sprint race has been decided by the qualifying session for pole.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "MotoGP to introduce qualifying for sprint race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/motogp-to-introduce-qualifying-for-sprint-race-12647254",
        "published": "2026-10-07T14:18:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "MotoGP to introduce qualifying for sprint race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/motogp-to-introduce-qualifying-for-sprint-race-12646995",
        "published": "2026-10-07T14:54:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}