Texas, March 29 -- Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) set a new lap record of 2:00.136 to take pole position at the US GP, making it back-to-back poles for the first time in his career to follow up his Brazilian GP glory in style.

Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) took second before being given a two-place grid penalty for Sunday's GP, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in third at the conclusion of a dramatic session, according to a release. One notable name missing from that front row is eight-time COTA polesitter Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), as the #93 had an adventurous session and starts P6 in Texas.

After the first runs, there was a stunning new lap record leading the wa...