MotoGP: Martin breaks lap record for Thai GP pole

MotoGP title-challenger Jorge Martin won his third pole position of the season at the Thailand Grand Prix by setting a lap record on Saturday.

The horsepower of the Pramac Ducati of Martin is hard to beat and it was Ducati HP 1-2  with VR46 Racing’s Luca Marini 2nd and Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro joining him on the front row.

Championship leader and reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia (also on a Ducati), who leads Martin by 27 points in the standings, will only start in sixth on Sunday, behind fellow Italian Marco Bezzecchi of VR46 Racing and KTM’s Brad Binder.

“I just look about myself. I am strong, and this is the most important thing,” the 25-year-old Martin said after his performance, including the record 1 minute 29.287 second lap.

“I did not expect to do 29.2, I think that is a very good lap… I feel more strong for tomorrow and today (sprint race). I think we can battle for both the races,” the Spaniard said.

Last year’s pole man, Bezzecchi, could not repeat his heroics at the Chang International Circuit, despite leading minutes before the end of the final qualifying. He will start fourth.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and his brother Alex (Gresini Ducati) sat out the first part of Q2 after already using up some of their new tires in Qualifying 1.

Alex Marquez and his brother Marc will start from the third row in seventh and eighth, where they are joined by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing).

Gresini’s Marquez earlier topped Q1 from his older brother, who successfully used Aussie Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) for a tow to snatch second spot and clinch his place in Qualifying 2.

Quartararo qualified 10th ahead of Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) and Augusto Fernandez (GasGas Tech3 KTM).

Fabio Di Giannantonio was 13th on the Gresini Ducati as he heads up Row 5 with RNF Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez and Miller.

Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda), Pol Espargaro (GasGas Tech3 KTM), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha), Joan Mir (Repsol Honda), Miguel Oliveira (RNF Aprilia) and Enea Bastianini (Lenovo Ducati) completed the final two rows.

Qualifying Results