MotoGP News: Rookie Pedro Acosta wins pole at Motegi
Rookie Pedro Acosta powered to an incredible pole position at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi, with the #31 setting a new all-time lap record – clocking a 1:43.018.
The rookie sensation claimed P1 on the grid and now becomes the third youngest polesitter in the premier class.
Acosta will start alongside Francesco Bagnaia in what could be a crucial day for the reigning World Champion after a phenomenal final run for the #1.
Bagnaia was a mere 0.246s adrift from Acosta and will be joined on the front row by Maverick Viñales in a great result for the #12 – starting from third.
Marc Marquez clocked an unbelievable 1:42.868. The #93’s fastest lap was then taken away due to exceeding track limits, allowing Acosta to inherit pole after posting an impressive 1:43.018.
Meanwhile, Point Leader Jorge Martin crashed in the final two minutes – falling at Turn 9.
Japanese MotoGP, Motegi – Full Qualifying Results
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff |
| 1 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16)* | 1’43.018s |
| 2 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) | +0.246s |
| 3 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | +0.423s |
| 4 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) | +0.521s |
| 5 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.643s |
| 6 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | +0.810s |
| 7 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | VR46 Ducati (GP23) | +0.980s |
| 8 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | VR46 Ducati (GP23) | +1.055s |
| 9 | Marc Marquez** | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +1.118s |
| 10 | Alex Marquez | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +1.245s |
| 11 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | +1.285s |
| 12 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +1.479s |
| —-Qualifying 1— | ||||
| 13 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) | 1’44.122s |
| 14 | Jack Miller | AUS | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1’44.193s |
| 15 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | 1’44.202s |
| 16 | Johann Zarco | FRA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | 1’44.302s |
| 17 | Joan Mir | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1’44.498s |
| 18 | Augusto Fernandez | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) | 1’44.547s |
| 19 | Alex Rins | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1’44.552s |
| 20 | Luca Marini | ITA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1’44.648s |
| 21 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | 1’44.886s |
| 22 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | 1’45.422s |
| 23 | Remy Gardner | AUS | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1’45.594s |
* Rookie
**Marc Marquez clocked an unbelievable 1:42.868. The #93’s fastest lap was then taken away due to exceeding track limits