Marc Marquez returns to pole position at Motegi: qualifying in the wet puts Pecco Bagnaia in difficulty.
On Saturday at Motegi the rain plays a primary role, forcing the cancellation of the third free practice session. After more than 60 minutes of red flag at the Twing Ring, the premier class was able to take to the track for qualifying, despite the extreme conditions of the circuit. To earn the two free positions for Q2 are Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin, while Enea Bastianini falls in the final time attack.
The Gresini Racing driver will start from 15th position on the grid and will be forced to make a difficult comeback to continue chasing the world championship dream, with the classification showing a gap of 48 points from the leader Fabio Quartararo. Preceding Bastianini in the fifth row are compatriots Marco Bezzecchi and Franco Morbidelli, in the sixth row Fabio Di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez and Alex Rins.
The second MotoGP qualifying session in Motegi
The rain gives a little respite, but the track conditions are extreme and slippery. Marc Marquez expresses himself best with rain tires, in such circumstances less physical effort is required and this allows him to express himself at his best. The Honda champion manages to snatch an almost unexpected pole position by stopping the clock in 1’55 ″ 214. He will start from the front row together with Johann Zarco and Brad Binder.
Maverick Vinales, Jorge Martin and Alex Espargarò will start from the second row, with the Aprilia rider who could take advantage of this position to try to file points in the standings. More in difficulty the other two big names, Fabio Quartararo (9th) and Pecco Bagnaia (12th). The Piedmontese from Ducati who will have to start from the fourth row and the assault on the podium will not be easy.
Marc Marquez is the ninth poleman of the season, an absolute record for the MotoGP championship that has never had such a diversity of protagonists. In all weather conditions, tomorrow will be an exciting race, with the three big players who will have to start in pursuit and choose the best strategy in terms of the championship and not just in view of the single race. “This result must be a stimulus for the whole team, even if it is only a pole in the wet“Declared the Cervera rider.
What it means 😍 pic.twitter.com/0mvIMwVjRE
– Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) September 24, 2022
