MotoGP: Jorge Martin seizes pole at Thai GP

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) was the fastest rider ahead of qualifying and was straight through to the second qualifying session. Some big names were forced to go through Q1, such as Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and both Gresini Ducatis. Mixed conditions were expected throughout the weekend, but it would be sunny in qualifying.

Q1

Riders were straight on the pace with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) setting the fastest initial lap in the first run. The second slot was hard fought for with his brother Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in second.

Last year’s race winner Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) had to go through the first qualifying. Oliveira won the race last season in extremely wet conditions onboard the factory KTM.

Riders were forced to look for tows in qualifying and a marker for their final laps of the session.

Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) was briefly inside the top two spots after a great lap. This was quickly taken by Marc Marquez knocking the Spaniard out of the qualifying session. On the final lap of the session, Alex Marquez set the fastest lap of the weekend, meaning both Marquez brothers were through.

Some key contenders were pushed out including Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP) who claimed his first podium in Australia. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) will start the Grand Prix from last after struggling in Thailand.

Q2

At the end of the first run, Jorge Martin was the fastest in the session and broke the lap record by two-tenths of a second. His Championship rival, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was in sixth.

The Marquez brothers did not set a time in the first run to save a set of tyres after using one set in Q1. The track temperature was nearly 50 degrees in qualifying and was tough on tyre wear.

Riders had red indicators at every sector in the second run, lighting up the timing screen like a Christmas tree.

Martin pulled off an unbelievable lap time, claiming pole with a 1:29.287 and another new lap record. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) will join him on the front row.

Last year’s pole sitter and previous lap record holder, Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) qualified in fourth position. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) looked fast in fifth position, ahead of Bagnaia in sixth.

Alex Marquez was in seventh and ahead of his brother Marc on the third row of the grid at the Thai GP. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) will join the Marquez duo in ninth after a solid lap time. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) rounded out the top 10 and was a further 0.006 behind.

Last weekend’s race winner and first-time MotoGP winner, Johan Zarco (Prima Pramac Ducati) was down in 11^th. Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) was in 12^th after he was unable to impact the session.

The MotoGP Sprint and Grand Prix are looking to be exciting with three manufacturers inside the top five. The MotoGP Sprint will start at 09:00 BST in an exciting challenge ahead for the Championship contenders.

Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool