Valencia — Jorge Martin qualified on the front row for this weekend’s season-ending Valencia MotoGP, with title favorite Francesco Bagnaia on the third row.
Ducati rider Bagnaia has a 23-point advantage over defending champion Fabio Quartararo heading into the last race of the season.
Quartararo, who at one point led his Italian competitor by 91 points, qualified with the fourth-fastest time to start from the second row.
To preserve his title, he must not only win, but also hope that Bagnaia finishes no higher than fourteenth.
In the event of any other outcome, the MotoGP championship will be awarded to the first Italian rider since the famous Valentino Rossi 13 years ago.
This was Martin’s third consecutive pole position, following Thailand and his track record-setting performance in Australia the previous time out.
Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who has experienced an injury-plagued season but was thrilled with his qualifying performance, will join him on the first row.
“The objective was the second or third row, therefore the team did well,” the Spaniard remarked.
“I enjoy this track, and tomorrow I want to win, but I’ll have to work for it because I’m not the fastest competitor.”
As far as Ducati is concerned, they would gladly take a victory from the Honda rider or anyone other than Quartararo if it would secure Bagnaia’s championship.
Jack Miller, Bagnaia’s teammate, completed the top row in his final ride for the Ducati team after five seasons.
“Being on the front row sets up what I hope will be an ideal ending to my tenure with Ducati,” added the Australian.
In the second row, Quartararo, Alex Rins, and Maverick Vinales were followed by Brad Binder, Bagnaia, and Johan Zarco.
As for pole-sitter Martin, he said, “I’m ecstatic with my third consecutive victory, but the race is what matters — Vamos!”