Motegi, Japan – Saturday’s qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix saw six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez reclaim pole position for the first time in three years, despite the erratic weather conditions.
On a day marred by torrential rain and lightning in Motegi, the contenders for the world championship battled to overcome the conditions.
On his Honda, however, the Spanish great Marquez had no such problems, setting the fastest time with 1 minute and 55.214 seconds, ahead of France’s Johann Zarco, 0.208 seconds behind, and South Africa’s Brad Binder (0.323 sec).
As a result of the outbreak, the outlook for Japan’s first MotoGP since 2019 is significantly better on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Marquez, who was also the fastest driver in the second wet practice, last won pole position more than a thousand days ago in Japan.
This was his 63rd MotoGP pole position and comes shortly after his return from yet another serious injury.
“I’m quite pleased to be in first place today,” he said, adding that it was “extremely essential for me… to reach this modest goal.”
However, he cautioned, “Tomorrow in the dry will be an entirely different race and narrative.”
Aleix Espargaro, the best-placed of the three title contenders, finished sixth on the grid for Aprilia, while defending world champion Fabio Quartararo started ninth for Yamaha.
On his Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia, who has cut Quartararo’s championship lead to 10 points with five races remaining, finished a disappointing 12th.
‘No pressure’
There are only 17 points separating the top three contenders for the championship.
The Italian, who won last week in Aragon, referred to it as “another bad day.”
However, he is not abandoning his slim title prospects.
“I will make every effort to close the gap. I have many quick riders in front of me, allowing me to close this gap “he stated.
The day, however, was all about Marquez.
He finally returned to play last weekend after being sidelined since June, when he underwent surgery in the United States for a fractured right arm sustained in a crash in July 2020.
It was his fourth time undergoing surgery for the injury.
Marquez stated that he “can’t go full attack” on Sunday because to his physical condition, and he downplayed his chances of winning, but he is enjoying riding without pressure.
“No pressure means finishing in the second row is acceptable,” he remarked.
“However, I knew from this morning’s feeling (when he was fastest in practice) that he had a decent opportunity of qualifying well.”