Marquez defies technical gremlins to take pole in Austin

Author: Oli Rushby Posted: 11 Apr 2015

Marc Marquez has stormed to his first pole position of the season, despite his bike breaking down in the closing moments of this afternoon’s qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas.

Andrea Iannone and Maverick Vinales were quickest in Q1 to secure their laps in the 15-minute shoot out for pole.  

Marquez led the way after riders’ first runs in Q2, but drama struck for the Spaniard with three minutes to go as his bike seized up on the start finish straight. He pulled up, left the RC213V by pit wall and ran back to his box to take out his second bike.

Crutchlow was the first to lap under the lap record, putting the CWM LCR Honda momentarily on pole before Lorenzo pipped him on the Yamaha. However, it looked as though Andrea Dovizioso would take the top spot as he crossed the line with 30 seconds remaining with a fastest lap of 2’02.474.

Determined not to let his technical gremlins hold him back, Marquez fought hard on his one flying lap with his second bike in the closing stages to trash his own lap record to take pole with a 2’02.135. 

Dovizioso remained second with Lorenzo third, Rossi set a time good enough to start fourth with Brits Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding rounding out the second row.

Iannone leads the third row ahead of Espargaro brothers Aleix and Pol, with Bradley Smith, Danilo Petrucci and Maverick Vinales on row four.

A strong grid position could prove essential for tomorrow's race as rain is forecast throughout the day. 

MotoGP Austin - Qualifying Times

1. Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – 2’02.135
2. Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – 2’02.474
3. Jorge Lorenzo – Movistar Yamaha – 2’02.540
4. Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha – 2’02.573
5. Cal Crutchlow – CWM LCR Honda – 2’02.613
6. Scott Redding – Estrella Galicia Marc VDS Honda – 2’02.674
7. Andrea Iannone – Ducati Team – 2’02.792
8. Aleix Espargaro – Ecstar Suzuki – 2’02.869
9. Pol Espargaro – Monster Tech 3 Yamaha – 2’03.161
10. Bradley Smith – Monster Tech 3 Yamaha – 2’03.440
11. Danilo Petrucci – Pramac Racing – 2’03.741
12. Maverick Vinales – Ecstar Suzuki – 2’03.754