Bezzecchi claims Qatar pole with a new Lusail record
Marco Bezzecchi took pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix after twice breaking the Lusail lap record. Marc Marquez qualified second and Fabio Di Giannantonio completed the front row. Jorge Martin will start 11th after abandoning his final attempt, leaving him behind both rivals as Marquez approaches a possible title clincher.
Sports··Evening
Bezzecchi leads the final qualifying session
Italian motorcycle racer Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail, Qatar, with an Aprilia lap of 1:50.028. He lowered the circuit record twice during the final qualifying session. Ducati’s Marc Marquez finished 0.266 seconds behind in second place. Fabio Di Giannantonio, riding for VR46, completed the front row after leading Friday practice. Bezzecchi initially lapped in 1:50.065; his subsequent improvement took another 0.037 seconds off that time.[1], [2]
Martin abandons his final attempt
Bezzecchi’s Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin remained 11th. He encountered Pedro Acosta closer than he wanted in the final sector and abandoned his last flying lap. Raul Fernandez qualified fourth after a major moment spoiled his final effort. Francesco Bagnaia and Ai Ogura completed the second row. Johann Zarco headed the third row, followed by Acosta and Fermin Aldeguer. The latter two had advanced through the opening qualifying session, which Aldeguer topped. Enea Bastianini took tenth; Brad Binder was 12th after an early crash and was reported unhurt.[1]
Marquez has a route to the title
Bezzecchi entered the weekend 67 points behind the championship leader. Marquez needs to score 30 points more than Martin and eight more than Bezzecchi across the weekend to secure the championship. A five-point gain over Martin in the Sprint would give him an opportunity to clinch on Sunday. In qualifying, Marquez improved through the opening two sectors of his last run but lost time in the third, leaving Bezzecchi ahead on the grid.[1]
