MotoGP Motegi: Dovizioso takes surprise pole for Ducati

Andrea Dovizioso set a new lap record at Japan’s Motegi circuit to end Ducati’s pole drought in MotoGP.

The Italian lapped the Japanese circuit in 1’44.502 to upset compatriot Valentino Rossi who was on provisional pole before the final run. Rossi, like Dovizioso, improved on his final run but ended up with a time(1:44.557) that was just 0.055 seconds slower than pole position.

A Ducati has never started from pole position since Valencia MotoGP 2010 when Casey Stoner took the prime spot on the grid.

Dani Pedrosa crashed on his final flying lap but his previous time was enough to hand him the final spot on front row. His Honda teammate Marc Marquez qualified in only fourth place in a race where he could wrap up his MotoGP second title in as many seasons in the premier category.

Aragon winner Jorge Lorenzo and Pramac’s Andrea Iannone will join the Spaniard on the second row of the grid.

Pal Espargaro(Tech 3 Yamaha), Cal Crutchlow(Ducati) and Stefan Bradl(LCR Honda) will start from row three while Bradley Smith rounded up the top 10.

Aleix Espargaro who is set to drive for Suzuki next season on the return of Japanese manufacturer to MotoGP, qualified 11th ahead of Alvaro Bautista in the customer Honda.

MOTO2: RABAT SNATCHES POLE FROM LUTHI

Championship leader Esteve Rabat clinched his eighth pole position of the season at Motegi as he looks to extend his lead at the top of the standings in tomorrow’s Moto2 race.

Interwetten Sitag’s Thomas Luthi came within 0.033s of Rabat’s pole time of 1'50.854 to take the second spot on the grid. Caterham’s Johann Zarco will start from the front row of the grid for the third time in four races having lapped the Japanese circuit in 1:51.157 in his Suter.

Marc VDS’ Mika Kallio qualified in a disappointing fifth place on a day where his chief championship rival and teammate took pole position.

MOTO3: DANNY KENT TAKES FIRST POLE OF THE SEASON AS RINS AND MILLER CRASH

Red Bull Husqvarna rider Danny Kent took his first Moto3 pole position of the season at Japan’s Twin Motegi Circuit with a lap time of 1:56.555 in his rebadged KTM.

The Englishman has a strong record at the Japanese circuit having taken his first Moto3 win there in 2012. Niccolo Antonelli took his season equaling grid spot of second place while Britain’s John McPhee will start from the front row for the first time this season.

Mahindra’s Miguel Oliveira held provisional pole until times tumbled at the end of the session, slipping the Portuguese driver to fourth place.

Jack Miller and Alex Rins had major crashes in the Moto3 qualifying session but were able to get their bikes back on track to qualify in fifth and ninth respectively. Championship leader Alex Marquez failed to capitalise on his rivals crashes and will start the Japanese Moto3 race from a mediocre grid spot of seventh.

MOTOGP TOP 10 QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION:

1. Andrea Dovizioso Ducati 1'44.502
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1'44.557
3. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1'44.755
4. Marc Marquez Honda 1'44.775
5. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1'44.784
6. Andrea Iannone Pramac 1'44.854
7. Pol Espargaro Yamaha Tech 3 1'44.867
8. Cal Crutchlow Ducati 1'44.898
9. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 1'45.005
10. Bradley Smith Tech3 Yamaha 1'45.044