MotoGP Portugal: Marquez returns to pole position at Aragon

MOTOGP: Marquez smashes Aragon lap record

After a dismal weekend at San Marino, Marc Marquez(1’47.187) returned to pole position at Aragon, setting a new fastest pole time along the way at the Spanish circuit.

Marquez's outing at the last MotoGP round at San Marino a fortnight ago didn't go according to his plan with an average fourth place result in qualifying followed by an unusual mistake on Sunday that dropped him to 15th at the chequered flag. But now that the Spaniard is back on the front of the grid, he may well lead from the start of the race and equal Mick Doohan’s all time record of 12 wins in a single season.

Meanwhile, Dani Pedrosa in the sister Honda qualified in second place for the 800th MotoGP race, with a laptime of 1'47.549.

Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone completed the front row of the grid in his new bike to relegate Tech 3 Yamaha of Pol Espargaro to fourth on the grid. Cal Crutchlow made his way from Q1 to qualify in fifth place and beat multiple MotoGP world champion and San Marino winner Valentino Rossi.

MOTO2: Vinales on pole

Former Moto3 champion Maverick Vinales came on top during the Moto2 qualifying, beating Caterham’s Johann Zarco to take his first ever position in the feeder series.

Mika Kallio, who has been on a roll with five consecutive podium finishes, was third fastest on a day when championship leader and Marc VDS teammate Esteve Rabat qualified in only fifth place.

MOTO3: Qualifying honours for Alex Rins

The three way battle for Moto3 is set to close even further with Alex Rins taking pole position for Sunday’s Moto3 race at Aragon. Rins, who is currently third in the championship, clocked the circuit in 1:58.318s to take the first spot on the grid from Danny Kent.

Championship leader Jack Miller could qualify in only fourth position on the grid, but crucially one place ahead of nearest title rival Alex Marquez.

All eyes will, however, remain on Rins who will be gunning for his third straight Moto3 victory.