Agencies
Buriram (Thailand)
Marco Bezzecchi snatched a maiden MotoGP pole for himself and Valentino Rossi’s team after beating Jorge Martin by 0.021s in a thrilling Thailand Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday.
The rookie Italian has shown flashes of speed throughout 2022, guiding his 2021-spec Ducati to the front row in a wet/dry qualifying at Mugello and taking a maiden podium at Assen prior to the summer break.
In a tight qualifying at Buriram, Bezzecchi smashed the existing lap record to claim his first pole in the premier class with a 1m29.671s.
The 15-minute pole shootout session got underway in dry conditions with Bezzecchi’s VR46 teammate Luca Marini setting the reference lap with a 1m31.747s.
That only stood as the fastest lap for a few seconds as Jack Miller shot to the top of the order with a 1m30.270s, which he bettered moments later with a 1m30.106s.
The Motegi race-winner was unable to complete the session, however, as an issue on the rear of his Ducati as he exited his garage for his second run in the closing stages forced him back into his box.
Teammate Francesco Bagnaia was only ninth at the end of the opening run, with Pramac’s Jorge Martin leading the way after posting a 1m29.893s moments after Miller had gone top.
When he returned to the circuit for his second run on fresh soft rubber, Bagnaia – who goes into Sunday’s race 18 points behind championship leader Fabio Quartararo – deposed Martin with a 1m29.775s.
Starting grid for the Thai MotoGP
Front row: 1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46), 2. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac), 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati)
Second row: 4. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha), 5. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Pramac), 6. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati-Gresini)
Third row: 7. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati), 8. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda), 9. Luca Marini (ITA/Ducati-VR46)
Fourth row: 10. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki), 11. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM), 12. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM)
Fifth row: 13. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia), 14. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha), 15. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Yamaha-RNF).
