MotoGP: Jorge Martin grabs surprise pole for Styrian GP

Bengaluru, August 6: Jorge Martin grabbed a surprise pole for Styrian GP as the 2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship resumed after the mid-summer break.

Despite the Pramac Racing rider's extraordinary time, he had less than a tenth to spare over Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).

Martin carved out his own little piece of history as his 1:22.994 not only sealed his second pole of the year, but set a new lap record around the Red Bull Ring.

It was a good day for Ducati with Martin and Bagnaia first and second with Jack Miller and Johann Zarco, who finished fourth and sixth respectively, not far behind.

FIM MotoGP world champion Joan Mir will start fifth for Suzuki Ecstar.

Meanwhile, seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, who announced earlier this week that he would retire at the end of this season, will start 17th.

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Multiple world champion Marc Marquez, who made a welcome return to the FIM MotoGP World Championship paddock, after having recovered from injury, will start eighth while his Repsol Honda team-mate will start 15th.

Clear conditions across the day saw lap times tumble around the Red Bull Ring as the FIM MotoGP World Championship battled it out first for a spot in the top ten and then for pole later in the day.

The Red Bull Ring produced a blistering Q2 session as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Quartararo initially emerged a strong contender for pole.

Though his fastest time was cancelled due to exceeding track limits, he still secured third place on the grid for the ninth time out of ten GPs so far this season while his team-mate Maverick Vinales, who had a fierce start to Q2, ultimately ended up ninth place on the grid.

A stunning lap from @88jorgemartin has given him some serious confidence 💪

Hear what the #MotoGP rookie had to say following his record breaking qualifier 🔥#StyrianGP 🏁 | 🎥https://t.co/zgkRRcfipl

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 7, 2021

Top 10 Qualifiers:

1. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) - 1:22.994
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.044
3. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 0.081
4. Jack Miller (Ducati lenovo Team) + 0.306
5. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.328
6. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 0.382
7. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) + 0.454
8. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.495
9. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 0.514
10. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) + 0.542