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MotoGP Misano 2023 qualifying result: Martin’s first pole position of 2023

September 9, 2023 11:04 am

Jorge Martin claimed pole position in the MotoGP Misano 2023 qualifying.
Photo by Gold and Goose / Icon Sport

For the first time since claiming three consecutive pole positions on the back end of last season, Jorge Martin was the fastest rider in qualifying. He will start both races from the top, with Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia joining him on the front row of the grid.

MotoGP Misano 2023 Practice recap

Still in pain after a hand injury in the first-corner crash at Barcelona, Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest lap in practice and was the first of the top ten riders that earned promotion to Q2. The Italian, who grew up around fifteen kilometers from the Misano circuit, was more than a tenth clear of second-placed Maverick Vinales.

There was a surprise in third position, which went the way of Dani Pedrosa, on his second wildcard appearance of the season, ahead of Jorge Martin and Luca Marini. Marc Marquez dragged his Honda up to sixth, one position of Francesco Bagnaia, who is still struggling to ride as a result of his horrifying crash last Sunday.

The top ten was completed by Alex Marquez, Brad Binder and Raul Fernandez, the latter of whom looks to be on form at Misano. Pol Espargaro missed the cut by 24 thousandths of a second, while Aleix crashed on his final effort and also stayed outside the top ten. He would have to battle with the likes of Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller and Johann Zarco for a spot in the top two in Q1.

MotoGP Misano 2023 Qualifying 1: Aprilias on top

The first segment of qualifying was an all-Aprilia affair, as the two remaining bikes of the manufacturer from Noale also joined the Q2 session. Miguel Oliveira topped the session by one and a half tenths of a second from Aleix Espargaro. The winner of the last race gained promotion as he beat Fabio Quartararo by 38 thousandths of a second.

A pair of wildcards followed, with Michele Pirro and Stefan Bradl from Ducati and Honda respectively. Johann Zarco and Jack Miller were the big disappointments, as they will only start from the sixth row of the grid, just in front of Franco Morbidelli. Pol Espargaro was last after a pair of crashes in the fifteen-minute session. Takumi Takahashi did not get to qualify, as he was way too slow.

MotoGP Misano 2023 Qualifying 2: Martin leads an all-Ducati front row

For the first time in 2023, Jorge Martin has qualified on pole position, in a dominant display. He outqualified the field by four tenths of a second, having recorded his fastest lap, a new track record, early on his second run. A pair of injured riders followed, with Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia fighting through the pain to make it on the front row of the grid.

Maverick Vinales was fourth, ahead of the top KTM. That was none other than its wildcard rider, Dani Pedrosa! The 37-year-old is making his second appearance of this season and his pace was a positive surprise. Aleix Espargaro made it from Q1 to sixth on the grid, barely ahead of Brad Binder.

Luca Marini also competes just a few kilometers away from his home town and qualified eighth. Marc Marquez achieved his best result in a while with ninth and he was followed by Miguel Oliveira, Alex Marquez and Raul Fernandez, all with close gaps splitting them.

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