MotoGP World Champion Marquez captures record-breaking 13th pole
MotoGP pole position at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix went to Marc Marquez, who notched a new premier class record 13th pole of the year. Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo join him on the front row after the Q2 battle.
Marquez (Repsol Honda) set a record-breaking time of 1:59.791s to secure pole ahead of teammate Pedrosa who was 0.182s slower. The front row was completed by Lorenzo who set a 2:00.203s best lap.
For full Q2 results from Sepang click here.
Marquez is the first rider below the 2:00 mark on a race weekend at Sepang. This also marks his 50th career pole and 13th of the season, setting a new record.
Stefan Bradl and Andrea Dovizioso both qualified on the second row of the grid, both within a second of Marquez's blistering lap.
Valentino Rossi, Aleix Espargaro, Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith and Alvaro Bautista completed the top 10.
Pol Espargaro qualified in 12th having advanced to Q2 but then being unfit to participate due to a big FP3 crash, which saw him break a bone in his left foot. His fitness to race will be assessed on Sunday morning.
Hiroshi Aoyama fell early in the Q2 session having advanced from Q1. The Japanese rider still qualified in 11th due to Pol Espargaro not taking part.
Andrea Iannone will miss the Malaysian Grand Prix after being declared unfit earlier in the day due to left arm injuries suffered in his Friday crash.
