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Just a few years ago Jorge Martin was a boy with many dreams who was lucky enough to train with Vinales, tomorrow he will be in the front row with him at the start of the Doha GP. In just his second race in MotoGP, the Spaniard from the Pramac team has already taken his first pole position, a result that two names of the calibre as Stoner and Marquez achieved in the past.
"I want to thank my family and the team, I've only been with them for a month and I already feel at home - he said - As a child, Maverick and Aleix Espargarò helped me a lot, they came to pick me up at home and lent me their bikes, because I didn't have the money to buy them. Training with them, with two MotoGP riders, helped me a lot to improve ”.
The result could be seen on the track…
"I'm honest, my goal was the third row, ninth place would have been good for me already - he continued - Yesterday I felt good on the bike and today I didn't lap in FP3 because, with all that wind, I was afraid to just make confusion. In FP4 I felt great, as in the first run in qualifying. Before the second, I told my crew chief that I could improve by 3 tenths, but I didn't think I would take pole. Being able to do it in my second MotoGP race is incredible. But it's only Saturday, the hard part will come tomorrow ”.
This doesn't mean that Martin might not be a surprise, even if he is the first to play down all expectations…
“Tomorrow it will be the time to be a rookie again, of course if I could win with a 20-second advantage I would, but I don't think it will be possible. I don't feel pressure or even have the potential to win. It's true that anything can happen in the race, but above all I want to be able to learn from the best and beat them when I'm ready, this is not the time. I'm not setting out to win, but with the aim of not making mistakes and being consistent. If we can fight for a top six that’d be great and I will be super happy.”
For sure Jorge learns quickly…
“It's nice to ride this bike. I thought it was more difficult, it's like it's all on another level, better. Even in qualifying: I was on the limit but I didn't go crazy. But now I need to do a lot of kilometres and gain experience above all, it's the little things that put together bring you a great result ”.
Johann Zarco: "I thought I was on pole, but this is the perfect result for the Pramac team"
After the pole position, all the members of Martin's old teams (Gresini, Aspar, KTM) went to congratulate him. Even Zarco was not too disappointed to have been edged out by his teammate: “When I crossed the finish line I expected to be on pole. But when I understood it was the 89 on pole, my teammate, I was a bit surprised. I’m happy anyway because it’s all going too perfect for Pramac team, first and second and it’s just happiness to take.”
There will be time for the rematch tomorrow, in the race…
"Seeing Jorge's start last Sunday, I think he will be in the lead at the first corner and there he will understand what it means to lead a MotoGP race – was the Frenchman's prediction - It will be interesting to follow him, when you go so fast in qualifying it means you are not crazy".
The biggest danger for Johann, however, will be Vinales…
"Starting from the front row with the Ducati is certainly an advantage, but I think Maverick has better pace than us at the moment - he admitted - In free practice, however, I tried something interesting and I hope it will allow me to take a step forward in the race, to improve my feelings, but it's hard to say today ”.
After second place last Sunday, Zarco seems ready to aim for the victory…
“If I were the surprise of this season I would be the first to be happy - he said - I have been through some difficult moments, but now I have a good experience, the bike is fine, the team is perfect and Ducati gives me great support. I know our bike is good here in Qatar and I want to take advantage of this opportunity. My goal is to repeat Miller's performance in the second half of last season, fighting for the podium and victory. After a year on the Ducati, I immediately felt better starting from the tests. The key thing is to be able to manage tyres and energy, what I missed last Sunday in the last 4 or 5 laps ”.
