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Marc Marquez is the magic man, for whom nothing is impossible. It comes down to point of view, but the Spaniard is always able to leave us open-mouthed. He did so yesterday, with a save that went beyond the limits of physics, and did it again today, beating Lorenzo's record time to snatch pole, even able to pass Valentino on his flying lap.
MARQUEZ: UNEXPECTED POLE - “To be honest, I didn't expect this pole - he admits - Honda is losing a tenth with each acceleration, but you can get round that disadvantage with a slipstream”. Luck rewarded him, "I was able to take advantage of Valentino's and Pol Espargaro's slipstream, they helped me and I was able to make an almost perfect lap”.
Passing Valentino in the process.
“I saw that Rossi was preparing for the next lap, but if I'd done as he did I'd have lost too much time and so I squeezed through”, the right move. For him.
ROSSI: RING-ROAD TRAFFIC - “I didn't express my potential - complains Valentino - My ideal time gave me front row. On my first exit, I'd put on the hard front tyre, a choice which came down to quantity, I knew I could take half a second off during my second exit but I found myself in ring-road type traffic”.
Fate had different ideas though.
“I had Pol in front of me, I was preparing for my last lap but Marquez got past me and I lost two laps - he explains - I'm pleased with my speed, but not with the second row, with Aleix and Barbera in front of me it'll be more difficult”.
As if the unknowns were not already enough.
“I have good pace, but there will be many question marks tomorrow. The first is whether it will be wet or dry and, if it doesn't rain, the temperature. The choice re the front tyre is open, all three have pros and cons”, he muses.
LORENZO: I THOUGHT I'D BE QUICKER - Marquez also put paid to Lorenzo's plans; Jorge thought he'd got the pole but he nevertheless compliments his fellow countryman: “I know Marc is one of the strongest when it comes to the flying lap, he made an impressive lap and I wasn't perfect on my second exit, I thought I could be quicker”.
The Majorcan takes responsibility, but can sleep soundly considering his pace. As long as he doesn't hear thunder outside his motorhome tonight: “if it rains tomorrow, it'll be another story”.
IANNONE: PACE BETTER THAN HIS FAST LAP - The winner of the Austrian GP is pleased to be on the front row, something he didn't expect. “It wasn't a given - he emphasises - we were able to do more than our potential indicated. I find it easier to maintain good pace than complete a flying lap”.
Good news in terms of the race.
“We're struggling more than in Austria but have worked well - he says - Marquez, Lorenzo, Rossi and I have the best pace”.
Things went less well for Dovizioso, 7th and slowed down on his first exit by a defective front tyre.
