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When the going gets tough, Marc Marquez flexes his muscles. The Spanish rider put on a show of force to ensure that he will start from the front row for the fifth time in a row. He was the star of the Austin qualifiers, stopping the clock at a time of 2’02”741. Number 93 was a true steamroller, dropping below the 2’04” mark from the first lap he did.
For him it was not such a simple and ordinary task, because in his last attempt, Viñales had managed to snatch the pole from him. The five-time world champion, however, responded immediately, laying all his cards on the table: “I did not think I would take pole because the Yamaha is very competitive with the new tyre - Marc explained - I think I have a competitive race pace. During these days, we took one step at a time and our sensations have improved.”
All the number 25 Yamaha rider can do is console himself with the second best time. The Spaniard (+0.130) struggles in the central sector where he leaves precious tenths on the tarmac, whereas he shows his strength in the initial sector and especially in the final sector: “I thought I had taken pole position - he commented - but I saw that Marc had Rossi ahead of him in the finale and so consequently he was able to push harder.” As for the race: “Tomorrow we have a good chance to battle for the win - he added - It is hard to make a prediction in terms of race pace. We’ll see tomorrow in the warm-up.”
Besides the Marquez-Viñales head to head, the Texas qualifiers had Maverick and Valentino crossing swords. The two narrowly avoided contact, so much that the Spaniard reacted by making a gesture of annoyance with the Doctor. The latter explained: “To be honest, I’m not sure what happened. I’ll speak with him later.” In the parc fermé the two chatted and everything was concluded with a handshake.
Valentino is also on the front row, just as he was a year ago. However, his gap is close to one second (+0.932): “It is always difficult to come up with a strategy on a long track - number 46 explained - In fact, it happens that you run into traffic. With a clean lap I knew that I could do well and I am satisfied.”
Behind him is Daniel Pedrosa (+1.125), 62 thousandths faster than Zarco’s Tech3 Yamaha, whereas Jorge Lorenzo is showing signs of a comeback (+1.410). His was the fastest Ducati in qualifying, so much that he finished with the sixth best time ahead of Andrea Dovizioso (+1.690). Back at the garage, the Majorcan allowed himself a moment of celebration, receiving an embrace from Paolo Ciabatti.
Alongside Dovizioso is the Yamaha Tech3 ridden by Jonas Folger (+1.882), just ahead of Crutchlow’s Honda LCR (+1.920), victim of a crash at the beginning, followed by Scott Redding on his Pramac Ducati. Andrea Iannone finished in eleventh place (+3.000) and he also ended up in the gravel during the first few minutes, the same fate as Jack Miller.
