Jorge Martin storms to MotoGP pole in Indonesian GP ahead of Marco Bezzecchi by 0.535s margin, with Pedro Acosta in third.
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) has sealed an incredible pole position at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, with the #89 destroying the all-time lap record – setting a 1:29.088. ‘The Martinator’ stunned the field with a magical first run of the session and will start ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with the Italian crashing at Turn 16 before remounting and landing second on the grid. Bezzecchi was 0.535s adrift from Martin’s time in an action-packed session, which saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) grab the final spot on the front row – qualifying third.
Lap records demolished in Q2
It was a dramatic Q1 session, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) suffering a fall at Turn 1 before Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) crashed on his final flying lap. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was able to secure top honours in Q1, clocking a stunning 1:29.995, with Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez joining the Frenchman in Q2. In the opening stages of Q2, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed as Martin grabbed top honours after the Spaniard broke into the low 1:29 bracket.
Heading into the final run, reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was among the riders who had yet to set a time due to yellow flags. Marc Marquez would suffer a second crash in Q2, with Bagnaia and Acosta soon leaping onto the front row. Bezzecchi soon had a fall, crashing in the final sector before the #72 remounted and clocked a stunning time.
Bagnaia on the second row
Heading the second row of the grid for the Indonesian GP will be reigning World Champion Bagnaia, with the Italian taking fourth on the grid after a strong time on his second run. The #1 starts ahead of teammate Bastianini, who was able to place fifth after remounting from his earlier crash. Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team) took sixth, placing on the second row after a stunning performance from the Frenchman.
Zarco will head the third row of the grid after an impressive ride from the #5, who was able to charge from Q1 to seventh on the grid. Zarco’s time on his first run would be strong enough to start ahead of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. The Italian starts in eight and ahead of compatriot Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who was unable to find further time to place better than ninth.
Further back, Marc Marquez will start from 12th on the grid, with the eight-time World Champion unable to set a time in Q2 after his two crashes. The #93 had a tough day and now has some work to do at the start of the Tissot Sprint and on Sunday. Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder will start from 19th after the #33 suffered an issue with his rear brake on his final run in Q1 – unable to improve on his time.
Result: https://x.com/MotoGP/status/1839874260480749823
[Note: The story is as per press release]
