Jorge Martin secures pole position ahead of Francesco Bagnaia with a new lap record – Marc Marquez third – Jack Miller best KTM rider in fifth
The two top favorites have decided the pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix between them. In an exciting time chase, Jorge Martin (Pramac-Ducati) secured the best grid position ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati). Unsurprisingly, three Ducati riders will start from the front row at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Marc Marquez from the Gresini team secured third place.
In sunshine, but slightly cooler temperatures than Friday afternoon, qualifying turned into a record-breaking race. On the very first attempt, three riders fell short of the lap record on the current layout with the chicane between turns 1 and 3.
When it counted in the end, Martin set a time of 1:27.748 minutes. Bagnaia also broke the mark of 1:28 minutes, but remained 0.141 seconds above Martin’s new lap record. It was the Spaniard’s fifth pole position of the current season.
A bandage on the thumb of his left hand could not stop Martin. On Friday evening, he suffered a cut while showering. “I thought it would get better, but it was pretty painful this morning,” reported the world championship leader.
“I got stitches and I can ride. So I was able to work well in the morning, even if it did affect me a little. We changed a lot on the bike and now to set this record here and celebrate my third MotoGP pole on this track shows that it suits me. “
Gritting his teeth and clocking a 1:27.748!!! @88jorgemartin puts it on provisional pole with a NEW ALL-TIME LAP RECORD AustrianGP pic. twitter.com/lzUZC9AU6J
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) August 17, 2024
Despite the narrow defeat, Bagnaia, who is three points behind in the World Championship, was not disappointed: “What Jorge and I have done here is fantastic!” I saw that he did a 1:27.7, but for my part I was so happy with 1:27.8.”
First to chase the world championship rivals was Marc Marquez, who was unable to ride under 1:28 on last year’s bike. “We are on target,” nods the multiple world champion, who has never won in Spielberg.
@marcmarquez93 has secured a front-row start!
He’s 0.052s ahead of @AleixEspargaro ⏱️AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/AQK3s8qO16
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) August 17, 2024
“We tried to find a good basis and today I mainly worked on consistency. I didn’t expect to be on the front row, I was thinking more of row two. But I rode the last lap completely alone and I felt very good. The lap time was there. “
Aprilia and KTM on row two
Aleix Espargaro salvaged a difficult weekend so far for Aprilia with fourth place on the grid. His team-mate Maverick Vinales confirmed the good performance of the RS-GP in the time attack with sixth place.
Between the two Aprilia riders, Jack Miller was the best KTM rider in fifth. Silverstone dominator Enea Bastianini (Ducati) has not played a role at the front so far in Spielberg and finished seventh
A tough one to swallow on a potential front-row lap @polespargaro goes down AustrianGP pic. twitter.com/1rly2NVaSk
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) August 17, 2024
The two Ducati riders Franco Morbidelli (Pramac) and Marco Bezzecchi (VR46) followed. Wildcard starter Pol Espargaro (KTM) crashed in his last attempt three and a half minutes before the end in turn 3 and was annoyed about his mistake.
The younger Espargaro will tackle his second Grand Prix of the year from tenth on the grid. Alex Marquez (Gresini-Ducati) and Brad Binder (KTM) completed the fourth row. The weather could be changeable on Sunday in the Styrian Murtal
Pedro Acosta not in Q2 for the first time
Under the watchful eye of boss Stefan Pierer, four KTM riders were under pressure in the first section. Miller set the best Q1 time with a 1:28.567 minutes. Test rider Pol Espargaro secured second place.
Pol Espargaro rode the upgraded RC16. This included a new engine upgrade, a new exhaust system and revised aerodynamics. Qualifying did not go according to plan for rookie Pedro Acosta (Tech3-GasGas)
IT CAN’T GET ANY CLOSER! @polespargaro – 1:28.635@_moliveira88 – also 1:28.635
The Portuguese rider has to settle for third with the exact same time the @KTM_Racing wildcard clocked AustrianGP pic. twitter.com/yXaYgRTTsQ
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) August 17, 2024
After his three crashes on Friday, the Spaniard attacked, but he was a wafer-thin 0.092 seconds off Miller’s Q1 best time. As a result, Acosta only finished fourth behind Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse-Aprilia), who was on the same time as Pol Espargaro.
This was the first time in MotoGP that Acosta did not make it into Q2. Accordingly, he has never started as far back as he did from 14th place. The best Yamaha rider was Fabio Quartararo in 15th, while Honda spearhead Johann Zarco (LCR) was 17th
Gutted @37_pedroacosta misses out ❌AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/tdpUCAiDfB
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) August 17, 2024
At the back of the field was the duel between the other two test riders. German Stefan Bradl (Honda) kept Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) at bay and will start penultimate. With the three wildcards, the field is 24 riders. One regular rider is missing.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46-Ducati) dislocated his left shoulder in a crash during Friday practice and will not be able to ride. On Saturday he was seen in the paddock with his arm in a sling
