JORGE Martin took pole at the Qatar GP opening the 2024 MotoGP season, while Marc Marquez was sixth in his Ducati debut.
Martin, who strengthens Prima Pramac Racing, recorded a time of 1 minute 50.789 seconds on his first lap in the qualifying session to win pole with a difference of 0.083 seconds from Aprilia racer, Aleix Espargaro in second position.
Enea Bastianini from another Ducati team claimed third position on the front row with a time of 1 minute 50.875 seconds followed by Brad Binder.
Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez finished sixth and was the last rider to break the 1m51 barrier in qualifying.
Last year’s Qatar GP winner, Fabio Di Giannantonio, trailed in seventh position. Tech3 GasGas rookie Pedro Acosta was eighth in his first MotoGP qualifying.
Acosta is ahead of Alex Marquez from Gresini in 10th position, Mevericks Vinales from Aprilia in 11th position and Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse in 12th position.
Meanwhile Fabio Quartararo could only manage the 15th fastest time in a frustrating session for Yamaha, with new teammate Alex Rins 20th after dragging his M1 back to the garage with mechanical problems at the end of Q1.
Factory Honda racer Joan Mir is 17th on the grid for the opening round of the season. His teammate, Luca Marini had an even more miserable day as he finished in 21st position. (Motorsport/Z-6)
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