2014 Sepang MotoGP Qualifying Results
The 2014 MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez continued his record-setting ways Saturday during qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit, the final of three back-to-back races.
After earning pole for Sepang MotoGP, round 17 of 18, the Repsol Honda RC213V pilot has now amassed a career-total of 50 poles across all GP classes. But more importantly, he achieved 13 poles in a single premier-class season – a new record. Marquez tied the record with Casey Stoner and Mick Doohan for 12 poles in a single season after taking the pole last weekend at Phillip Island.
The 21-year-old Spaniard’s time was also a new pole record at Sepang, beating the record he set last season. Marquez posted a 1:59.791 around the 3.444-mile circuit containing 15 corners.
Qualifying second on the front row was Friday’s fastest rider and the man who has won at Sepang the last two years, teammate Dani Pedrosa, who was 0.182 of a second behind. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Jorge Lorenzo took the final front-row qualifying spot, finishing 0.412 of a second behind Marquez.
“I am very happy to have taken pole position, because the temperature out on track was very high and it was difficult to do such a good lap! The time was very good – better than I had expected – so I am delighted with how things went today. Let’s hope that tomorrow’s race is dry, but Dani looks to be a very strong candidate for the win; he has a great pace and we hope to be ready to fight with him from the opening lap!” Marquez says.
“I’m also happy to have broken the record. Maybe pole positions are somewhat insignificant because they don’t give you any points, but you achieve them by being the fastest rider over a single lap. That doesn’t mean that you will be the fastest in the race, of course, so the most important thing is what happens tomorrow.”
Qualifying on top of the second row was LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, who was followed by Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso – the final rider to post within a second of Marquez. Taking the final third-row position was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valenitno Rossi.
The third row consists of the top open-class rider so far this season, Aleix Espargaro (NGM Forward Racing), Cal Crutchlow (Ducati Team), and the rider who took his first-ever premier-class podium at Phillip Island, Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).
A few riders were injured Saturday. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro suffered a huge crash in the third free practice, breaking his left foot. His fitness to participate in Sunday’s GP will be assessed ahead of the race.
Pramac Racing Ducati’s Andrea Iannone will not start Sunday after he was declared unfit to ride Sunday. He crashed Friday, injuring his left arm. Though no bones were reported broken, the Italian struggled for strength in his arm.
For more, visit 2014 Sepang MotoGP Preview.
2014 Sepang MotoGP Qualifying Results:
Pos
|
Rider
|
Team
|
Qualifying Time
|
Gap
|
1
|
Marc MARQUEZ
|
Repsol Honda Team
|
1’59.791
|
|
2
|
Dani PEDROSA
|
Repsol Honda Team
|
1’59.973
|
0.182
|
3
|
Jorge LORENZO
|
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP
|
2’00.203
|
0.412
|
4
|
Stefan BRADL
|
LCR Honda MotoGP
|
2’00.472
|
0.681
|
5
|
Andrea DOVIZIOSO
|
Ducati Team
|
2’00.703
|
0.912
|
6
|
Valentino ROSSI
|
Movistar Yamaha Racing
|
2’00.740
|
0.949
|
7
|
Aleix ESPARGARO
|
NGM Forward Racing
|
2’00.801
|
1.010
|
8
|
Cal CRUTCHLOW
|
Ducati Team
|
2’01.119
|
1.328
|
9
|
Bradley Smith
|
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
|
2’01.263
|
1.472
|
10
|
Alvaro BAUTISTA
|
GO&FUN Honda Gresini
|
2’02.294
|
2.503
|
11
|
Hiroshi AOYAMA
|
Drive M7 Aspar
|
2’10.568
|
10.777
|
12
|
Pol ESPARGARO
|
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
|
No time set
|