Bagnaia Sets New Lap Record to Secure Pole Position in Japan

Francesco Bagnaia, the two-time MotoGP champion, achieved a remarkable feat by securing pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday. The Ducati rider set a new lap record with a time of 1 minute and 42.911 seconds, showcasing his speed and skill on the track in Motegi.

Impressive Qualifying Performance

The 28-year-old Italian rider’s performance was particularly impressive given the mostly sunny conditions. His closest competitor, Joan Mir, the 2020 MotoGP champion, qualified second, while current championship leader Marc Marquez rounded out the front row in third place.

Bagnaia expressed his excitement after the qualifying session, stating, “Happy. It’s incredible, the feeling I’m having. I feel that I can push. I feel I can do what I want with my bike; it’s something that I was missing from last year. I’m super happy with it.” This pole position marks Bagnaia’s second of the season, following his first at the Czech Republic Grand Prix in July 2023.

Championship Standings and Future Implications

As the championship leader, Marquez holds 512 points, with his younger brother, Alex Marquez, in second place with 330 points. The upcoming sprint race later on Saturday presents Marquez with an opportunity to edge closer to his seventh MotoGP title.

Marquez commented on his performance, acknowledging that the journey has had its challenges: “Nobody said it was going to be easy. It’s feeling better and better. We had a small crash in FP3 which affected the confidence a bit, but in quali I felt comfortable on the bike.” Meanwhile, reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin faced difficulties, starting from 17th on the grid after failing to advance to Q2.

As the riders prepare for the race, the atmosphere in Motegi is charged with anticipation, with Bagnaia aiming to convert his pole position into a race victory and Marquez looking to maintain his championship lead.