Spaniard Marc Márquez (Honda) continued to be invincible this Saturday at the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas by signing his seventh pole in a row in Austin, Texas.
Márquez, winner of the race in the last six years, crossed the finish line with a best time of 2 minutes 03 seconds and 787 thousandths ahead of the Italian Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), at 273 thousandths, and the British Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), at 360.
The Spanish Maverick Viñales (Yamaha), author of the best times in the first two free trials on Friday, had to settle for sixth place, 702 thousandths behind the leader, while his compatriot Pol Espargaró (KTM) surprised with fifth place with a time of 2: 04.472.
Marquez has had no mercy on his opponents at the Circuit of the Americas, having won the last six races there.
In 2018, he took pole before receiving a three-place penalty for hindering Viñales but took the lead on the first lap and dominated the event from start to finish.
The qualifications were able to unfold in the sun after the third free trials had to be suspended in the morning due to rain and the risk of storms.
“It was a strange day without the third free trials but we still need to work on the bike for the race as the others are going to push hard from behind,” warned the current world champion.
However, Márquez has the advantage of knowing he is unbeatable on the Texas course, one that perfectly suits his aggressive riding style.
His main rival, apparently in the last race and this Saturday, will be Rossi, with whom he reconciled at the last Argentine Grand Prix after months of clashes between the two.
«I am very happy to be in the first line. It is very important here. It was difficult to wait all morning but I have a good bike, very balanced, “stressed the nine-time champion, who has never won in Austin.
«Now it will be necessary to choose the tires well. Everything seems very open, “added the Yamaha.
In Moto2, German Marcel Schrötter (Honda) will start first, ahead of Marc’s brother, Alex Márquez (Kalex) and Briton Sam Lowes (Kalex) while, in Moto3, Italian Niccollo Antonelli (Honda) took pole ahead of the Spanish Raúl Fernández (KTM) and the Argentine Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda).