MotoGP Austria Qualifying: Jorge Martin destroys lap record to take double pole

August 14, 2021 EMR Writer

Jorge Martin comes from Q1 to take a stunning pole position.

MotoGP once again proves that it’s not over until the fat lady sings, the clock showed 0:00 seconds to go with Fabio Quartararo in provisional pole position following an unbelievable lap time with nine minutes remaining to lead the session, many felt his stunning lap record wouldn’t be beaten, but Jorge Martin had other ideas. Coming through from Q1 with a fairly impressive lap time, last times winner stormed his way to pole position with a helping hand from his teammate Johann Zarco who gave him a little tow to hand Martin a stunning pole position on merit.

Fabio Quartararo continues to stun many on his Yamaha which is absolutely not expected to be quick in Austria with Fabio being advised in Assen to limit damage to the championship lead in these two races, the Frenchman had other ideas however and is banging in lap times worthy of a lap record (until they are beaten), he’s a strong contender for the race tomorrow alongside Jorge Martin. Martin wasn’t expected to be able to repeat last weeks incredible performances again this weekend but of course, this is MotoGP and nobody is ever satisfied with Martin going one better taking pole position beating his own lap record.

Francesco Bagnaia took third place on the grid, unable to string together a lap worthy of attacking the front two riders but still impressive as always, Pecco is aiming for his first win tomorrow after being robbed last week due to a defective tyre, he leads another rider desperate to take a victory this weekend. Johann Zarco missed the front row by a tiny 0.057 seconds but has had a fairly impressive weekend setting the now broken lap record on Friday before this was beaten today, it’s understood that he was very disappointed to not win Pramac Ducati’s first race, but he will want to win their second.

In fifth place Marc Marquez and Jack Miller put in some strong laps to start from the second row with Marquez fully on the limit in the last few corners, looking like he was about to crash as we normally expect from the eight-time world champion, Jack Miller’s strong P6 means there are four Ducati’s in the top six, proving they are the dominant bike here in Austria.

Joan Mir took advantage of his ride height device to start from the third row, his strategy failing a little and he was clearly very angry as he left himself without a new tyre and 3 minutes left to ride on track meaning he couldn’t contest for pole position with a tyre change. He led Aleix Espargaro and Miguel Oliveira in P9 ahead of his teammate Brad Binder.

Q2 Results –