The Australian Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling affair after Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing secured pole position with an impressive performance in qualifying. Martin, who leads the World Championship, secured his third consecutive pole at Phillip Island and his sixth of the season, setting a blistering time of one minute 27.296. This gave him a significant advantage of almost six-tenths of a second over six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who had dominated the practice sessions.
The qualifying session saw a fierce battle for the top spots, with Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales claiming third place with a time of one minute 27.991, completing an all-Spanish front row. Marco Bezzecchi of VR46 Racing finished in fourth place.
Adding to the anticipation for Sunday’s race, two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati, who trails Martin by 10 points in the championship standings, finished fifth after a delayed second run due to a slow tire change.
Speaking after qualifying, Martin expressed his delight with his performance and acknowledged the challenge of the race ahead. “For sure, today was a tricky day, with the wind it was drying fast, and we didn’t know what to expect in the track,” Martin said. “Finally, I was able to improve in the second run. The race will be tough with Marc behind me, but I think we are the best in terms of pace so let’s go for a good one.”
With Martin and Marquez set to lead the pack, the Australian Grand Prix promises to be a nail-biting contest. The battle for the championship lead will also add another layer of excitement to the race, as Bagnaia looks to close the gap on Martin. The stage is set for an epic showdown at Phillip Island, with the world’s best riders ready to push their limits and thrill the fans.
