Qualifying at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan gave us an indication that we are set for a magnificent Twin Ring Motegi battle on Sunday. So, if Q2 wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, here are 10 stats to give you even more reason to tune in:
- Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) starts from pole position for the second time this season, the seventh time in the premier class and the 20th on what is the 291st start of his Grand Prix career.
- This is Dovizioso’s third pole position at the Twin Ring Motegi, along with 2010, riding a Honda, and 2014 with Ducati.
- Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), who was on pole position last year at Motegi, has qualified in second on the grid as the highest-placed rider from an Independent Team, which is his best qualifying result since he was on pole at the French Grand Prix earlier this season.
- Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) completes the first row on the grid, which is his third front row start in the MotoGP™ class – and of the year – so far.
- Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) heads the second row on the grid. This is Crutchlow’s best qualifying result at Motegi since he was the third-fastest qualifier in 2012.
- Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) starts from the middle of the second row, which is the best qualifying result for a Suzuki rider at Motegi since Chris Vermeulen was fourth on the grid back in 2009.
- Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has qualified in sixth on the grid, equalling his worst qualifying result of the year along with Argentina and Italy. Marquez has only won three times after qualifying out of the top three (Valencia/2014, Aragon/2017 and Spain/2018).
- Marquez could clinch his fifth MotoGP™ title if he scores points and finished ahead of Dovizioso and he doesn’t concede more than two points to the Ducati rider, and 24 to Valentino Rossi.
- Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completes the third row on the grid, which is the 10th time this year he has failed to qualify on the first two rows of the grid.
- Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who is the most successful rider at Motegi with five wins across all classes, is 11th on the grid and could be one to watch...