- 2017-10-15
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ MotoGP Motegi: Johann Zarco Takes Pole Position at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan
The Round 15 on MotoGP 2017, Motegi Grand Prix Qualifying ran at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on October 14.
Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech3) took his second time pole position with 1m 53.469s in the wet. 2nd position was Danilo Petrucc (Octo Pramac) behind Johann Zarco by 0.318s. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) chose slick-tyre, but track was still wet condition and took 3rd position.
Aleix Espargaro (Factory Aprilia Gresini) was 4th and led factory Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo and the second works Honda of Dani Pedrosa.
Unfortunately, two Movistar Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales struggled to choose tyres, they were 12th and 14th, each.
This time, former 250cc champ Hiroshi Aoyama (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Yamaha Factory) and Kohta Nozane (Monster Yamaha Tech3) joined in as wildcard.
Johann Zarco (P1):
“I was happy to have all the practices in the wet to be able to improve. And I knew some riders could struggle this weekend so it was an opportunity. If it had been five minutes later it would have been on slicks, but it wasn’t five minutes later.”
Danilo Petrucc (P2):
“On the first lap out, I looked at the track but in some parts it still had a lot of water so I was a bit scared of using slicks. So I said I would try with two tyres – one soft and one extra soft on the last lap, and it worked. Johann did a really good lap but I’m really happy, this was unexpected although I was in the top five all weekend. If there’s a lot of water, starting in front could be a big advantage. I didn’t feel the same confidence as normal in the wet, but I think I can be competitive over the race.”
Marc Marquez (P3):
"I thought it was possible to go on slicks.”
Motul Grand Prix of Japan Qualifying Results- Johann Zarco / Monster Yamaha Tech3 / 1m 53.469s
- Danilo Petrucc / Octo Pramac / 1m 53.787s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / 1m 53.903s
- Aleix Espargaro / Factory Aprilia Gresini / 1m 53.947s
- Jorge Lorenzo / Ducati Team / 1m 54.235s
- Dani Pedrosa / Repsol Honda / 1m 54.342s
- Bradley Smith / Red Bull KTM Factory / 1m 54.872s
- Pol Espargaro / Red Bull KTM Factory / 1m 54.906s
- Andrea Dovizioso / Ducati Team / 1m 55.064s +1.595s
- Alex Rins / Suzuki Ecstar / 1m 55.483s +2.014s
- Andrea Iannone / Suzuki Ecstar / 1m 55.617s
- Valentino Rossi / Movistar Yamaha / 1m 57.786s
- Loris Baz / Reale Avintia / 1m 55.862s
- Maverick Vinales / Movistar Yamaha / 1m 55.916s
- Cal Crutchlow / LCR Honda / 1m 55.952s
- Alvaro Bautista / Pull&Bear Aspar / 1m 56.292s
- Hector Barbera / Reale Avintia / 1m 56.668s
- Sam Lowes / Factory Aprilia Gresini / 1m 56.771s
- Tito Rabat / EG 0,0 Marc VDS / 1m 56.903s
- Karel Abraham / Pull&Bear Aspar / 1m 57.144s
- Hiroshi Aoyama / EG 0,0 Marc VDS / 1m 57.157s
- Scott Redding / Octo Pramac / 1m 57.787s
- Katsuyuki Nakasuga / Yamaha Factory / 1m 57.861s
- Kohta Nozane / Monster Yamaha Tech3 / 2m 01.730s
All photos copyright by MotoGP.- source : MotoGP
