- 2023-10-01
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Japanese GP: Jorge Martin Takes Pole Position with Lap Record, Wins Sprint Race at Motegi
he Round 14 of MotoGP 2023, Motul Grand Prix of Japan took place at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Motegi, Japan on September 30, 2023.
This time, Cal Crutchlow (Yamalube RS4GP) participated in the event as a wildcard.
In Qualifying, Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) took the pole position with a lap record 1m43.198s. It is his second pole position of the season, following San Marino GP. Also this marks a 10th pole position in a row for Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) was 2nd, and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) was 3rd, who will start on the front raw since British GP.
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Ducati), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Ducati) will start on the second row.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) advanced to Q2 from Q1 along with Raul Fernandez (RNF Aprili) and will start the 3rd row alongside Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). While Raul Fernandez was 11th.
In the Sprint Race, Jorge Martin took a 3rd win in a row, following San Marino GP and Indian GP.
Brad Binder took the 2nd place behind Jorge Martin by 1.390s. Francesco Bagnaia finished 3rd ahead of Jack Miller.
Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) was 5th. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Ducati) was 6th after passing the 7th Marc Marquez at the Turn 8-9 complex on the penultimate lap.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Ducati), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Raul Fernandez (RNF Aprilia) rounded out the top 10.
Jorge Martin said, “It was a nice race. Before the start we had an issue with the sensor and the team was a bit worried but finally we saw that everything was okay and I could race. Then, I felt super strong all weekend and felt like I could make a difference today. Brad pushed me to the limit and I almost had to do time attacks. I’m happy that we won today, it was an important win. Three in a row in the sprint is really good. We’re doing really well and the main thing is that I don't change my mentality. I’m super focused on this because today I was a bit nervous and I don’t want to feel this pressure. I just want to enjoy the moment. Before the race I was really relaxed but one hour before the race I was so nervous. I don’t want this.”
Motul Grand Prix of Japan Qualifying Results- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / 1'43.198s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +0.171s
- Jack Miller / Red Bull KTM / +0.353s
- Marco Bezzecchi / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +0.426s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +0.511s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / Gresini Ducati / +0.610s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / +0.614s
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +0.617s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +0.624s
- Johann Zarco / Pramac Ducati / +0.653s
- Raul Fernandez / RNF Aprilia / +0.856s
- Pol Espargaro / Tech3 GASGAS / +0.898s
- Augusto Fernandez / Tech3 GASGAS / 1'44.129s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / 1'44.138s
- Joan Mir / Repsol Honda / 1'44.15s
- Miguel Oliveira / RNF Aprilia / 1'44.427s
- Franco Morbidelli / Monster Yamaha / 1'44.521s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / 1'44.626s
- Cal Crutchlow / Yamalube RS4GP / 1'45.273s
- Stefan Bradl / LCR Honda / 1'45.451s
- Michele Pirro / Ducati Lenovo / 1'45.707s
Motul Grand Prix of Japan Sprint Race Results- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / 21m 0.734s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +1.390s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +5.279s
- Jack Miller / Red Bull KTM / +6.194s
- Johann Zarco / Pramac Ducati / +6.315s
- Marco Bezzecchi / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +8.919s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / +9.298s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / Gresini Ducati / +10.189s
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +12.404s
- Raul Fernandez / RNF Aprilia / +15.366s
- Pol Espargaro / Tech3 GASGAS / +15.473s
- Augusto Fernandez / Tech3 GASGAS / +15.592s
- Joan Mir / Repsol Honda / +17.052s
- Miguel Oliveira / RNF Aprilia / +18.092s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +19.333s
- Franco Morbidelli / Monster Yamaha / +19.645s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +21.862s
- Cal Crutchlow / Yamalube RS4GP / +26.026s
- Michele Pirro / Ducati Lenovo / +27.911s
- Stefan Bradl / LCR Honda / +28.178s
Photo by MotoGP- source : MotoGP
