[ad_1]
SEPANG: Yamaha's Johann Zarco qualified for pole position at the Malaysian MotoGP on Saturday, taking the place of Marc Marquez after the world champion was penalized for an incident involving Italian rider Andrea Iannone.
Marquez, the Honda manufacturer, set the lap record and appeared to have secured the 80th pole position of his career during a qualifying session in Sepang during which he had a small crash.
But after the race he was penalized with a hefty penalty of six places, which means that he will start seventh.
The Spaniard was sanctioned for an incident involving rider Suzuki Iannone, in which he was deemed irresponsible and took the path of the Italian in a sharp bend.
These changes mean that Frenchman Zarco will now start in pole position at the Grand Prix on Sunday while Italian legend Valentino Rossi will start in second place.
After a delay of more than an hour due to a tropical downpour, Saturday's qualifying session started with Marquez, who set the fastest time in 2 minutes and 12.161 seconds early.
Marquez managed to maintain his lead despite a fall after about 10 minutes, which saw him fall from the saddle while his bike slipped into a tight bend.
He got up safe and sound, quickly changed his bike and continued to run.
"Today, I enjoy one of my strongest points, that is, I adapt very quickly to the conditions," Marquez said.
Zarco said it was hoping for another podium finish at Sunday's MotoGP after taking third place at Sepang last year.
"It would be nice to be on the podium tomorrow," he said.
But Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso, who fell late in the race, was disappointed and finally got the fifth fastest time.
This result compromised his hopes of winning for the third time in a row in Malaysia and finishing the season as a finalist.
He is currently second overall with Rossi, a nine-time world champion, last time winner in Malaysia in 2010, just 15 points down from third place.
The organizers have decided to advance the Sunday Grand Prix of two hours at 13:00 (05:00 GMT) to avoid heavy rains that usually fall later in the afternoon in Malaysia.
"For me, it's a wise choice (to hold) the race at 1 pm. We will have a better chance of having a dry race, "said Rossi.
"If we wait until 3 pm, maybe we will not run."
The sudden heavy showers and humidity have long been a challenge for Malaysian Grand Prix riders. The last two editions of the race have both been hit by torrential rains.
[ad_2]
Source link
