MotoGP News
Date: 18/May/2013
MotoGP rookie Marc Marquez took his second pole position of
the season at Le Mans, France on Saturday.
The 20-year-old title leader delivered a typically
headstrong performance - shrugging off a final practice fall to get the better
of Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo by just 0.030s.
Marquez, who won from his fist pole in Texas, said: “Today
was difficult. It was cold and I was struggling to get some temperatures in the
tyres. I think that's the reason why there were so many crashes.
“We tried something with the set-up, but it was even worse
and that was when I crashed in practice.
“So we went back to what we had before for qualifying. I
rebuilt my confidence and was back on it immediately. I’m happy with pole.
“For the race, Jorge is looking strong, but we will
concentrate on ourselves.”
However rain arrived just moments after qualifying had
concluded with more forecast for Sunday. If so, it would mean Marquez’s first
wet MotoGP race.
“We will see what weather we have. Tomorrow looks like it
will be wet but I hope for a dry race.”
The worst case scenario for Marquez is a mixture of wet and
dry conditions, which could prompt a pit stop to change bikes - a unique
experience for the young Spaniard.
“We practiced some ‘flag to flag’ [bike changes] during
winter testing in Malaysia. It would be interesting, but I hope to have a
normal race. If it is wet nobody has ridden in those conditions this weekend.”
Marquez starts round four with a slim three-point lead over
team-mate Dani Pedrosa, with Lorenzo one point further behind. Marquez and
Lorenzo collided over second place at the previous Jerez race, won by Pedrosa.
But Pedrosa fell in qualifying at Le Mans, at the very same
corner as Marquez, leaving him just sixth on the grid.
Instead it is Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso that will join
Marquez and Lorenzo on Sunday’s front row, after vaulting up the order courtesy
of an excellent final lap.
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