Marc Marquez says Valentino Rossi tow helped his Brno MotoGP pole

Honda's Marc Marquez acknowledges the slipstream he got from MotoGP rival Valentino Rossi at the end of Czech Grand Prix qualifying helped him take pole position

The championship leader claimed his fifth pole of the year at Brno with a stunning lap set in the final minute to finish 0.253 seconds ahead of Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

Marquez found 0.694s to take pole, even with passing Rossi at the final corner and slotting in directly behind Pol Espargaro's Tech3 Yamaha.

"I found, honestly, the perfect lap," he said.

"I overtook in the last corner, but I had a small slipstream from Valentino and this helped me quite a lot to get pole position.

"Maybe with Pol I lost some time in the last corner, but the time that I gained during all of the lap with this small slipstream was much better.

"I didn't expect to be on pole and I didn't expect this lap time.

"Normally I would ride alone but this time I found a good slipstream and maybe this slipstream gave me pole."

While Marquez led the way in Friday's second practice session, he conceded he had work to do on his race pace.

He estimated improvements on that front in fourth practice closed his deficit from half-a-second to one tenth, which he said could prove more important than taking pole.

"I'm happy for pole, but maybe I'm happier for FP4," he said.

"During the whole weekend I was struggling with the used tyres, and in FP4 we changed the set-up and I was able to ride in a good pace, similar to Lorenzo."

LORENZO EXPECTED POLE

Lorenzo made a statement on Saturday morning when he recorded what was - before Marquez's pole effort - the fastest MotoGP lap around Brno to top third practice by 0.744s.

He was also ahead in qualifying by four tenths before Marquez's lap, but felt he paid the price for riding too aggressively at the end.

"After the morning that I made this lap time, I expected to be much quicker in the afternoon," he said.

"But a little bit because the temperature was up, and maybe with the second tyre I was too aggressive, braking too late and maybe opening too much throttle, I didn't improve so much compared to the first lap time.

"The lap time from Marquez was impressive, he was really fast - I didn't expect him to be so fast, so it's impressive. Maybe the riders in front gave him the last push.

"Today we expected pole position but second place is a very good place to start tomorrow, knowing that we have a very good pace with old tyres and we worked very well to keep a consistent pace."

shares
comments

Valentino Rossi: Brno MotoGP qualifying traffic like central Rome

Brno MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow becomes first British winner since 1981

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Subscribe