Motegi MotoGP: Scott Redding fourth behind all-Spanish front row

British rider Scott Redding will start tomorrow’s Japanese Moto2 Grand Prix from fourth on the grid behind an all-Spanish front row at the Twin Ring Motegi.

The Marc VDS Racing rider clocked a best time of 1.51.273 to miss out on a fifth front row start of the season by just 0.117s.

The front row was an all-Spanish affair with Pol Espargaro clinching his fifth pole position of the season with a quickest lap of 1.50.886.

That put him just 0.137s clear of title rival Marc Marquez, who took second with a time of 1.51.023.

Espargaro desperately needs a fourth win of the campaign in tomorrow’s 23-lap race to bolster his world title hopes. He trails Marquez by 48-points with just four races remaining.

Esteve Rabat, who previously had started no higher than seventh this season, completes the front row.

Tech 3 Racing rider Bradley Smith will start from seventh on the grid. The 21-year-old was third fastest in practice and while he was marginally faster in qualifying this afternoon with a lap of 1.51.736, he dropped down to the third row.

Gino Rea had a nightmare qualifying for the Gresini squad and he will start from way down in 28th. He set a best time of 1.53.413 and was just over 2.5s off the best pace after only completing 14 laps.