Moto3: Martin on pole but grid penalties imminent

Jorge Martin has taken pole position for tomorrow’s Moto3 race at Motorland Aragon – but with a series of grid penalties imminent for cruising during the session, it looks likely that the actual starting grid for tomorrow’s race could look very different from the current order.

But with MCN believing that as many as 80% of the 32 riders who qualified set to be docked as many as twelve places, it remains to be seen if he will retain the top spot.

Even then, however, it wasn’t an easy session for the Spaniard, as he crashed out of contention only seconds after setting the fastest lap of the session.

“Obviously, I’m happy with the pole position but with mixed feelings, because I went out on track to beat the circuit record and I wasn’t able to do so due to a crash. The important thing, however, is that I didn’t get injured: I was fast, maybe a bit too fast so I lost control of my motorcycle. I’m confident for tomorrow because our pace is great even with used tyres, so fingers crossed!”

He’s joined on the front row for now by Estrella Galicia teammates Enea Bastianini and Aron Canet, with Team Sky VR46 riders Niccolo Bulega and Dennis Foggia fourth and fifth, just ahead of championship leader Joan Mir, also a late faller in the session.

British Talent Cup rider John McPhee led the third row in seventh from Philipp Oettl and Tatsuki Suzuki, with Marcos Ramirez rounding out the top ten.