MotoGP: Marquez breaks Catalan jinx with pole position

Marc Marque has broken his MotoGP pole position jinx at his home race by cruising to the top spot by nearly half a second at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit this afternoon.

He looked to be in control for the entire session, comfortably holding off the best efforts of a struggling Jorge Lorenzo in second place. He’ll be joined on the front row for the first time this year by Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa.

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Hector Barbera was a surprise fourth, running front row pace until the final seconds, with Valentino Rossi also able to jump up the order despite problems for both Yamaha riders.

Maverick Viñales rounded out the second row, ahead of a third row of Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Iannone and Danilo Petrucci. The second factory Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso was tenth after progressing from Q1, ahead of Scott Redding and Pol Espargaró.

Bradley Smith was 14^th, failing to make it through to Q2, while Eugene Laverty was 17^th.