MotoGP: Johann Zarco will start in 2nd position for the Japanese Grand Prix, Fabio Quartararo only 9th

Believed a long time ago!

After winning Q1, Johann Zarco battled through qualifying on Saturday to claim pole position in the Japanese Grand Prix.

But at the end of a terrible suspense, on the wet track of Motegi, the French pilot and his Ducati had to admit defeat, only two tenths behind Marc Marquez (Honda).

South African Brad Binder (KTM) completes the front row.

The Spaniard, the six-time MotoGP world champion, returned to competition last weekend after three months of absence due to an operation on his right arm (the fourth in two years), signs his first pole since October 2019 … picked up right here in Japan.

"This morning (

), I already felt very efficient in the rain, and I told myself that if it was still raining this afternoon, I was going to try something", reacted Marquez.

If he assured a short time ago that he simply wanted to take advantage of this end of the season to get back in shape before 2023, he will try to sign his first victory since 2021.

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The session turned out to be much more difficult for Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).

Disturbed by the weather conditions - qualifying was also postponed for a few hours due to heavy rain - the French driver took the ninth fastest time in qualifying.

The reigning world champion and current leader of the world ranking will start from the 3rd row.

The only consolation, the Niçois managed to keep his pursuer in the championship, Bagnaia, only 12th at a distance in wet conditions that he did not like.

In the championship, before this round, the 16th of the season (out of 20), Quartararo leads Bagnaia (Ducati) by ten points.

The two pilots will however have to be wary of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), 3rd overall at 17 units from the Frenchman, who will start on Sunday in 6th place.

Five races from the end of the season, Quartararo no longer has room for error.