MotoGP Japan SPRINT LIVE: Jorge Martin untouchable! Zarco 5th, Quartararo 15th

Jorge Martin achieved pole position at the MotoGP class Japanese Grand Prix, the 14th round of the 2023 MotoGP championship scheduled at Mobility Resort Motegi. The rider of the Pramac team with the stratospheric time of 1'43.198 demolished the previous circuit record which only dated the day before with Brad Binder on his KTM, ahead of an unavoidable Pecco Bagnaia by 0.171s who tried everything until the checkered flag to threaten pole. The third time goes to Jack Miller who finishes 0.353s behind the leader by completing the first row.

Marco Bezzecchi, after a frightening accident at the start of the session, fortunately without consequences, returned to the track with the second bike and finished with the fourth time ahead of the KTM of Brad Binder and always excellent Fabio de Giannantonio. Marc Marquez, after overcoming the trap of Q1, finished with the seventh time ahead of the duo Aprilia compound Maverick Vinales et Aleix I will espargaro. John Zarco completes the top ten that are missing Raul Fernandez and Pol Espargaro.

Among the others, we note that fabio quartararo, will start from 14th place in front Joan mir. The last row of the starting grid is only made up of the test drivers registered as wild cards: Crutchlow, Bradl and Pirro. With the Italian last and a Martin first, Ducati surrounds MotoGP in Japan.

What will this Sprint race on Motegi have in store for us? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far...

 

Motegi MotoGP™	2022	2023
FP1	1'44.509 Jack Miller (See here)	1'45.192 Jorge Martin (See here)
Practice	1'55.232 Marc Marquez (See here)	1'43.489 Brad Binder (See here)
FP2	CANCELLATIONDUE TO RAIN (See here)	1'44.622 Marco Bezzecchi (See here)
Q1	1'55.300 Johann Zarco (See here)	1'43.997 Marc Marquez (See here)
Q2	1'45.763 Marc Márquez (See here)	1'43.198 Jorge Martin (See here)
Sprint	XXXXX	Martin, Binder, Bagnaia (See here)
Warm up	1'45.850 Jorge Martin (See here)
Course	Miller, Brad Binder, Martin (See here)	(See here)
All time lap record	1'43.790 Jorge Lorenzo (2015)	1'43.198 Jorge Martin (See here)

The weather conditions suggest overcast skies but no rain at the moment. 27° in the air and 34° on the track are noted.

It’s time to make your predictions…

Here we are ready to fight!

Miller can create a surprise this weekend…!

And what about Binder…the same in color for victory!!

Final adjustments before heading into battle!

Let's go for 12 rounds!

Martin takes the lead ahead of Miller and Binder. Bagnaia 4th. Zarco 7th and Quartararo 18th

The top10 consists of Martin, Binder, Miller, Bagnaia, Marquez, Zarco, Bezzecchi, Espargaro A., Di Giannantonio and Vinales. 10 rounds left

Martin tries to get away from Binder but the South African hangs on, he is only 0.421s behind.

Bezzecchi regains his strength as the laps go by but it's hard...he is 7th

Bagnaia, 3rd, comes back strongly on Miller, he is 0.410s behind.

The gap between Martin and Binder is gradually widening: the Pramac driver is the fastest on the track, he sets the pace. There are 6 rounds left. Miller, Bagnaia and MMarquez complete this provisional top5.

Long lap penalty for Crutchlow: track limits exceeded…

Bezzecchi attacks Zarco to gain 6th position, it passes. 

In front Miller and Bagnaia are in the battle for the 3rd step of the podium. Bagnaia does not seem to be able to pass at the moment.

Bezzecchi expands, he goes through MMarquez and Zarco… everything has to be done again for the VR46 driver

There are 2 rounds left and in front Martin has 1.540 on Binder. Bagnaia finally manages to get rid of Miller and temporarily climbs onto the 3rd step of the podium. Miller and Zarco are 4th and 5th

Abandonment for A.Espargaro

Last round…

Martin wins ahead of Binder and Bagnaia. Miller, Zarco, Bezzecchi, MMarquez, Di Giannantonio, Vinales and R.Fernanadez bring up the rear of this top10

Binder 2nd!

Bagnaia did not seem full of confidence this Saturday in Japan...

MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix Sprint Results at Motegi:

General Championship ranking: 

 

 

 

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com