Japan MotoGP Qualifying Results: Marquez completes full house

Marc Marquez has taken pole position for the 2019 Japan MotoGP at Twin Ring Motegi, in so doing ensuring he has now started from the top spot at every circuit on the current calendar.

The Spaniard prevailed in tricky conditions at Honda’s home venue after wet conditions from earlier in the day improved to leave an optimum dry line but leave damp patches off it.

Nonetheless, Marquez kept his cool to see off the challenge of his rivals and secure his first-ever pole position at the Motegi circuit, bringing his career tally to 90 career pole positions.

Petronas SRT Yamaha completed the front row with Franco Morbidelli securing his best starting position since Jerez ahead of team-mate Fabio Quartararo. It is the first time the Italian – who ride the same A-spec M1 as the factory team – has out-qualified Quartararo in 12 events.

Cal Crutchlow shines as Valentino Rossi struggles

Maverick Vinales ensured Yamaha remains well poised to challenge Marquez on race day in fourth position, while Cal Crutchlow produced one of his best qualifying performances of the season to progress via Q1 before placing the LCR Honda in fifth position.

Pramac’s Jack Miller flew the flag highest for Ducati in sixth position, just ahead of Desmo counterparts Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci in seventh and eighth, while Aleix Espargaro continued to impress for Aprilia with another top ten run in ninth.

Once again out-paced by his Yamaha counterparts, Valentino Rossi could only manage tenth spot ahead of Suzuki duo Alex Rins – who joined Crutchlow in qualifying through Q1 – and Joan Mir.

Home hero Takaaki Nakagami starts his final race for 2019 before he is replaced by Johann Zarco so he can undergo shoulder surgery from 13th place from Pecco Bagnaia, Pol Espargaro and Mika Kallio, the KTM’s struggling in the cooler conditions. Jorge Lorenzo starts 19th.

Tito Rabat didn’t participate in qualifying after a heavy fall in FP3.

2019 Japan MotoGP Qualifying Results & Grid