In an impressive display of skill and speed, former six-time world champion Marc Marquez of Spain will lead the grid in tomorrow's Sunday Grand Prix of Spain motorcycle race.
Marquez achieved this pole position after outperforming Marco Bezzecchi from VR46 Racing Team and the current overall leader, Jorge Martin, during the qualifying sessions held under rainy conditions at the Jerez circuit on Saturday.
This pole position marks the first for the 31-year-old Marquez with his current team, Gresini Racing, a Ducati satellite team he joined before the start of this season. It is also the 93rd pole position of his illustrious career.
Marquez's last first-place start was at the Grand Prix of Portugal in March of the previous year.
Expressing his contentment, Marquez said after the qualifiers, "I'm very happy, especially since this is my first pole with Gresini. My confidence is gradually increasing. So yes, we need to keep our focus. But starting from pole, our goal is definitely to reach the podium."
The current champion, Francesco Bagnaia, will start from the seventh position.
Spanish rising star Pedro Acosta, 19, from the Gas Gas Tech3 team backed by Red Bull, was close to clinching a surprising pole position before he suffered a crash in the second qualifying round. Acosta will start from the tenth position in tomorrow's race.
A sprint race is scheduled to take place later today, Saturday.