Pedrosa snatches pole as Marquez crashes in Sepang

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa claimed the pole position at the Malaysia Grand Prix, after standings leader Marc Marquez suffered a crash.

Published : Oct 28, 2017 15:14 IST

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa clocked a time of 1:59.212 for his first pole position since the Catalan GP in June.
Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa clocked a time of 1:59.212 for his first pole position since the Catalan GP in June.
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Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa clocked a time of 1:59.212 for his first pole position since the Catalan GP in June.

Dani Pedrosa will start from pole at the Malaysia Grand Prix after reigning MotoGP world champion and standings leader Marc Marquez could only qualify seventh following a crash.

Spaniard Pedrosa snatched pole at the death in Sepang on Saturday, leapfrogging Johann Zarco with his final lap as championship hopeful Andrea Dovizioso, 33 points adrift of Marquez coming into the penultimate race of the season, rounded out the top three.

Repsol Honda's Pedrosa clocked a time of one minute, 59.212 seconds for his first pole position since the Catalan GP in June.

READ: Marquez has chance to clinch title in Malaysia

"I'm very happy. It's my third pole of the year, it's very positive," Pedrosa said. "Starting from the front row is very important. No rain today so we'll hope for the same tomorrow."

Qualifying did not go according to plan for Pedrosa's team-mate Marquez after the champion went down at the final corner on his first flying lap. Marquez returned to the circuit but he was unable to challenge the top three.

ALSO READ: Surgery rules Aleix Espargaro out of Malaysian GP

Seeking back-to-back world titles, Marquez will start behind Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales and Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday.

Provisional classification: 

 

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