How Did Marquez Achieve His 100th Pole at the Italian Grand Prix?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Marc Marquez reached an impressive milestone with his 100th pole position.
- The qualifying session was marked by intense sibling rivalry.
- Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo provided fierce competition.
- Marquez's final lap time was a remarkable 1:44.169.
- This achievement is a significant boost for Ducati at their home race.
Mugello (Italy), June 21 (NationPress) Marc Marquez achieved a remarkable milestone for Ducati by clinching the 100th pole position of his illustrious career at the renowned Mugello Circuit during the qualifying round of the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Marquez showcased an electrifying performance, marking his sixth MotoGP pole of the current season and the 72nd in the premier class. With an impressive tally of 14 poles in Moto2 and another 14 in the 125cc World Championship, Marquez has now entered an elite group of riders with a century of poles across all racing categories.
“I’m absolutely thrilled because this was a genuine pole position,” exclaimed a jubilant Marquez after the session. “It was achieved without relying on any slipstreams — just me, the bike, and pushing the limits. However, we must remain patient as conditions can shift in the warmer afternoon.”
Marquez initially seized provisional pole by following his brother Alex and utilizing the Gresini Ducati’s slipstream to gain an advantage. The younger Marquez set the fastest time during that moment, only for his elder brother to quickly surpass him — a classic display of sibling rivalry on two wheels.
The excitement didn’t end there. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo soon shattered a lap record, but before he could celebrate, the home favorite Francesco Bagnaia thrilled the Mugello fans with an even faster lap. Bagnaia, who has dominated the last three races at this circuit, appeared set to take pole again.
Yet, Marquez had one last lap to give. In a true display of champion's resolve, he excelled when it counted the most — clocking an astonishing 1:44.169 to outpace Bagnaia by a mere 0.059 seconds, securing pole on his Ducati debut in front of an enthusiastic Italian crowd.
Bagnaia, despite narrowly missing out, expressed admiration for Marquez, stating, “I gave my all in qualifying. Marc was in exceptional form, and it’s challenging to surpass him. I’m satisfied with my front-row position as it’s my best qualifying result this season.”
Alex Marquez, who kickstarted the initial surge, rounded out an all-Ducati front row, marking a perfect beginning for the Italian manufacturer. Following them, Quartararo — despite setting a lap record — had to settle for fourth place. He will share the second row with KTM’s Maverick Vinales and VR46 Racing’s Franco Morbidelli.