The eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez becomes just the fourth rider to achieve 100 podium finishes in the premier class, joining Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa in an exclusive club.
Leading the way in Free Practice 3 with a blisteringly quick lap to put him 0.130s ahead of the pack, Honda's Marc Marquez started Saturday in supreme style.
For the first time since 2019, the MotoGP World Championship will return to the iconic Twin Ring Motegi circuit - Honda's home track. The Japanese Grand Prix has hosted many iconic moments in Moto GP history, especially for the Honda Team.
Pol Espargaro shot off the line as he worked to stay with the leading group and ran as high as fourth. But after these early laps Espargaro's race would become a nightmare as he steadily dropped back through the field. Crossing the line in 17th, Espargaro suffered throughout the race from a lack of grip compared to the previous day. Stefan Bradl's race came to a premature end after a strong start.
Tuscany [Italy], May 29 (ANI): Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez battled the sun, the wind and the rain on Saturday in Mugello as a dramatic day of qualifying unfolded.
Jerez [Spain], May 1 (ANI): It might not have been the podium he was aiming for, but Honda rider Marc Marquez showed he's ready to fight with a spirited ride to fourth as Pol Espargaro collected 11th place.
Jerez [Spain], May 1 (ANI): History has been made at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto after Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) set a new all-time lap record of 1:36.170 in Q2 at the Red Bull Spanish Grand Prix. In the hotly-anticipated showdown between Bagnaia and the Jerez master Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha Moto GP), it went the way of the Italian as he denied the World Champion a fifth straight pole position in Andalucia.
Portimao [Portugal], April 23 (ANI): Marc Marquez showed his speed on Saturday in Portugal Moto GP qualifiers, setting a lap strong enough to challenge for pole position. Unfortunately, yellow flags saw the lap cancelled and he will line up ninth, one position ahead of Pol Espargaro for Sunday's Grand Prix.
Texas [US], April 10 (ANI): Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro were left wanting much more from their respective Saturdays, the pair set to start on the third and fourth rows. The day got off to a promising start for Marc Marquez aboard the Honda Team RC213V as he ended Free Practice 3 in fourth with a best time of 2'02.490.
Lombok [Indonesia], March 20 (ANI): A complicated day saw the Honda Team unable to show their speed as falls and rear tyre issues held back Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro.