MotoGP Silverstone: Aprilia Dominates Qualifying. Martin Takes Pole; Marquez Looks Disappointed. Bagnaia Struggles

World Championship leader Jorge Martin claimed pole position for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, finishing first with a time of 1:56.160—a new track record for the British circuit. It was a stellar qualifying session for Aprilia, which placed four bikes in the top five positions.

Joining Martin on the front row are the two Trackhouse team riders, Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura, in second and third place, respectively. The first Ducati rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio, will start from fourth place, while the other rider from the factory Aprilia team, Marco Bezzecchi, is fifth ahead of Marc Marquez, who is sixth.

It wasn’t an easy qualifying session for the Ducati riders; Marc Marquez looked grim-faced after returning to the pits. His teammate Pecco Bagnaia fared terribly and will start only from sixteenth position after failing to advance past Q1.

Also in the top ten are Alex Marquez, a resurgent Franco Morbidelli, Pedro Acosta, and Iker Lecuona.

Starting grid (top ten)
Martin
R. Fernandez
Ogura
Di Giannantonio
Bezzecchi
M. Marquez
A. Marquez
Morbidelli
Acosta
Lecuona

Pole-sitter Martin told Sky after qualifying: “I’m really surprised by my lap; I gave it my all but didn’t know what position I’d end up in. When I saw I was ahead of everyone, I was definitely very happy. I’m back on pole, but I know full well there’s still a lot of work to do. It’ll be tough to fight for the win, but I’ll give it a shot. The hard front tire? I don’t know. I feel good on the medium ones too—it’ll also depend on the weather.”