Japanese GP | Dovizioso tops Warm Up ahead of Marquez
Dovizioso topped the morning Warm Up session in the Japanese sun. Marquez followed in 2nd, with Crutchlow hot on his heels in 3rd.
Andrea Dovizioso has qualified on pole position for the 3rd time in his career at the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit. Johann Zarco, who qualified on pole at last year’s #JapaneseGP, was the highest placed ‘Independent Team’ rider, qualifying 2nd this year. Jack Miller completes the front row, this will be his 3rd front row start in the MotoGP class.
Home hero Takaaki Nakagami becomes the first ‘Rookie’ to have made it to Q2 four times this year.
Dovizioso topped the session with a time of 1:45:409. Marquez closely followed in 2nd, with a time of 1:45:680, Crutchlow rounded out the top 3 with a time of 1:45:797.
Top Yamaha was Rossi in 6th setting a time of 1:46:128. Viñales set a time of 1:46:133, placing him 7th. Zarco placed 10th with a time of 1:46:458. Contender for Rookie of the Year, Syahrin placed 14th with a time of 1:46:682. Yamaha’s wildcard entry, Nakasuga placed 17th, setting a time of 1:46:823.
Top Ducati was Dovizioso who topped the session. Bautista set a time of 1:46:312, which placed him 8th, another impressive session from the Spaniard. Petrucci placed 13th with a time of 1:46:666. Miller who has impressed in recent races and starts today’s Grand Prix from 3rd, finished this morning’s warm up in 19th setting a time of 1:46:891.
Top Suzuki was Iannone, with a time of 1:45:944 placing him 4th. Rins set a time of 1:45:963, placing him 5th.
Top Honda was Marquez in 2nd, followed by Crutchlow in 3rd. Pedrosa set a time of 1:46:360 placing him 9th, Pedrosa has had many years of success at Twin Ring Motegi and will be aiming to continue his success today. Contender for Rookie of the Year, Morbidelli, placed 12th, setting a time of 1:46:625. Home hero, Nakagami placed 15th with a time of 1:46:688.
Top KTM for this morning’s Warm Up was P. Espargaro with a time of 1:46:592 placing him 11th. Smith set a time of 1:46:734, placing him 16th.
Top Aprilia was A. Espargaro setting a time of 1:47:114, he placed 20th. Redding set a time of 1:48:111 placing him 25th.
Top Rookie was Morbidelli in 12th position with a time of 1:46:625.
The weather for today’s race at Twin Ring Motegi looks to remain sunny with little/no cloud cover and highs of 17ºC.
Can Marquez secure the 2018 MotoGP World Championship today, or can Dovizioso keep him at bay?
