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The Spaniard, who won the 2014 World Drivers Championship, has just experienced his worst ever qualifying at the MotoGP in his career history. Marquez failed to make it through Qualifying 1, and will begin today’s race in 13th position.
Marquez, visibly upset by the incident, stormed off during the press conference post-qualifying. When questioned about his performance, he stated that according to him, a failure to switch to fresh tyres following Free Practice 3 led to what has been his worst qualifying performance of his career.
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The only other time Marquez has had to fight during qualifying was also at Mugello, in 2013. He had suffered several crashes at the time during the Free Practice session, breaking his humerus as a result. Marquez recovered to top Q1, and qualified in sixth before crashing out of the race from second place with 3 laps to go.
He has had 1 win this year, at the MotoGP of the Americas, and 2 podium finishes including his win in the USA. His other win was at the Spanish MotoGP in Jerez. The rest of his racing year has been lacklustre so far, with several drops and a non-finish.
In contrast, Italian Iannone, nursing several injuries, found his career best, qualifying in pole for the first time and also blitzing the lap record at Mugello, in a time of 1’46.489 - the fastest time ever recorded on a motorbike at the 5.2 kilometre circuit. Winning pole at his home Grand Prix, he was followed immediately by Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo of Movistar Yamaha GP, who was 0.095 seconds behind him.
He was followed by Jorge Lorenzo, who is in excellent nick and steamrolling on the momentum from his two back to back wins at Jerez and Le Mans.
The 25-year-old has had 1 podium in the five races held so far this year, finishing third at the Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix behind compatriots Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso, who is not only Iannone's teammate, but has qualified in third, with Lorenzo sandwiched by the two Ducati riders.
Other surprises include Mugello home hero Valentino Rossi, who will begin today’s race in 8th.
