Honda’s world champion Marc Marquez secured his fourth pole position of the MotoGP season on Saturday ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, edging out Fabio Quartararo at the end of a dramatic qualifying session.
Championship leader Marquez smashed the lap record at Mugello with his final effort of one minute, 45.519 seconds, eclipsing Quartararo on the Petronas Yamaha by 0.214 seconds.
Australia’s Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) was fifth and less than a tenth and a half from the front row.
Danilo Petrucci, who had emerged as the pole favourite following his strong morning practice pace, will start third on his Ducati to complete the front row at Sunday’s race.
Franco Morbidelli made it two Petronas bikes in the top four and Briton Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) completed the second row.
Maverick Vinales endured a difficult qualifying session for the factory Yamaha bike to finish seventh, while his team mate Valentino Rossi will start his home race from a disappointing 18th position.