Marquez congratulates Baz on 'save of the year'

When Loris Baz lost the front of his Avintia Ducati at the end of his final Q1 lap, it cost him the chance to graduate to Qualifying 2.

But it almost certainly made him an internet legend; the Frenchman hanging on as he slid across the asphalt and then miraculously remounting the bike!

The Avintia team forgot the disappointment of not making Qualifying 2 as they cheered the #76, who was mobbed on his return to the pits.

Laws of physics? What laws of physics?

Could be the greatest save of all time... @lorisbaz pic.twitter.com/dMxMlGVzQx-- MotoGP(TM) (@MotoGP) April 23, 2017

"I pushed to the maximum and in the last corner maybe too much," Baz said. "I realised when I was braking that it was going to be difficult to make the turn without going wide, but I really wanted to get in Q2... I was not able to do it, but I managed to save the crash, and at least my sponsors will be shown all around the world."

WOW! How did Baz save that?! #AmericasGP #MotoGP Q1. @LorisBaz @AvintiaRacing_ pic.twitter.com/LkfKx9xHTq-- Crash.net MotoGP (@crash_motogp) April 22, 2017

The only rider who has come close to such a save in recent MotoGP history is reigning world champion Marc Marquez, who admitted:

"Today I'm a little bit sad, because I was on pole position but I lose the best save of the year! It was amazing. I was in the box and I was happy like being on pole, because that save was incredible!

"It was similar to what I had in the [2014] Brno test, but this time he has the recording. Congratulations to him because it's the best save of the year for sure."

Baz will start Sunday's race from 14th on the grid.

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