Martin one of the 'candidates, but we need something more for victory'

Pramac Ducati rider Jorge Martin will start tomorrow’s Qatar MotoGP from pole position, a feeling he knows very well having achieved his maiden premier class pole at the Losail International Circuit one year ago. 

Martin, who was third after the initial Q2 runs, finished off a penultimate lap that was already on course to take him top by gaining more than two tenths on the start-finish straight. 

The one-time MotoGP race winner used Pol Espargaro’s slipstream to perfect effect as he coincidently got the better of Espargaro’s team-mate Marc Marquez with a 1:53.011s - a lap time which is the second fastest ever at the Lusail venue. 

But despite such an impressive lap, Martin feels more is needed if he’s to battle for victory: "We always find something on a Saturday. I hope we find something for tomorrow. 

"I’m happy. In general the weekend was not so bad. It’s been difficult to be consistent because we have been trying many set-ups, different mappings, but anyway, I think the pace is not bad. 

"We will be one of the candidates for tomorrow, but I think we need something else to fight for the victory. 

"Also the tyre choice will be crucial. Both the soft and medium are working well, but they are different and it’s something we need to understand. But I’m happy with this pole position and to make back-to-back poles here."

Martin’s stunning one lap pace is nothing new as the former Moto3 world champion secured four poles as a rookie in 2021. 

And although he nearly won his first race from pole last season, tyre degradation became an issue during the closing stages of race two in Qatar, something he’s hoping to avoid this time around by making the correct tyre choice. 

"For the race, let’s see. I think it will be a group but not as big as last year. Last year the top ten finished in four second or less," added Martin. "It all depends on the tyres and whether you can push at the beginning or not. 

"I think it won’t be like last year because we did five day of testing, then the first race and second race, so that second race was super close and the pace was amazing. 

"I think the pace is similar or maybe faster than last year, but I don’t expect many riders."