MotoGP Mandalika: Martin making improvements, ‘confident on braking’

Pramac’s Jorge Martin claimed his second MotoGP front row start of 2022 after qualifying just 0.213s off pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo at Mandalika.

The satellite Ducati rider was joined by teammate Johann Zarco for the Parc Fermé celebrations with the Frenchman a further tenth behind, the Pramac pair hoping to maintain their advantage as tomorrow inaugural IndonesianGP on Lombok unfolds.

“Was a really difficult qualifying for me because the conditions were so hot and I was struggling a bit with the front,” Martin admitted from the Mandalika paddock. “My first lap, I lose the front in the first corner then I had a moment to think about if I keep pushing or if I stop and lose that lap but I keep pushing. Also, I lost the front in corner 16 but even though, I could finish a good lap and finish second is good.

“The target was first row, I don’t think about the pole positions because he [Quartararo] was super competitive today. Let’s see tomorrow. The pace is good, I think we can battle with the top guys. I was more confident than in Qatar so yeah, I’m really happy.

“I tried a bit the medium and we were working a bit on the setup because I was struggling in some areas,” he continued, referencing Michelin’s ‘special casing’ tyre allocation for this weekend’s intense temperatures. “I am more confident on braking, that is a big improvement from Qatar, that there was losing a bit. I think there are four or five riders really close. Also Marc [Marquez] on the back and Pol [Espargaro] have a good pace but they are back on the grid. The tyre choice will be important but I think both tyres are working so closely. So let’s see the decision.

“In the test I was feeling much better with the rear tyre, also the soft was more consistent I