Quartararo on pole for Indonesia GP, SA's Brad Binder to line up fourth on grid

March 19 - Reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo dominated a chaotic Indonesia Grand Prix qualifying session to take pole position in Mandalika on Saturday as MotoGP returned to the country for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Quartararo's title defence got off to a miserable start at the season-opener in Qatar, where he qualified 11th and finished the race in ninth, but the 22-year-old put his Yamaha on top with a time of 1 minute and 31.067 seconds.

Late yellow flags after a crash for Aleix Espargaro - the last of many on Saturday - helped Quartararo claim his first pole since the 2021 Catalan GP.

"It's great to be back here, it's been a long time. I'm super happy," Quartararo said.

"I think today we didn't make too many mistakes in qualifying and I think that paid off. Thanks to the team because we never gave up even with bad results and we are here again. I feel great for tomorrow."

Crash for @AleixEspargaro! ??How many laps will be halted by yellow flags?! ??#IndonesianGP ???? pic.twitter.com/VuTu7fqtFM

Pramac Ducati riders Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco grabbed the remaining front row places, while Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM will line up in fourth ahead of Qatar winner Enea Bastianini and Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia.Binder is showing incredible form for his second year in the premium class. During the season-opening Qatar MotoGP, the South African rider started seventh on the grid after Qualifying and finished second on podium. No doubt South Africans will be on the edge of their seats on Sunday morning, cheering on their local hero along with his younger brother Darryn Binder starting 23rd on the grid.

Alex Rins claimed eighth place after a fiery accident in FP4, which was red-flagged after his Suzuki caught