HODGSON: MARQUEZ THREW MARTIN OFF HIS QUALIFYING RHYTHM AT MANDALIKA

Marc Marquez will start both the Indonesian Grand Prix Sprint and Sunday’s race ahead of title rival Jorge Martin after a tense qualifying session at Mandalika, where the Ducati rider used the Aprilia star as a reference on track.

The championship battle arrived at round 17 of 22 separated by just two points: Martin led on 333, with Marquez on 331. Former rider and pundit Neil Hodgson had expected Marquez to lose ground at a circuit considered well suited to Aprilia, particularly with Michelin’s heat-resistant tyres available. Instead, Marquez qualified fourth, while Martin was fifth. Raul Fernandez claimed his first MotoGP pole for Trackhouse, ahead of factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi; Fabio Di Giannantonio was third and the leading Ducati rider.

Fernandez set a 1:28.852 in qualifying, with Marquez on 1:29.118 and Martin on 1:29.152. The Trackhouse rider had already shown strong pace, setting a Mandalika lap record of 1:28.725 in Friday practice.

Martin was seventh after the opening run in Q2. For his final attempt, he left the pits ahead of Marquez, who followed him. Martin’s team warned him on his dashboard that the #93 was behind; Martin pulled aside to let Marquez through, but Marquez backed off and stayed on his rear wheel. Aprilia also alerted Martin that his championship rival was following.

When Fernandez slowed sharply in an effort to shake the pair, Martin and Marquez also backed off to remain with him. Martin improved his time, but Marquez went quicker and moved ahead of him on the grid. The two title contenders will start side by side on the second row for the Sprint.

Hodgson, speaking on TNT Sports 2, said Marquez had been “clever” to latch on to Martin. Fernandez had been the fastest rider throughout the weekend and was the right target to follow, he said, but Marquez’s presence appeared to disrupt Martin’s rhythm.

“Obviously he’s aware; the team were warning him, as well, ‘you are towing your championship rival around’,” Hodgson said. “It sort of just messed [up] any sort of rhythm. And essentially, it’s cost him, and it means he’s going to actually start behind Marquez, which makes it quite juicy.”

Hodgson was unsure whether Marquez’s move was deliberate, but said it “sort of got into Martin’s head a little bit” and “blocked Martin off”. Marquez has used the tactic before, usually saying he resorts to it when short of pace; this was the first time he had done so this season.

The result leaves Martin needing to pass Marquez in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix if he is to extend his championship advantage at a venue expected to suit Aprilia.