OXLEY SPOTS MARQUEZ’S UNCOMMON REAR-SLIDE TECHNIQUE IN QATAR QUALIFYING

Marco Bezzecchi claimed pole at the Qatar Grand Prix after a close qualifying duel with Marc Marquez at Lusail, setting a new lap record and narrowly missing a time in the 1m49s by 0.028 seconds. Marquez will start second in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, alongside Bezzecchi on the front row.

MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley singled out a striking move by Marquez on his final flying lap in Q2. At Turn 9, the Spaniard deliberately let the rear of his Ducati slide, using the oversteer to open up a wider line into the Turn 10 hairpin. Oxley praised the display on X: “MM93 was awesome to behold at Turn 9 on his best lap in Q2 – stepping out the rear to oversteer the bike to give him a wider line into Turn 10.” He added: “Rare to see that so obviously these days.”

The manoeuvre can help a rider rotate the bike and shape the approach to the next corner, but it carries considerable risk. If the rear tyre loses grip and then suddenly hooks up again, the bike can throw its rider into a high-side. Marquez’s ability to control the slide without exceeding the limit drew Oxley’s admiration.

Bezzecchi’s pole position also has implications for the title fight. Marquez needs to outscore the Italian by eight points across the Sprint and Grand Prix to secure the championship this weekend, giving Bezzecchi a chance to delay his rival’s title hopes. Despite missing out on pole, Marquez’s qualifying performance earned him a front-row start for both races.