Martin claims Indonesia MotoGP pole by smashing lap record / Photo: SONNY TUMBELAKA - AFP
-
The British historian helping the French rediscover de Gaulle
-
Bad COP, worse COP? EU tempers hopes for UN climate summit
-
Dodgers beat Braves to advance, Guardians survive in MLB playoffs
-
Rookie Henry named in Wallabies midfield to face All Blacks
-
Latin American, Caribbean women top Nobel literature buzz
-
Housing crisis set to dominate Spain's snap election
-
US says Fiji-based Chinese official paid bribes for Beijing
-
Gas, health care, utilities: high costs squeeze US midterm voters
-
After botched US execution, Christa Pike was nearly taken off life support
-
New Zealand Rugby seeks injunction over PNG Chiefs name
-
Guinea-Bissau junta urges military unit loyal to ex-president to disarm
-
Samsung expects 780% quarterly operating profit jump on AI boom
-
As species decline, green turtles offer glimmer of hope
-
Guardians survive with 9-3 win over White Sox
-
Brothers Scott and Beauden Barrett named to start for All Blacks
-
Saudi Arabia says 3 dead at airports after Houthis claim attacks
-
EU trade chief seeks to dial down China tensions
-
Stocks slide as oil sees volatile trading day over Iran war fears
-
'Never again Bolsonaro': thousands march ahead of Brazil election runoff
-
Microsoft pushes AI vision with new, expensive Surface laptop
-
After botched execution, US woman was nearly taken off life support before revival
-
Five children among 28 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine
-
Searing AIDS drama 'Elsinore' opens London film festival
-
Odell Beckham Jr signs with Minnesota Vikings
-
Evicted pensioner who sparked Spain housing protests dies: tenant union
-
Saudi Arabia says three dead at airports after Houthis claim attacks
-
Golf star Rahm quitting LIV tour over 'unacceptable' terms
-
Trump plans to turn Florida golf course into presidential retreat
-
Thousands march fearing return of a Bolsonaro presidency in Brazil
-
WHO says cannot conduct full risk assessment on Russia plague reports
-
French PM denies police ordered to confront student protesters
-
After botched execution, US woman is awake and shackled to bed
-
Rubio touts US power, calls on Europe to emerge from 'slumber'
-
New Zealand fly-half Mo'unga ruled out of Australia Tests
-
Trump says 'we don't think' Russian plague is bio-weapon
-
Protests in major Turkish city after mayor defects to Erdogan party
-
Five children among 26 killed in Ukraine after Russian strikes
-
Climate change strips island's title of largest penguin colony: study
-
Man City should 'accept' punishment for rule breaches, says Lineker
-
Rubio says West must choose between national power or decline
-
US woman who survived botched execution is awake and speaking
-
Russia's plague scare: What we know
-
From 1800s to modern pharma: a Nobel-winning chemistry quest
-
French luxury giant to fund redevelopment of two Paris streets: city hall
-
Southampton boss Eckert given suspended ban over 'Spygate'
-
Trump wants to turn Florida golf course into presidential retreat
-
Russia warns of 'false' information as second plague case reported
-
Mayor of Turkish opposition stronghold defects to Erdogan party
-
IEA ready to release more oil reserves if necessary
-
Children among heavy casualties in Ukraine after Russian strikes
Martin claims Indonesia MotoGP pole by smashing lap record
Jorge Martin grabbed pole position on Saturday for the weekend's Indonesia MotoGP sprint and Grand Prix with a scintillating lap record, as the championship leader aims to widen the gap to his title rivals.
In humid conditions at the Mandalika circuit, Ducati-Pramac's Martin sped round in 1min 29.088sec, smashing the record set just a day before by more than half a second.
"I am so happy. Today I felt great. It went perfectly so this is always nice," Martin told reporters.
He was 0.535 seconds ahead of Marco Bezzecchi, who survived a crash to secure a front row place on his final lap. Red Bull GasGaS's Pedro Acosta was third, a further 0.048sec behind.
"I lost a bit of concentration and I crashed. Fortunately, the bike was okay," said Ducati-VR46 rider Bezzecchi.
"I knew I could be fast but I didn't imagine the first row so what can I say? I am very happy."
Defending champion Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini will start on the second row after finishing fourth and fifth.
Marc Marquez, fourth in the championship standings, slid out twice in the second qualifying session and will begin from 12th after failing to register a lap.
Defending champion Bagnaia trails Martin by 24 points with six race weekends left with a maximum 37 points available on each.
The Italian Ducati rider lost ground on the Spaniard after crashing out in the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP last week.
Bagnaia's teammate Bastianini and Gresini's Marquez are 59 and 60 points behind Martin, still with an outside chance of edging their way back into the title picture.
Bastianini had set the new Mandalika track record in practice on Friday at 1:29.630 before Martin's spectacular qualifying lap.
MotoGP returned to Indonesia in 2022 for the first time since 1997, at a new venue on the resort island of Lombok.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN