LE MANS, France — Two-time defending champion Marc Marquez rode a powerful final lap to clinch pole position at the French Moto Grand Prix on Saturday.
Marquez was more than half a second faster than Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, who will complete the front row of the grid for Sundays’ race at Le Mans.
It was the Spaniard’s third pole of the season on his Honda and the 25th of his career in the top category.
Points leader Valentino Rossi was more than a second slower than Marquez and will start Sunday’s race from seventh.
Rossi has won two of the four races to top the standings with 82 points, 15 more than fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso. Lorenzo is third, 20 points behind his Yamaha teammate.
Marquez is fourth.