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Marc Marquez starts from pole for the Final Showdown in Valencia, with title rival Andrea Dovizioso down in ninth and the Italian the one who must win to have a chance at the crown.

If ‘DesmoDovi’ does win, Marquez need only come home P11 or better – but never, ever say never.

“We are human and it will be more difficult to sleep,” admits Marquez ahead of lights out. “But it’s normal, I would be more nervous if Dovi was on pole and I was tenth, ninth or eighth…”

Nerves aside, however, the plan is simple – and remains the same as every weekend this year: keeping it ‘Marquez’ style until the points are dealt out.

“I’m really happy to be on pole during this special weekend,” says the reigning Champion.

“It’s my 73rd pole position which is my brother’s number! I’m happy with the rhythm and the feeling of the bike…I had a small slide trying to improve the laptime but it was already a good lap."

"It’s Marquez style until Warm Up, then maybe we need to change the strategy and adapt to the conditions tomorrow. But I’m feeling good with the bike, which is the most important."

"Two crashes this weekend was when I was pushing more than I feel. The first few laps will be more difficult because when you’re fighting for the Championship you’re stiff on the bike until you get used to it." He added

"But we need to keep the same mentality. That will be the key."

source: motogp.com

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Dorna Sports announced that Silverstone Circuit will continue to host the British round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship for the next three years.

The 2018 event will take place over the weekend of the 24 - 26 August, with the contract securing the future of MotoGP™ racing in the UK following the termination of the Circuit of Wales agreement.

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director of Silverstone, commented: “A lot of time and money has been invested in recent years to ensure MotoGP fans, teams and riders enjoy what Silverstone has to offer and we are delighted to have secured the contract to 2020. "

"Two wheel racing is as much a part of Silverstone’s heritage as four wheel racing and we are looking forward to welcoming the Championship and its fans back to Silverstone next August."

CEO, added: “Silverstone is an iconic British circuit, so naturally we are pleased to be able to continue racing at this track."

"The United Kingdom is an important market for Dorna and has to remain on the MotoGP calendar, especially with the introduction of the British Talent Cup next year, which we hope will inspire the next generation of young British talent."

"We look forward to giving fans more action over the British Grand Prix weekend and I’m sure fans will be as happy as we are that Silverstone remains on the calendar for the next three years."

source: motogp.com

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Honda rider Marc Marquez is the first man heading through to Q2 this afternoon, followed by Johann Zarco and Andrea Iannone – with the men in second and third sharing exactly the same laptime.

Friday’s fastest Jorge Lorenzo in fourth, ahead of Dani Pedrosa and a Saturday improvement for Alex Rins. Michele Pirro took P8 as he wildcards, ahead of title challenger and teammate Andrea Dovizioso.

Jack Miller’s good weekend continued in P9, with Valentino Rossi completing the top ten.

That leaves Maverick Viñales outside Q2 as it stands, looking to move through in the first qualifying session.

FP2 Result

Pos. Rider Team Km/h Time Gap 1st/Prev.
1 Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 318.1 1'30.255  
2 Johann ZARCO Monster Yamaha Tech 3 315.4 1'30.501 0.246 / 0.246
3 Andrea IANNONE Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 318.5 1'30.501 0.246
4 Jorge LORENZO Ducati Team 318.1 1'30.603 0.348 / 0.102
5 Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 317.9 1'30.846 0.591 / 0.243
6 Michele PIRRO Ducati Team 320.5 1'30.883 0.628 / 0.037
7 Jack MILLER EG 0,0 Marc VDS 316.6 1'31.031 0.776 / 0.148
8 Valentino ROSSI Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 315.4 1'31.037 0.782 / 0.006
9 Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda Team 320.3 1'31.049 0.794 / 0.012
10 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 320.5 1'31.098 0.843 / 0.049
11 Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 319.1 1'31.117 0.862 / 0.019
12 Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda 316.9 1'31.134 0.879 / 0.017
13 Maverick VIÑALES Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 315.9 1'31.320 1.065 / 0.186
14 Danilo PETRUCCI OCTO Pramac Racing 321.4 1'31.402 1.147 / 0.082
15 Bradley SMITH Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 316.8 1'31.407 1.152 / 0.005
16 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 320.3 1'31.460 1.205 / 0.053
17 Tito RABAT EG 0,0 Marc VDS 316.8 1'31.522 1.267 / 0.062
18 Alvaro BAUTISTA Pull&Bear Aspar Team 322.1 1'31.593 1.338 / 0.071
19 Sam LOWES Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 310.2 1'31.595 1.340 / 0.002
20 Mika KALLIO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 318.1 1'31.617 1.362 / 0.022
21 Karel ABRAHAM Pull&Bear Aspar Team 319.4 1'31.704 1.449 / 0.087
22 Hector BARBERA Reale Avintia Racing 324.3 1'31.710 1.455 / 0.006
23 Scott REDDING OCTO Pramac Racing 321.5 1'31.969 1.714 / 0.259
24 Loris BAZ Reale Avintia Racing 315 1'32.804 2.549 / 0.835
25 Michael VAN DER MARK Monster Yamaha Tech 3 311.6 1'32.825 2.570 / 0.021

 

source: motogp.com

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With blue skies but crisp temperatures, action opened at the Final Showdown in Valencia with 2016 podium finisher at the venue Andrea Iannone shooting to the top of the timesheets in a flurry of late activity.

Joined in the top three by Jack Miller, a constant presence near the top despite a crash, and another stunner for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pol Espargaro in P3.

The Championship challengers were next up, with Andrea Dovizioso taking fourth and title rival Marc Marquez locking out the top five. The two were only 0.035 apart and just ahead of Maverick Viñales.

FP1 Result

Pos Rider Team Time Gap 1st/Prev.
1 Andrea IANNONE Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1'31.045  
2 Jack MILLER EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1'31.357 0.312 / 0.312
3 Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1'31.438 0.393 / 0.081
4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 1'31.476 0.431 / 0.038
5 Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 1'31.511 0.466 / 0.035
6 Maverick VIÑALES Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1'31.750 0.705 / 0.239
7 Johann ZARCO Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1'31.808 0.763 / 0.058
8 Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda 1'31.827 0.782 / 0.019
9 Mika KALLIO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1'31.879 0.834 / 0.052
10 Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda Team 1'31.950 0.905 / 0.071
11 Michele PIRRO Ducati Team 1'31.979 0.934 / 0.029
12 Jorge LORENZO Ducati Team 1'31.980 0.935 / 0.001
13 Danilo PETRUCCI OCTO Pramac Racing 1'32.029 0.984 / 0.049
14 Alvaro BAUTISTA Pull&Bear Aspar Team 1'32.504 1.459 / 0.475
15 Tito RABAT EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1'32.504 1.459
16 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1'32.516 1.471 / 0.012
17 Scott REDDING OCTO Pramac Racing 1'32.535 1.490 / 0.019
18 Valentino ROSSI Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1'32.538 1.493 / 0.003
19 Hector BARBERA Reale Avintia Racing 1'32.623 1.578 / 0.085
20 Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1'32.797 1.752 / 0.174
21 Karel ABRAHAM Pull&Bear Aspar Team 1'32.940 1.895 / 0.143
22 Sam LOWES Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1'32.985 1.940 / 0.045
23 Bradley SMITH Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1'33.013 1.968 / 0.028
24 Loris BAZ Reale Avintia Racing 1'33.183 2.138 / 0.170
25 Michael VAN DER MARK Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1'34.521 3.476 / 1.338

 

source: motogp.com

 

         

 

 

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