SILVERSTONE: Runaway world championship leader Marc Marquez secured his 10th pole position out of a possible 12 this season on Saturday as he recorded the fastest time in qualifying for the British MotoGP at Silverstone.

The 21-year-old Spaniard — who saw his bid for a record 11th successive win ended with fourth in the Czech race a fortnight ago — will start on the front of the grid on his Honda alongside Italian Andrea Dovizioso and Spain’s two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

Marquez, who along with his brother Alex who races in the Moto3 category was watched by their father Julia from the pitlane, said that he had been cautious after a crash in morning practice.

“It was only a small crash but I was still careful in qualifying,” said Marquez, who was recording his 46th career pole.

“I’m happy with the bike and hoping for a good day tomorrow (Sunday) and fighting for victory,” he told BT Sport.

Dovizioso, who sits in fifth position in the standings with 118 points, said that hard work by his Ducati team was starting to pay off.

“The team has worked really hard and I am so happy with the results. The race will be difficult but we are improving,” said the Italian.

Lorenzo, who will be bidding for a third successive British GP win, said he and his Yamaha team had come good in adversity.

“This bike is very difficult to ride,” he said. “We have improved it a little bit and got a good time here in difficult conditions so I have to be very satisfied.”

On the second row will be Aleix Esparagaro while Czech MotoGP winner and Marquez’ team-mate Dani Pedrosa is on the third row with Italian legend Valentino Rossi.

Marquez has 263 points after 11 races with Pedrosa, who has never won the world title in this category or the 500cc its predecessor, second on 186 and Rossi is third with 173.

Published in Dawn, August 31th, 2014