Summary Marc Marquez grabbed the pole position for the Valencia Grand Prix on Saturday.
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) - MotoGP points leader Marc Marquez will start ahead of defending champion Jorge Lorenzo in the decisive Valencia Grand Prix after he won pole position in Saturday s qualifying session.
Marquez pushed his Honda through a flying lap in 1 minute, 30.237 seconds on the 4-kilometer (2.48 mile) Cheste Circuit to set a track record and make sure Lorenzo will start Sunday s season finale from second place on the grid.
Marquez leads Lorenzo by 13 points entering the 18th and final race of the season. The 20-year-old Marquez needs a top-four finish to become the first rookie to win the championship since American Kenny Roberts in 1978.
Marquez had a wobble near the end of the session, and he said he took that as a sign of what could happen Sunday if he lets his guard down.
"I had a small scare on the last lap when I was a little relaxed and it made me see that I can t lose my concentration tomorrow," Marquez said. "Jorge has a little more speed right now, but we will stay focused on our race."
Lorenzo made a good start with a blistering first lap. But he returned to the paddock with four minutes left to change to another Yamaha, throwing his arm up in frustration as he got off his first bike.
"I was feeling confident going out with soft tires, but suddenly the bike stopped working well and lost half its power," Lorenzo said.
Lorenzo would defend the title if he wins the race and Marquez finishes fifth or worse.
"It s very tough with 13 points. They re a lot," said Lorenzo. "Seeing Marc finish fifth or sixth or worse is difficult to imagine, but anything can happen so we have to be ready."
Marquez s teammate Dani Pedrosa will start from third, followed by Lorenzo s partner Valentino Rossi in fourth ahead of British pair Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith.
Spanish riders can sweep all three categories at the track which has reportedly sold out its 100,000 seats for the highly anticipated race.
In Moto3, Alex Rins took pole position for Sunday s race when he will duel with fellow Spaniards Luis Salom and Marc Vinales for the title.
Salom leads the Moto3 standings with 300 points. Vinales has 298, and Rins has 295.
"I m very calm and satisfied with the work of my team this season," Rins said. "Let s see if my nerves don t betray me tomorrow."
In Moto2, newly crowned champion Pol Espargaro took pole ahead of Simone Corsi and Jordi Torres.
