Marc Marquez's MotoGP resurgence continued as the reigning world champion secured pole position for this weekend's round at Indianapolis.
The factory Honda rider set the pace from the outset with his session best of 1:31.884s emerging on his first flying lap of qualifying.
Marquez was challenged in the final minutes of qualifying by team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who closed to within 0.171s of his team-mate.
Jorge Lorenzo saved his best until the dying moments to snatch the final place on the front row with his factory Yamaha 0.302s adrift of the blistering pace of the works Hondas.
LCR Honda's Cal Crutchlow looked certain to start from the front row before Lorenzo's last gasp effort saw him forced to settle for fourth.
Danilo Petrucci led the line for the Ducati riders with the Pramac Racing man fifth ahead of Tech 3 Yamaha's Bradley Smith and the factory Ducati of Andrea Iannone.
Championship leader Valentino Rossi struggled to match the front runners with the nine-time world champion only managing to post a time good enough for eighth on the grid.
The Suzuki of Maverick Vinales and Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso rounded out the top 10.
Australia's Jack Miller will start from 16th position after an encouraging run on the Open Class LCR Honda.
Result: MotoGP Indianapolis Grand Prix Qualifying
Position | Rider | Team | Time | Gap |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marc Marquez | Honda | 1:31.884s | – |
2 | Daniel Pedrosa | Honda | 1:32.055s | +0.171s |
3 | Jorge Lorenzo | Yamaha | 1:32.186s | +0.302s |
4 | Cal Crutchlow | LCR Honda | 1:32.208s | +0.324s |
5 | Danilo Petrucci | Pramac Racing Ducati | 1:32.243s | +0.359s |
6 | Bradley Smith | Tech 3 Yamaha | 1:32.269s | +0.385s |
7 | Andrea Iannone | Ducati | 1:32.468s | +0.584s |
8 | Valentino Rossi | Yamaha | 1:32.511s | +0.627s |
9 | Maverick Vinales | Suzuki | 1:32.571s | +0.687s |
10 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | 1:32.636s | +0.752s |
11 | Pol Espargaro | Tech 3 Yamaha | 1:32.670s | +0.786s |
12 | Aleix Espargaro | Suzuki | 1:32.814s | +0.930s |
13 | Scott Redding | Marc VDS Honda | 1:33.170s | +1.286s |
14 | Hector Barbera | Avintia Racing Ducati | 1:33.199s | +1.315s |
15 | Yonny Hernandez | Pramac Racing Ducati | 1:33.278s | +1.394s |
16 | Jack Miller | LCR Honda | 1:33.381s | +1.497s |
17 | Stefan Bradl | Aprilia Gresini | 1:33.822s | +1.938s |
18 | Alvaro Bautista | Aprilia Gresini | 1:33.839s | +1.955s |
19 | Eugene Laverty | Aspar Honda | 1:33.978s | +2.094s |
20 | Nicky Hayden | Aspar Hinda | 1:34.030s | +2.146s |
21 | Alex de Angelis | IodaRacing Project | 1:34.226s | +2.342s |
22 | Mike Di Meglio | Avintia Racing Ducati | 1:34.322s | +2.438s |
23 | Toni Elias | AB Motoracing Honda | 1:35.167s | 3.283s |