Le Mans MotoGP: Marquez takes pole as Dovi storms to front row

Marc Marquez stormed to his second pole position of his career, in only his fourth MotoGP race, ahead of Spanish championship rival Jorge Lorenzo.

Marquez just pipped the reigning world champion, taking pole by only 0.03 seconds, having recovered from a heavy crash at turn one in the previous FP4 session.

However, the real shock of the session was Andrea Dovizioso, piloting his factory Ducati to third, only 0.4 behind the front two. He has given the Bologna team their first front row start since Nicky Hayden at Jerez last season.

Cal Crutchlow was fourth, recovering from an earlier crash where he slammed heavily into the French tarmac. A detour via the medical centre on his bicycle got him back on track just in time.

Stefan Bradl was fifth, Dani Pedrosa sixth after a crash of his own, replicating his teammate’s turn one off.

Alvaro Bautista was seventh ahead of Valentino Rossi, who had a disasterous session to finish only 0.02 ahead of Bradley Smith. Nicky Hayden rounded out the top ten.

Aleix Espargaro and Randy de Puniet were 11th and 12th, having both progressed from the Q1 session to be the top CRT machines. Michael Laverty was 20th after making improvements on his track time again.