Motorcycling-Marini obliterates lap record to take pole at Qatar Grand Prix

MotoGP - Thailand Grand Prix - Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand - October 28, 2023 Mooney VR46 Racing Team's Luca Marini celebrates on the podium after finishing third in the sprint race REUTERS/Athit Perawonmetha/ File Photo

(Reuters) -VR46 racing rider Luca Marini smashed the lap record late in the second qualifying session to take pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit on Saturday as Ducati bikes locked out the front row.

On a day when the lap record was broken by several riders across the two qualifying sessions, Gresini Racing's Fabio Di Giannantonio was the first rider to dip below the one minute 52 second mark and he was soon joined by team mate Alex Marquez.