{
  "id": 11624584,
  "title": "Martin grabs Japan MotoGP pole, Marc Marquez second",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/martin-grabs-japan-motogp-pole-marc-marquez-second",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T06:25:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1546773/martin-grabs-japan-motogp-pole-marc-marquez-second"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MotoGP world championship leader Jorge Martin secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, with title rival Marc Marquez occupying the second spot. Pedro Acosta rounded out the front row for Spain. The Aprilia rider Martin had previously taken pole in Austria two weeks ago. He set a blistering lap record of 1:42.371 at the Motegi circuit, edging out Marquez by 0.110 seconds. Acosta was 0.122 seconds behind Martin. Marquez, riding a Ducati, was 0.110 seconds off Martin's pace. After slow practice sessions, Martin expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating he felt confident and that his team was finding their rhythm. Marquez, despite his record-breaking speed, struggled with wobbling and knocking off course during qualifying. The Italian Marco Bezzecchi will start fourth, followed by Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio on Ducati. The third row features Enea Bastianini on KTM, Raul Fernandez also on Aprilia, and Diogo Moreira on Honda. Local hero Ai Ogura from Japan will start in the fourth row.",
  "summary": "MOTEGI: MotoGP world championship leader Jorge Martin stormed to pole position on Saturday for the Japanese Grand Prix, with title rival Marc Marquez alongside him on the grid.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Aprilia's Martin sets lap record at Japanese MotoGP to snatch pole from Marquez",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/aprilias-martin-sets-lap-record-at-japanese-motogp-to-snatch-pole",
        "published": "2026-10-03T03:20:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Aprilia’s Martin snatches Japanese MotoGP pole from Marquez",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/aprilias-martin-snatches-japanese-motogp-pole-from-marquez",
        "published": "2026-10-03T03:33:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}