Buriram, Thailand: World champion Francesco Bagnaia set a lap record in powering to pole position Saturday for the Thailand MotoGP sprint race and grand prix, with chief title rival Jorge Martin starting from third after a late crash.

Francesco Bagnaia held the upper hand in qualifying for the Thailand Grand Prix as he notched up his fourth pole position of the season in Buriram, while MotoGP title rival Jorge Martin suffered a crash.

Marc Marquez led the way on Friday as he set a new all-time lap record, Martin and Bagnaia finished in second and fourth.

Marco Bezzecchi was fastest in opening practice for the Thailand MotoGP on Friday with championship rivals Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia second and third respectively. Spaniard Martin, who claimed a clean sweep of pole position,

Friday practice results from the MotoGP World Championship event at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand.

MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia twice smashed the lap record in warm and humid conditions at the Buriram International Circuit on Saturday to take pole position for the Thailand Grand Prix. The Ducati rider sped to a record time of one minute and 29.

Marc Marquez ended the opening day of action for the Thailand Grand Prix atop the timesheets with a new MotoGP lap record to his name at the Chang International Circuit. The Gresini Ducati rider, who won last time out in Australia,