Arizona Tribune - MotoGP leader Martin speeds to British Grand Prix pole

Spanish rider Martin was not only the fastest in Saturday's midday qualifying session in perfect conditions at the Silverstone track, but also broke the all-time lap record with a time of 1min 56.160sec.

It was the second time in two days that the record fell after Martin's Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi blitzed to 1min 56.280sec in practice on Friday despite fracturing a collarbone at the German MotoGP last time out.

Italian Bezzecchi will start fifth on the grid for Saturday's 10-lap sprint race and Sunday's 20-lap Grand Prix.

Behind Martin are compatriot Raul Fernandez, riding another Aprilia for the Trackhouse team, just 0.021sec behind, followed by Japan's Ai Ogura and Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio.

The Marquez brothers, Marc and Alex, round out the top seven.

Marc Marquez revived his title defence by winning in Germany and is only 18 points behind Martin in the standings, and four points adrift of second-placed Ogura.

The top five in the championship race, with Bezzecchi in fourth and Di Giannantonio fifth, are separated by just 24 points.

The sprint race takes place at 1500 GMT.

Ch.Campbell--AT