MotoGP: Spain invades England – Marquez on pole!

If you want a tool to measure the reservoir of talent that Marc Marquez rides with, take this gem. Before Saturday, August 31, the MotoGP qualifying record at Silverstone was held by Casey Stoner. During qualifying for the 2013 edition of the great race at Silverstone, defending champion, Jorge Lorenzo, positioned himself to rewrite the history book – he broke the record.

As soon as his new mark was entered on the line in the book, Marc Marquez rode into town. It has been reported elsewhere that Lorenzo said he thought he had pole. It was a hopeful thought. When the new kid on the block – Marc Marquez – rode through, Lorenzo was left eating humble-pie!

It has been reported that he (Lorenzo) said he was disappointed because he thought he had done one of the best laps of his whole career. Please note – one of the best laps of his whole career – not one of the best laps of the weekend. So, after doing one of the best laps in his whole career, a career which includes winning the World Championship – he came second best to Marquez! Now, put that in your Yamaha and smoke it!

These, I assure you, gentlemen, are exciting times in MotoGP. Marquez’s Honda will scream to life from pole, with Lorenzo next in line. Cal Crutchlow, we all know, is not riding the ‘big, bad’ Yamaha machines Lorenzo and Rossi have the honor of hurling into corners at mind-numbing speeds. But, Crutchlow is as fearless as they come. He has the substance that Stoner spoke about when he mocked Rossi for his failure at Ducati – suggesting that Rossi was not willing to take the risks necessary to get the most out of the Ducati. Crutchlow, some might think, takes too many risks! But, I am certain he is only a few races away from a contract with a ‘big team’.

Riding at home, on the ragged edge, Crutchlow scorched a lit trail and claimed third on the grid. A valiant effort!

The Silverstone GP tomorrow promises to be exciting. Do you want to pick a winner?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer