FIM 125cc World Championship Le Mans, France May 16, 2009 Final Qualifying Results (wet conditions): 1. Marc MARQUEZ (KTM), 1:47.080 2. Scott REDDING (Aprilia), 1:47.173 3. Nicolas TEROL (Aprilia), 1:47.783 4. Dominique AEGERTER (Derbi), 1:47.995 5. Joan OLIVE (Derbi), 1:48.085 6. Bradley SMITH (Aprilia), 1:48.115 7. Julian SIMON (Aprilia), 1:48.334 8. Stefan BRADL (Aprilia), 1:48.508 9. Tomoyoshi KOYAMA (Loncin), 1:49.313 10. Danny WEBB (Aprilia), 1:49.439 11. Cameron BEAUBIER (KTM), 1:49.695 More, from a press release issued by KTM: KTM’s Marquez on pole for 125 cc GP in Le Mans Sixteen year old Spaniard Marc Marquez rode to a superb pole position on the Le Mans circuit on Saturday to secure his first career pole position ahead of the 125 cc GP on Sunday, bringing freshness and zest to the Red Bull KTM Moto Sport team. Marquez, who scored his first podium in front of his home crowd in Jerez two weeks ago, rode a masterly session to finish on top just at the close of what was a turbulent qualifying on a track that was still wet in places after recent rain. He finished just 0.093 seconds ahead of Briton Scott Redding as the two charged through the chequered flag. Rain in the morning prior to the session made for tricky conditions and many riders, both prominent and less experienced finished in the gravel. Forecasts indicate there is a 50% chance of rain for race day on Sunday at the famous French circuit. First ever pole for Marc Marquez “A pole position is always important, but this is my first pole ever, which is a moment I will always remember,” the Spanish rider said. “The conditions were tricky because the track was half dry and half wet but the grip level improved towards the end and I managed to get a good run. Tomorrow we will fight for top positions, and I won’t exclude even the highest aims from my dreams – everything is possible! We have a good setting for dry conditions, so I hope luck will stay on our side. We received new engine parts here for this race which helps us to further improve. The engine is running really well and we are on the same level as the fastest Aprilia. KTM really bring new things to each and every race, and I have a motorcycle that is competitive to remain in front!! Good result from Beaubier The team’s second 16-year-old, American Cameron Beaubier who is in his rookie year with the factory team, also had an excellent result, finishing just off the first two rows in eleventh place. It was Cameron’s first ride on the Le Mans circuit and although he was reasonably happy with his performance he admitted that he had made some mistakes in the closing minutes of the session and got caught up in traffic that prevented him being further up the order. Fagerhaug unstuck in wet track conditions Unlucky was the young Norwegian Sturla Fagerhaug, the Red Bull Rookie rider who has a wild card to ride with the Red Bull KTM Moto Sport Team at Le Mans. He high-sided in the first lap when the track was still wet. Sturla returned to the track but was again involved in another close encounter that spoilt his chances of a good qualifying time. Bartol satisfied The factory team’s technical director Harald Bartol also expressed satisfaction in Marquez, saying his performance today indicated he had been the right choice for the team for the world championship. “But even though we knew about his talent all along, it is still a surprise to see how quick his progress is. We brought some new engine parts here to Le Mans, which might have helped him a bit, and our next development step will be on the chassis side, with a new version hopefully being ready after the Barcelona Grand Prix. The tricky weather conditions made success more a question of riding skill than the best possible set-up or bike performance, and Marc certainly made the best out of it. Beaubier also makes rapid progress, and even Fagerhaug would have qualified easily. But he crashed, and then towards the end, Ranseder got in his way and he crashed again. I hope we will get him to race somehow,” Bartol commented.