Bagnaia claims pole and another new lap record at Dutch GP

Francesco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion, secured pole position on Saturday by breaking the lap record once again at the Dutch Moto Grand Prix in Assen.

The factory Ducati rider, known as "Pecco," clocked a time of 1min 30.540sec, nearly a second faster than his Friday time, to lead the pack in Saturday's sprint and Sunday's race.

Jorge Martin, the current world championship leader on a Prima Pramac Ducati, qualified just behind Bagnaia and also broke the lap record set by Bagnaia on Friday.

With Bagnaia closing in on Martin's championship lead of 171 points with 153 points, the upcoming sprint and race are expected to be a battle between the two riders.

Bagnaia expressed his excitement about securing pole position in front of the crowd, calling it fantastic. He acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained determined.

The Assen track, known as the "Cathedral," is one of Bagnaia's favorites due to the incredible smoothness of some corners.

Martin, feeling confident in facing Bagnaia's challenge, noted the progress his team has made since Friday and expressed strength for the upcoming race.

Maverick Vinales of Aprilia took the third spot in qualifying, followed by Alex Marquez on a Gresini Ducati. Aleix Espargaro, in his last race at Assen, qualified fifth, with Fabio Di Giannantonio of Ducati's Pertamina Enduro VR46 team in sixth.

Marc Marquez, currently third in the standings, will start in seventh place, followed by Franco Morbidelli on a Prima Pramac Ducati and Brad Binder on a KTM factory machine.

Marquez, riding a Gresini Ducati, crashed during the latter stages of qualification while attempting to overtake Espargaro in one of Assen's left-hand corners.