Marquez secures Mugello pole

Mugello - Spain's world champion Marc Marquez secured his sixth successive pole position in six races this season as he timed fastest in qualifying for Sunday's Italian MotoGP at Mugello.

The 21-year-old Honda rider, who has won the opening five races this season to become the first rider since Giacomo Agostini in 1972 to achieve that feat, was recording his 43rd career pole.

"I have already demonstrated that I am fast this year but I am also showing I am consistent," said Marquez, whose six poles in a row in MotoGP emulates the performance of Australian Casey Stoner in 2008.

He edged out Italian Andrea Iannone and Spain's two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha.

"I hope above all I don't crash," joked Iannone, who has acquired a reputation for crashing.

Lorenzo, who has a had a poor season by his high standards and presently stands in just fifth place in the championship race, 80 points adrift of Marquez, was happy with his performance.

"I'm satisfied with third place because it's important to start in the first row here to try to avoid some problems with the first laps and be with the front group," said the 27-year-old.

"I feel like it's a second place because Iannone has extra soft tyres that can maybe get some extra tenths."

Iannone had provided evidence of this as earlier on his Ducati he had established in the practice session a new official top speed record for the MotoGP world championship of 349.6km/h (217.2 mph).

Iannone's compatriot, nine-time champion Valentino Rossi, was left fuming by a mix up over his tyres which will see him start from 10th on the grid in what will be his 300th race at this level.

"We made a big mistake in the qualifying, we decided to change the front tyre at the same time as the second rear," said the 35-year-old, who last year ended a two season winning drought when he won the Dutch MotoGP.

"It was the wrong decision, I felt really bad with the softer front and I was unable to improve my lap time.

"It's a great shame, because I had a good potential and could have started on the front, my pace is good with the bike, but it's like this. Tomorrow from the fourth row everything will be harder and more difficult."

1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1min 47.270sec
2. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati Pramac) at 0.180sec
3. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 0.251
4. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 0.314
5. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Tech3) 0.342
6. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Ducati) 0.389
7. Bradley Smith (GBR/Yamaha Tech3) 0.411
8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 0.484
9. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda LCR) 0.495
10. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 0.521
11. Alvaro Bautista (Honda Gresini) 0.862
12. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Forward) 0.948