Misano Adriatic (Italy), Sep 15 (IANS): Spanish rider Maverick Viñales of Yamaha snatched pole position from his compatriot Pol Espargaro of KTM ahead of the San Marino MotoGP.
Espargaro finished the second qualifying round in the second spot ahead of one of the race favorites, Vinales' teammate Fabio Quartararo of France on Saturday, reports Efe news.
"KTM and Pol Espargaro are denied a historic maiden pole as Vinales takes his first pole since Qatar!" MotoGP posted to Twitter.
"I feel really good… I feel good on the bike, I am riding, I am trying to make my best," Vinales said.
The fierce competition between Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda and Yamaha's Valentino Rossi of Italy in the last Q2 flying lap did not end in favor of either of them. Marquez finished in the fifth spot following Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli of Italy, while Rossi was placed seventh.
The race will take place on Sunday.