Reigning MotoGP World Champion had his Austin pole position removed by race stewards after he was judged to have got in the way of Maverick Vinales while on an out lap.
Marquez had crashed during his first run and while making his subsequent pit exit, was touring on the racing line in sector three just as Yamaha’s Vinales was coming through on a potential pole lap.
Vinales remonstrated with the Repsol Honda man but they kissed and made up in parc ferme. However, Marquez was summoned before the headmaster and will now start tomorrow’s race from row two.
“I didn’t think anyone was behind because I was looking more for Iannone and then I heard the engine. I moved to the side as quick as possible, but looks like I disturbed the lap,” said Marquez.
It puts Vinales into pole position, Andrea Iannone moved across one place to second and Johann Zarco will now continue his run of front-row starts.