Sachsenring (Germany) (AFP)

Marc Marquez (Honda) will start Sunday in pole position at the German GP MotoGP, ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha-SRT) who overcame his injuries and was again impressive for his first season in MotoGP.

Marquez, five times world champion and current provisional leader of the championship, confirms his status as a favorite for this race on the Sachsenring circuit, which he has won every year since 2013.

"I'm happy, but the Yamaha and Suzuki drivers are doing really well," said the Spaniard.

Fabio Quartararo was again his most serious rival, finishing only 205 / 1000th of him. Starting in 1st place on the grid at the Dutch GP last week - his 3rd pole of the season - he finished 2nd in the race behind Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) who will start third in the grid Sunday at 14:00.

Already disabled on the circuit of Assen last week by the consequences of an operation in the right forearm early June to treat a syndrome of the lodges, Quartararo dislocated the left shoulder Saturday morning during the third session free practice following a spectacular guiding of his motorcycle.

"I have pain in my arm and shoulder," he said Saturday after qualifications on Canal + antennas. Currently 6th in the world championship, he has not yet won a MotoGP race, the premier category in which he starts this year. The last French victory, that of Régis Laconi, goes back to 1999.

Alex Rins (Suzuki) will start in 4th place on the grid, his current position in the World Championship standings.

The disappointment came from the Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso, currently 2nd in the world championship, failing to enter the top 12 admitted in Q2. It will go far on the grid, in 13th position. His teammate Danilo Petrucci, 3rd in the championship, will be just ahead in 12th place. He qualified in Q2 but fell and did only the 12th and last time.

It is therefore the Australian Jack Miller on the Ducati of the Pramac satellite team who finds himself the best placed driver of Italian machines with a 5th position on the grid.

? 2019 AFP