---
title: "Marquez ‘pushed too hard’ in Aragon qualifying"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/09/23/marquez-pushed-hard-aragon-qualifying/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-09-23T17:06:43Z"
modified: "2017-09-23T17:07:08Z"
---

# Marquez ‘pushed too hard’ in Aragon qualifying

Marc Marquez says his crash at the end of MotoGP qualifying for the Aragon Grand Prix was the result of him simply pushing over the limit as sought for his seventh pole of 2017.

The Honda rider – who suffered a tumble in fourth practice – set the benchmark pace in Q2 with a 1m47.963s on the second lap of his first run.

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/09/852372724.jpg)

Keen to cement a seventh pole in eight years at Aragon, the Spaniard was on course to further improve when he drifted wide into Turn 12 as he pushed and lost the front as he tried to make the corner.

With the factory Yamaha pair of Maverick Vinales – who snatched pole – and Valentino Rossi, as well as Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo and LCR’s Cal Crutchlow posting quicker times, Marquez was shuffled back to fifth.

Disappointed at his error, Marquez still starts ahead of joint championship leader Andrea Dovizioso and is confident of a podium push on Sunday.

“In qualifying, I probably pushed a bit too much, went wide and crashed,” said Marquez.

“So, second row is not the best, but our speed is there and I’m happy with that.

“We need to analyse everything and make a good tyre choice, which will be challenging as we don’t have much data.

“Anyway, I think we have the pace to fight for the podium.”

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/09/852374150.jpg)

Ducati’s Dovizioso – who sits equal on 199 points at the top of the standings with Marquez – suffered on Saturday as the result of a lack of dry track time on Friday.

The Italian, who admits Aragon does not suit his riding style, was six tenths off of the pace Marquez set in third practice, and could only manage a 1m48.137s for seventh in qualifying – his worst Saturday performance since the German Grand Prix in July.

While main championship rivals Vinales and Marquez start in front of him, Dovizioso remains optimistic and believes tyre choice will ultimately prove the crucial factor in deciding the outcome of the race.

“Unfortunately, because of the conditions we found yesterday, today we didn’t have much time to work on the bike and try the various types of tyres available,” explained Dovizioso.

“Before qualifying I didn’t have a great feeling, but I managed anyway to set a good time and we are all pretty close together.

“Even though I’m starting a bit behind in seventh place, I think I have a good chance for the race and tomorrow it will be the choice of rear tyre that will make all the difference.

“For us, all three options are interesting.”