AUSTIN: Marc Marquez maintained his perfect start to the MotoGP season with a third consecutive pole at the Grand Prix of the Americas on Saturday.

Shrugging off a heavy fall in Friday's wet opening practice Marquez proved uncatchable in qualifying with a fastest lap of 2min 01.088sec on his factory Ducati.

The winner of the sprint and race from pole at the two opening weekends in Thailand and Argentina is aiming for a record-extending eighth win at the Texas track.

The Spaniard is joined on the front row for Saturday's sprint and Sunday's main event by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati-VR46) and Alex Marquez on another satellite Ducati.

The 2025 season has turned into a Marquez benefit so far with Marquez's brother Alex finishing second each time.

Marquez leads his younger sibling by 16 points in the standings as he goes in search of a record-equalling seventh elite class world title.