Marc Márquez is thisclose to making racing history… And, he’s in the prime position to approve it.

The 20-year-old Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, the current MotoGP points leaders, will start ahead of defending champion Jorge Lorenzo in the decisive Valencia Grand Prix after winning the pole position in the qualifying session on Saturday.

Márquez pushed his Honda through a lap in 1 minute, 30.237 seconds on the 2.48 mile Cheste Circuit.

Lorenzo will start Sunday’s season finale in second on the grid.

Márquez leads Lorenzo by 13 points entering the final race of the season. He needs a top-four finish to become the first rookie to win the championship since American Kenny Roberts in 1978.