Maverick Vinales, riding for Aprilia, made a remarkable statement during qualifying at Circuit Ricardo Tormo by setting the first-ever 1m28s lap. Vinales logged a time of 1m28.931s, securing his first pole since Assen in 2021. The achievement came merely two days before his surprising announcement that he would be parting ways with Yamaha a year earlier than anticipated. This stunning performance sets the stage for an exhilarating sprint race later in the afternoon.
Factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia displayed his prowess in Q1, only to finish Q2 in second place behind Vinales. Despite his strong performance, title rival Jorge Martin of Pramac struggled and finished in a disappointing sixth position. Johann Zarco, from the Ducati satellite team, managed to secure a spot on the front row, lining up in third place for his last race before joining LCR Honda next season. These qualifying results tip the scales in Bagnaia’s favor as he aims to claim his second consecutive title by outperforming Martin by a margin of four points in the sprint race.
Jorge Martin had a heart-stopping moment at the start of Q2 when a tear-off from Marc Marquez’s bike nearly became lodged in his airbox. Martin skillfully halted the airborne debris with his hand, narrowly averting disaster. As the qualifying session progressed, Vinales initially took the lead with a time of 1m29.534s, swiftly surpassed by factory KTM rider Brad Binder. However, it was Bagnaia who ultimately set a new lap record, clocking in at an impressive 1m29.023s.
As the clock ticked down, tension filled the air. Marquez, eager to take risks in his final weekend with Honda before his move to Gresini in 2024, engaged in a close battle with Martin at Turn 8. Meanwhile, Vinales improved his time, ultimately matching Bagnaia’s 1m28.931s lap. The drama intensified when Marquez crashed behind Martin at Turn 2, causing Martin to abandon his lap after experiencing a significant wobble at Turn 4. As the session neared its end, multiple riders, including Alex Marquez and Binder, suffered crashes at various corners, adding to the chaos and unpredictability of the qualifying session.
Before the drama of Q2 unfolded, Bagnaia asserted his dominance in Q1. Despite starting the session in 15th place, he quickly showcased his abilities by setting a lap record of 1m29.054s. This outstanding performance propelled him to the top of the session, leaving his competitors trailing in his wake. Bagnaia’s success in Q1 highlighted his determination to secure the championship title.
As the qualifying session concluded, the starting grid for the sprint race began to crystallize. Jack Miller from KTM secured the fourth position, while Binder claimed fifth. Martin’s disappointing result landed him in sixth place. VR46 Ducati rider Marco Bezzecchi impressed with his seventh-place finish, followed closely by the Marquez brothers, Alex and Marc, in eighth and ninth place, respectively. Raul Fernandez concluded the top 10 for RNF Aprilia, with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Aleix Espargaro rounding off the top 12 for Aprilia.
The qualifying session brought some unexpected performances from emerging talents. Augusto Fernandez narrowly missed out on a Q2 spot, solidifying his promising rookie season on the Tech3 GasGas machine. Enea Bastianini, representing the factory Ducati team, finished just behind Fernandez. Factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo completed the fifth row, demonstrating his commitment to improvement.
Amidst the excitement and competition, Honda’s Joan Mir announced his unavailability for the final round of the season due to a severe crash during Friday’s practice. Mir made the difficult decision to prioritize his recovery, preparing for the upcoming test session on Tuesday.
Maverick Vinales showcased his skill and determination by securing pole position with a blazing lap time at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The stage is set for an intense sprint race, where Francesco Bagnaia will push to defend his championship hopes against Jorge Martin. As the grid solidifies and the tension builds, fans can anticipate an electrifying finale to the MotoGP season.
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