Gran Premi Monster Energy De Catalunya

FIM MotoGP World Championship

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain

June 16, 2018

Qualifying Results (all on Michelin tires):

From Qualifying Two:

1. Jorge Lorenzo, Spain (Ducati), 1:38.680

2. Marc Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:38.746

3. Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Ducati), 1:38.923

4. Maverick Vinales, Spain (Yamaha), 1:39.145

5. Andrea Iannone, Italy (Suzuki), 1:39.148

6. Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), 1:39.178

7. Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:39.266

8. Johann Zarco, France (Yamaha), 1:39.331

9. Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), 1:39.504

10. Cal Crutchlow, UK (Honda), 1:39.556

11. Dani Pedrosa, Spain (Honda), 1:39.695

12. Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 1:39.888

From Qualifying One:

13. Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:39.732

14. Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (Yamaha), 1:39.879

15. Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:39.918

16. Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.010

17. Bradley Smith, UK (KTM), 1:40.019

18. Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Honda), 1:40.058

19. Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), 1:40.178

20. Scott Redding, UK (Aprilia), 1:40.300

21. Karel Abraham, Czech Republic (Ducati), 1:40.449

22. Alvaro Bautista, Spain (Ducati), 1:40.524

23. Mika Kallio, Finland (KTM), 1:40.572

24. Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Honda), 1:40.590

25. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suzuki), 1:40.834

26. Xavier Simeon, Belgium (Ducati), 1:41.369

More, from a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech3:

Zarco seizes third row start in Catalunya – Syahrin confirms strong pace

Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Johann Zarco initiated the second day at the Catalan Grand Prix with some very fast laps during FP3, where he snatched fifth position, just 0.220 seconds from the top of the ultra-close MotoGP field. During Qualifying this afternoon, the Frenchman fought hard and eventually ended up in eighth, launching his 24 laps attack tomorrow at 14.00 local time from the third row of the grid.

On the other side of the garage, Hafizh Syahrin impressed after finishing the third Free Practice session one second faster than on Friday morning and confirmed his great pace in FP4 again, where he clinched a fantastic P9. In Q1 the Malaysian rookie narrowly missed out on the top 2 and will kick off his seventh ever premier class race from his best ever starting position to date, after equaling P14 again.

Johann Zarco

Position: 8th – Time: 1’39.331 – Laps: 7

“I must be happy, because I gave all I could give on the bike today. The other riders are very fast and it’s difficult to do better at the moment. We need to accept this position and the fact, that this is the level we have. A fast lap in Qualifying was quite hard, so maybe we can be more competitive regarding race pace for this weekend. So, I hope I feel good on the bike tomorrow and that I’m able to use my pace in order to get the best possible position.”

Hafizh Syahrin

Position: 14th – Time: 1’39.879 – Laps: 8

“Honestly, I’m, a bit disappointed by myself. Maybe I have been a bit too nervous, as I was quite strong from yesterday until FP4. With the hot condition I also lost a bit of rear grip in turn three and that’s why I couldn’t improve my lap time from this morning, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s race, because I have a good pace. Nakagami is not very far from me and I aim to do a decent start tomorrow, plus try and see what will happen and which role I can play during the race.”

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:

MOTOGP, QUALIFYING DAY IN BARCELONA

SIXTH AND SEVENTH ROW FOR THE APRILIA BIKES

In the GP of Catalunya, the seventh round of the MotoGP World Championship, Aleix Espargaró will start Tomorrow from the sixth row of the grid. His teammate, Scott Redding, will be right behind him on the seventh row.

In the final free practice session, Aleix attempted an assault on the top ten which would have put him straight through to Q2 and guaranteed a spot on one of the first four rows, but he stopped short just a half a second from tenth place. In the first qualifying session, hindered by problems with grip, he finished sixth for a combined sixteenth place at 1’40.010.

Scott Redding improved from his morning times and finished with a 1’40.3 that earned him a spot on the seventh row.

ALEIX ESPARGARO’

“It was a demanding Saturday and our performance is not what we had expected it to be. I am struggling with grip, both at the front and at the rear, and especially on the front I did not find a compound that entirely convinces me. With the soft, I’m able to be fast for a few laps, but then the drop is evident and with the medium I have no feeling at all. The track is very slippery for everyone, but the others are able to manage the problem and take a step forward in performance with the new tyre. I am very consistent with the used tyre and that will be important in the race, whereas in the early laps, we don’t make the difference. We need to find a better balance for the RS-GP. It is not a huge problem, but a series of details that need to be sorted.”

SCOTT REDDING

“To be honest, this was one of my best days. Like yesterday, we did not make any big changes, but I focused on my riding style and finding the right pace. Especially in qualifying, I was able to be rather fast, considering the fact that in the other sessions I worked primarily to find the right tyre combination for the race, doing longer runs. I am fairly certain that I’ll use the hard on the rear, whereas for the front we’ll decide tomorrow based on the temperatures. It will be a delicate decision, but looking at the data here in Barcelona, I struggle less than the others from this point of view.”

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:

LANDMARK DAY FOR TAKA IN BARCELONA

LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider Takaaki Nakagami enjoyed his best qualifying result of the season at the Grand Prix of Catalunya on Saturday. The Japanese rookie secured 12th place on the grid for Sunday’s race after progressing to Q2 for the first time since joining the MotoGP class.

With Barcelona bathed in hot and sunny conditions again, Taka managed 16th in the FP3 session but was then able to make real progress with the set-up of his Honda. It saw him produce a superb display in Q1 where he finished second behind world champion Marc Marquez to earn his maiden appearance with the top ten in Q2. There he finished less than two tenths behind Dani Pedrosa in 11th and now heads into Sunday’s race full of confidence.

Takaaki Nakagami– 12th

(1’39.888 – lap 6 of 8)

“I’m very happy about today’s qualifying and finally we got into Q2 which was a big step. I’m pleased to see all the team looking so happy. The team did a great job and we improved the set-up of the bike from FP4.

“In Q2 I tried my best, but we are happy with 12th position. From Friday we have been working towards the race pace and it’s going to be tough. Tyre management will be very important as it will be hot, but we are ready to fight for the best result possible.”

More, from a press release issued by Alma Pramac Racing:

 Gran Premi de Catalunya – Qualifying

#CatalanGP Quali. Petrux is very “Independent” at Parc Ferme. Jack will start from 4th row.

Danilo Petrucci is back again to the Parc Fermé taking a precious second row in the qualifying for the Gran Premi de Catalunya. Jack Miller fights in Q1 but can’t access Q2. It was a good Saturday for Alma Pramac Racing at the Montmelò circuit.

Petrux improved session after session and in the Fp3 he easily qualified for Q2. The FP4 race pace is encouraging and in Q2 he pushes to the maximum, achieving a very positive P6 that is also worth the “First Independent” award.

Jack also managed to lap stronger than on Friday but didn’t find the ideal conditions to qualify directly for Q2 after an FP3 finished with 14 riders in 7 tenths of a second. The first run of the Q1 is incisive (second fastest lap-time behind Marquez) but in the second run Nakagami manages to do better. The Australian rider will start tomorrow from P13.

P6 Danilo Petrucci – 1’39.178

“We’ve done a good job today. I am very pleased with this second row. I think that is a good result and it would have been difficult to do better. We still have some problems with the rear tyre consumption and the high temperature does not help us. But I think that tomorrow we can fight for the Top 5”.

P13 Jack Miller – 1’39.732

“We’re struggling a bit this weekend. We still have to find the right set up because I don’t have a great feeling and I can’t get the tyres working at their best. This may happen, but we must not lose confidence. Tomorrow will be a difficult race but we are ready to fight”.

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:

CRUTCHLOW TO START FROM 10TH SPOT ON THE GRID IN CATALUNYA

LCR Honda CASTROL rider Cal Crutchlow was left disppointed after a late fall forced him to settle for a fourth row start in tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Catalunya. As on Friday, the Briton was on the pace throughout at the resurfaced Barcelona circuit and had looked poised to secure a place on the second row for Sunday’s race in which he will carry Castrol Power1 as his title sponsor.

However, having already underlined his speed by finishing third in FP3, Crutchlow endured late disappointment in Saturday’s Q2 session. Going well on his final qualifying lap, the 32-year-old suffered a fast crash at turn 13 and, although he was able to walk away unharmed, it left him down in tenth spot on the timesheets.

Cal Crutchlow – 10th

(1’39.556 – lap 3 of 6)

“Today was tough day, tough qualifying, and we’re disappointed with the outcome. But the LCR Honda CASTROL team have done a good job and I feel confident with my pace, it’s just a shame I crashed in the qualifying. But this is the situation, we have to deal with it and take the positives from today. I still think we can make a good result tomorrow, but we have to concentrate on making a good start to get away with the leaders.”

More, from a press release issued by Angel Nieto Team:

COMAPA ÁNGEL NIETO TEAM READY FOR MONTMELÓ FIGHTBACK

Karel Abraham and Álvaro Bautista to start Grand Prix of Catalunya from seventh and eighth rows

Jorge Lorenzo carried his good form from Mugello to Barcelona to take his first pole position since Valencia 2016 and his first for Ducati. The Italian factory’s joy was completed by Andrea Dovizioso, who will line up on the front row in third place behind Marc Márquez, who just 0.066 seconds behind his future team-mate.

Karel Abraham made improvements to his bike from yesterday as he qualified in 21st position, Comapa Ángel Nieto Team’s Czech rider now setting his sights on a charge to the points in tomorrow’s race. His team-mate Álvaro Bautista will start from just behind him in 22nd after losing his final qualifying lap to a crash, and like Abraham he is now focused on making up positions after setting a decent pace in race trim.

21st Karel Abraham 1:40.449: “21st place is not a spectacular result but we have made a big improvement from yesterday. I set my best time on my penultimate lap even though somebody ran into the back of me in turn four. Anyway, we have our strategy for tomorrow, which we think will work, and we will do our best tomorrow so score points.”

22nd Álvaro Bautista 1:40.524: “Today we tried to improve the feeling from yesterday. This morning we worked with used tyres and improve the lap time, thinking about race set-up. I was feeling quite confident but had a little crash and it upset my rhythm. In FP4 we tried a set-up that I didn’t like and we went back to the old one. In qualifying I had another crash and couldn’t put a good lap together. Starting from the back makes it more difficult but tomorrow will be a race of attrition. I think my pace is good so we will try to look after the tyres and hopefully make it to the end.”

More, from a press release issued by Movistar Yamaha:

MOVISTAR YAMAHA TAKE 4TH AND 7TH IN MONTMELÓ TIME ATTACK

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi finished today’s close qualifying session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a place on the second and third row of tomorrow’s starting grid.

Montmeló (Spain), 16th June 2018

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi will start the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya from the second and third row tomorrow, having secured fourth and seventh place respectively in today’s Q2 session.

Viñales waited for a while to leave pit lane, eager to find some clear space on track. When he found it he put it to good use, setting a 1’39.835s for second place on his very first hot lap. He improved his time on his next try, but not his placement, and was in fifth when he headed into the pits with seven minutes remaining.

A little more than a minute later he went back to business. He moved up to third position on his next attempt, with a 1’39.145s, but was pushed down to fourth as the pace quickened in the final stages. Knowing that every tenth of a second matters in MotoGP, he kept pushing hard but remained in fourth place, 0.465s from pole.

Rossi was quick to head out on track for the 15-minute shoot-out. He needed a little time to find riding space in the traffic on track but managed to find a gap. On his second flying lap he produced a 1’39.278s for provisional second place, before heading back to the box.

He had a 0.392s gap to first to close, and with nearly six minutes of the session left on the clock he was hankering to get to work. The Doctor was on a hot lap soon, but had to abort his mission as he was being followed by a rival. He improved his time to a 1‘39.266s on his next try, but didn‘t better his ranking. He was in seventh position and only had time for one more go. Pushing hard, he rode a personal best in sector one, but a wobble made it impossible for him to set a faster lap time. He ended the day in seventh place, 0.586s from first.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

Maverick had good runs in all of today’s sessions, in race configuration. Today‘s qualifying results put him on the second row and starting the race from fourth place is not bad. Vale ran into some complications during qualifying. He had a big moment, which cost him the second row. Starting from the third row can make the opening laps more difficult. We expect an unusual race, because the riders have to find a way to manage the tyre degradation. The warm up will be a crucial preparation, despite the difference in track conditions, to try some final set-up changes and make the final tyre decision for the race.

MAVERICK VIÑALES

For sure I expected a little bit more in the qualifying, but I’m actually happy about our work in FP4. I was working in race set-up and we were pretty close to the top. I think tomorrow we’ll have to make a good start from the beginning. In the qualifying it was a little bit tricky with the front tyre, it was sliding a lot, and I couldn’t make my best lap. Anyway, I’m happy, overall, and let’s see tomorrow. We have to go with the best tyre and push.

VALENTINO ROSSI

I’m not so happy, because I had the potential to start from the second row. That was my target, to be there together with Maverick and Iannone. I did a good lap, I had a fresh tyre and I was a little bit faster than my earlier lap time, but unfortunately I made a mistake at turn 10, I braked too deep, not because of Marquez, but because I pushed too hard and unfortunately I couldn’t stop. So after that I tried another lap and I was able to improve a little bit, but not enough for the second row. It’s a shame, because our target was realistically our potential. We will see tomorrow, because it will be a hard race for everybody. Everyone will suffer with the front tyre, so it will be difficult, but I hope it will be difficult for everybody.

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:

SECOND ROW START IN CATALUNYA FOR ANDREA IANNONE

Andrea Iannone: 5th – 1:39.148 (+ 0.468)

Alex Rins: 15th – 1:39.918 (+ 0.701)

Sylvain Guintoli: 25th – 1:40.834 (+ 1.617)

• Iannone takes 5th on the grid with good pace.

•Rins struggling in final corners.

•Guintoli collecting data and enjoying the GSX-RR.

The second day of action on the newly resurfaced and redesigned Montmelo Circuit saw temperatures climbing and lap times dropping.

For the majority of the morning’s FP3 session, Friday’s times stood. With less than 10 minutes left on the clock a few riders were able to improve, but it was difficult for those due to be in Q1 to make up the difference and elevate themselves directly into Q2. Alex Rins improved his time by four tenths with moments left in the session, but missed out on the Top 10. Andrea Iannone, already safely into Q2 due to his strong performance on Friday, used the session to try some different settings.

FP4 was hot and hectic ahead of qualifying, but Andrea Iannone was able to impress during the session, topping the time sheet with a 1:39.708 and holding the position until the chequered flag.

Alex Rins, forced to try to fight through from Q1, found some struggles at his home circuit. Although he went 3rd at one point, he was unfortunately unable to progress through to Q2, he will take 15th slot on the grid tomorrow. Sylvain Guintoli, appearing for the first time this season as a Wild Card, will start 25th.

The track temperatures soared to 38c for Q2 and the 15-minute session saw plenty of action. Andrea Iannone stuck with his favoured soft-soft combination and tried to reach the front row, he crossed the line just 0.468 seconds from the top and took 5th spot on the grid for tomorrow’s 24 lap race.

Davide Brivio – Team Manager

“It’s been a good day for Andrea, we worked well. This morning he had good pace and we managed to qualify on the second row, in fifth position – which is a good starting position for the race. So I think we can try to be in the top group, and we’ll see tomorrow about the temperatures and tyre choice. Of course, the races are very unpredictable but I think he’ll be able to make a good result. Alex is still struggling, today we had hoped to improve more. He’ll start 15th, but we’ll see what we can try to improve tomorrow and he will try to make a good start like he did in Mugello. Sylvain is doing a good job, he’s enjoying it and giving good information to us.”

Andrea Iannone

“We had similar problems today as yesterday, we tried to improve but we didn’t feel any difference and this is a shame because we’ve used the same bike from FP1 and we’ve tried a few things but I don’t really feel any different. For the race I need to improve by two or three tenths to try to fight for the podium, and at the moment I can’t find that extra time, but in any case, we’ll try our best and continue to work to find a plan for tomorrow.”

Alex Rins

“It’s been a difficult weekend for me, definitely not easy in the heat with the fast corners and we’re missing out a bit there like we did in the test. So we’re working on that, but we still need to find a bit more for the race. The difference between Andrea and me is in the last two corners, the fast ones, so I need to find more. The tyre allocation is a bit difficult also, but I look forward to the race tomorrow.”

Sylvain Guintoli

“Today we went a bit faster with the soft tyre, and we’re getting quicker. It was good to ride in the hot conditions this afternoon and we did a sort of race simulation with the tyres and a full tank of fuel, that was interesting to do. It’s great to be back racing, but the pace is completely different to the testing pace. I’m really happy to be here and feel the adrenaline, and at the same time try to collect data and try new things. It’s great to race in terms of collecting data, and personally it’s great fun too. I hope tomorrow I can have a consistent pace and bring back some useful info.”

More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:

Front row start for Marc Marquez in Catalunya, Dani Pedrosa qualifies 11th

Today, Marc Marquez provided his fans with great excitement (and possibly a few scares) during qualifying day for his home GP.

In the morning, the young Spaniard lost the front while on a flying lap in the FP3 session, finishing in 11th place and missing out on a direct passage to Q2. Later in FP4, he performed one of his incredible saves in turn 14 before ending the session in third place.

After easily sorting out the Q1 session by setting the fastest lap, he succumbed only to pole-setter Jorge Lorenzo in Q2 by a mere 0.066”, finishing in second place and earning an important front row start for tomorrow’s 2 p.m. Catalan Grand Prix.

Dani Pedrosa set the ninth fastest time in FP3, less than three tenths from the top, but was unable to be as quick as he was hoping in qualifying and had to settle for the 11th place.

Marc Marquez 93

2ND 1’38.746

“It was a great qualifying session. It’s important to be on the front row because both Jorge and Dovi are very fast here. Still, we were able to get quite close to them, and I’m very happy about that because our day had been a bit complicated before that: I crashed while I was pushing for a fast lap this morning and had to go through Q1. Anyway, I was still confident in myself as I knew we were capable of being very fast. Then, in FP4, I had that big save in the last downhill corner! I hit a bump and started to lose the front. I tried to save it with my knee, with my elbow—with my whole body!—while thinking of my mechanics, who had told me, ‘Please don’t crash, as we need two bikes for QP1 and QP2!’ I think it was one of the best of my career, definitely good for the fans. Still, I think I’ll try and not repeat it tomorrow!”

Dani Pedrosa 26

11TH 1’39.695

“Lap times were very tight today, and unfortunately I couldn’t do a really fast one. I wasn’t totally confident, especially mid-corner, and I wasn’t able to push like I wanted. It’s really a shame to have to start so far back on the grid, as that clearly changes the strategy for the race. Anyway, we have to keep our concentration, make the right tyre choice, and try to get a good start.”

More, from a press release issued by Reale Avintia Racing:

Tito Rabat shines in qualifying for his home Grand Prix of Catalunya

Reale Avintia Racing – GP of Catalunya– Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Tito Rabat shone at his home Grand Prix today, clocking the eighth fastest lap in qualifying in front of his Spanish fans.

This weekend has been one of the best ever for the Catalonian rider this season so far. He moved straight up to Q2 with a lap time of 1’39.256 in the third free practice session. In qualifying, he battled his way into the Top Ten even though he didn’t find the best feeling with the front of his Ducati. With a best lap time of 1’39.504 minutes, he will now start the race from the third row of the grid. He is ready to race at 100% and he is determined to push hard and to ride the best possible race at his home GP.

It was an unlucky day for Xavier Simeon. After making a step forward and improving his pace in free practice, he did the last exit in FP4 with the hardest front tyre and he crashed in the final minutes. When he crashed again in Q1, his crew repaired the bike in record time and Simeon went out again, improving his lap time. But unfortunately, he exceeded the track limits on his hottest lap and his lap time was cancelled. On Sunday, Simeon is determined to recover and to show his real potential in the race.

Tito Rabat | 1’39.504 | P9

“Today has been a positive day, because we did a good practice and this morning we went straight in Q2. In FP4 we also had a great pace and I’m confident for the race. But in Q2 I struggled in the braking areas. Nevertheless, we are ready to race, we just have to wait and see what the weather will be like and if it’s cooler or warmer than today, because this will be crucial for our tyre choice. Needless to say, we will give our best in the race tomorrow. If I have a good start, I’ll be able to fight for a strong result.”

Xavier Simeon | 1’41.369 | P26

“Qualifying was really difficult for us today. I was very happy with the bike and in FP3 I was 1.3s from the fastest rider, which is the closest we have ever been this season. But in FP4 I tried the hardest front tyre and I crashed in turn 2. In Q1 I crashed again and thanks to the quick work of my mechanics I was able to take to the track again. It was a strange session, because honestly we expected to qualify better. Tomorrow I’ll try to recover, because I think my pace is better than my position on the grid.”

More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Front row start for both Ducati Team riders at Montmeló. Jorge Lorenzo takes his first pole position for Ducati and Andrea Dovizioso finishes Catalan GP qualifying in third place

The two factory Ducati Team riders scored a splendid front row start for the Catalan GP, round 7 of the MotoGP World Championship which gets underway at 1400 CET tomorrow at the Montmeló circuit. Jorge Lorenzo powered to his first pole position on a Ducati, chalking up an incredible record of 14 front-row starts in 14 successive races held at the Catalan circuit. The Mallorca-born rider this morning was 12th quickest in FP3 but, thanks to second place overall in the combined standings with the time he set yesterday, he went through directly into the afternoon’s Q2 session.

Third place in qualifying went to Andrea Dovizioso, who this morning topped the timesheets in FP3. The Italian rider, who will start from the front row together with his team-mate and Marc Marquez, went out on track with the ‘prancing horse’ stem of Francesco Baracca on the front and rear fairing of his Desmosedici GP. This is in memory of the Italian First World War flying ace, who hailed from the same region as Dovizioso (Baracca was born in Lugo di Romagna, also like famed Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni) and who was killed in action exactly 100 years ago.

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99): 1st (1’38.680)

“I’m very satisfied because today was a fantastic day! We have been competitive in every session and I feel entirely at ease on the bike. My first pole position with Ducati is a really special one and it gives me a special satisfaction because I’ve done it at the Catalan GP. After the good sensations at Mugello, coming here and progressing in the same way means that we are working very well. In my first exit I tried to set a time but for some reason I didn’t have the same grip with the rear tyre. I kept calm and on my second run I pushed to the max. It wasn’t easy because Marquez was also lapping really strongly, but in the end we did it. The race will be difficult, but we are amongst the favourites and it’ll be vitally important to keep concentration for the 24 laps.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04): 3rd (1’38.923)

“Today’s qualifying went very well and I’m very happy with a front-row position. It was important to start from the first two rows here at Montmeló because tomorrow in the race we will have to try and manage the tyres well. Jorge has been very quick since yesterday, but we’ve been able to improve after every session: this was very important and we did it. I came to qualifying with a good feeling and even though I made a small mistake at Turn 10, in the end I was able to set a very good lap time. I’m very satisfied because we’ve worked well this weekend and even though we know that it will be difficult to manage the tyres for the entire race, all the riders will have the same problem, and we’re sure we can play our cards.”

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Lorenzo pulls the trigger for first Ducati pole

The Spaniard grabs pole in Barcelona to fend off Marquez by just 0.066 in a frantic qualifying session

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) secured his first pole position since Valencia 2016 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in a spectacular Q2 session, on top in red for the first time. But Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) is within a whisker in second despite an incident-packed Saturday for the number 93 – and another spectacular save – with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) grabbing his first front row start of the season in third.

Under blistering Barcelona skies, it was a battle of the Spaniards for pole position on home soil. Lorenzo was the first man to set a time, before Marquez crossed the line to set the fastest lap of the weekend – a magnificent 1:38.886, with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) firing in a 1:39.392 to put himself between the two after the first run.

Lorenzo then blasted out the box to launch himself to the top of the timesheets, with just 0.066s the difference between him and future teammate Marquez. The number 93 was right on the pace of his compatriot, however, before finding some traffic at Turn 13 – left unable to deny Lorenzo his first Ducati pole and his tenth front row start in a row at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Dovizioso, meanwhile, threatened to take pole on his final run and the Italian was up in the first half of the lap before losing time in Sector 3. Nonetheless, the number 04 launches from P3 and looks confident ahead of Sunday – as do the two men ahead of him.

Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will start fourth and top Yamaha at his home Grand Prix, a huge improvement from his P9 start this time last year – and there were good positives for the number 25 looking towards Sunday. FP4’s quickest man Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was just 0.003 behind Viñales, and the Italian starts from the second row for a third consecutive race as he puts himself in a strong position to once again challenge for a podium. Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was able to get himself onto the outside of row two, a good session for the Ducati rider, who starts P6 and top Independent Team rider.

Rossi, who was second after the first runs, made a mistake on his first attempt on the second row, and was able to improve but was left unsatisfied with his position. ‘The Doctor’ will start seventh but thinks he has better pace on race day. The number 46 is just ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), who took P8 after a difficult weekend. Rounding out the third row was Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) after he was able to earn an automatic Q2 spot, the Spaniard securing his best dry qualifying result of the season in P9.

Behind Rabat on the grid is Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), who had a difficult end to the session as he crashed at the newly modified Turn 13 while on a personal best lap – the British rider will start tenth. Dani Pedrosa’s (Repsol Honda Team) quiet weekend continued in qualifying, the Spaniard will line up in 11th for his home race, with Q1 graduate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) having a fantastic afternoon in Barcelona, setting a lap time less than two tenths slower than Pedrosa to start a personal best P12 and as top rookie. Nakagami also moved through to Q2 for the first time.

So, is it Lorenzo vs Marquez for the victory on home soil? The hammer has been well and truly slammed down by the number 99, but the shockwaves didn’t seem to faze the number 93 on Saturday. Will Lorenzo’s race pace prove too much come Sunday afternoon? Or can Marquez bounce back in style once again?

Watch it all unfold as the lights go out for the Catalan GP at 14:00 local time (GMT +2).

Will Catalunya be Lorenzo’s Land again on Sunday?

Quartararo takes maiden Moto2™ pole

The Frenchman beats Marquez and Schrötter to grab maiden intermediate class pole position

Fabio Quartararo (HRD – Speed Up Racing) will start tomorrow’s Moto2™ Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya race from pole position, setting a blistering 1:43.474 to beat 2017 race winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) to secure his first ever intermediate class pole.

It was Schrötter who was the man to beat for the majority of the session, jumping to the top of the timesheets from the off, setting a benchmark of 1:43.619 – the fastest lap of the weekend. The German’s time wouldn’t be beaten until home rider Marquez, on his 14th flying lap, went 0.029 quicker.

Quartararo, who has been up the sharp end throughout the weekend, then stepped up to the mark. The Speed Up rider was looking comfortable in P3, until the 19-year-old increased the pace with just three minutes remaining – a 1:43.474 topping Marquez by over a tenth, with no one having an answer before the checkered flag was waved.

After leading FP3 by over three tenths of a second, Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) had to settle for fourth quickest in qualifying. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was the leading KTM rider, he picked up his equal best qualifying finish of the season in fifth after spending much of the session battling for a top six place. The South African is in an Italian sandwich in the middle of row two, with Italtrans Racing Team rider Mattia Pasini in sixth – 0.038 back from Binder. Meanwhile Binder’s teammate, Championship challenger Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo), was down in P17. The Portuguese rider will take heart from the Italian GP, however – coming from P11 to take the win.

Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) spearheads the third row of the grid, the Barcelona resident was looking good for a solid top six start until a crash at T1 put an end to his front row aspirations – he’ll start P7. The leading rookie was once again Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), the reigning Moto3™ World Champion has been in and around the top ten all weekend and will start from eighth on Sunday. Rounding out the third row is Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors), propelling himself into P9 in the final ten minutes to finish 0.012 ahead of Championship protagonist Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40), who recovered from an early crash to start tenth.

Can Quartararo earn his first ever Grand Prix victory when he launches from pole, or will Marquez reign supreme for the second year running at the Catalan GP? Find out when the Moto2™ class go racing at 12:20 local time (GMT +2).

The ‘Beast’ Bastianini blasts to Moto3™ pole in Barcelona

The Italian grabs his first pole since Aragon 2016 ahead of Martin and Suzuki

Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) will start tomorrow’s Moto3™ race at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya from pole position as he took top spot in qualifying for the first time since Aragon 2016. Despite a second crash of the weekend, Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) starts second, with Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) on the outside of the front row in third.

‘The Beast’ was the rider to beat throughout the session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, setting a 1:48.806 – the quickest lap of the weekend – just ten minutes into the session to set a benchmark that wouldn’t be beaten.

It was a tricky start for the Del Conca Gresini’s of Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio, with the latter crashing at Turn 4 without having set a time. Then, Martin was in the gravel, taking down Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team Moto3) at Turn 10 with just over ten minutes gone – the bike unable to restart.

Nonetheless, Championship protagonist went back out with 15 minutes remaining and aggressively leaped to P2 on his second flying lap, 0.107 off Bastianini. Behind the Spaniard was Suzuki, who had another terrific qualifying session to earn his second consecutive front row start.

Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was up the sharp end throughout the session, the Japanese rider will start one position behind compatriot Suzuki in fourth. On home soil, Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) managed to earn a P5 start, with Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) making it three Japanese riders in the top six, launching from the outside of row two in sixth after recovering from a crash midway through qualifying.

John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) spearheads the third row of the grid in seventh, a good qualifying session for the Scot, with Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider) finishing the session in eighth despite a late crash at Turn 5. Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PrustelGP) will have work to do from P9 on the grid, the Italian was in and around the top ten throughout the session on board his KTM.

Championship contender Di Giannantonio managed to salvage P13 on his final run, having set his first flying lap with just ten minutes of the session remaining. Can he work his way forward and fight for the podium?

It’s Bastianini on pole for the Catalan GP, who will take the fight to the Italian in Sunday’s race? Will this kick his Championship challenge into another gear? Lights go out for the lightweight class at 11:00 local time (GMT +2).