Notes and photos from Saturday’s MotoGP practice and qualifying sessions at Circuit De La Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo
By Micheal Gougis
Sun in the afternoon meant some heat in the circuit for qualifying at the final round of the MotoGP World Championship in Valencia. Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez tipped over in Turn Four, losing the right side of the front tire, but was quickly up and back out before the session was over.
Alex Rins and Pol Espargaro topped Qualifying One, while Fabio Quartararo once again took pole position, ahead of Marquez and Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller. Monster Energy Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, winner last time out in Sepang, was fourth, ahead of Quartararo’s Petronas Yamaha SRT teammate Franco Morbidelli and factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso.
(Above) Jorge Lorenzo (99) was elbows-down in his last MotoGP qualifying session; he qualified 16th. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Above) Marc Marquez crashed in Free Practice Four, hopped a scooter to get back to the pits, and finished the session on his spare bike. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Above) Marc Marquez bounced back from his crash in practice to put his Repsol Honda on the front row of the grid. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Above) With the MotoGP and the Moto2 World Championships safely in the family vault, Valencia was a celebration of the Marquez brothers’ achievements. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Jack Miller (43) filled out the front row of the grid on his Pramac Ducati. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Team owner and former racer Sito Pons’ 250cc Grand Prix championship-winning Honda NSR250 served as a decoration for the Pons Racing hospitality set-up. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Above) Fabio Quartararo (20) led most of the practice sessions and converted that pace to his sixth pole of the year. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Above) Despite two crashes on Friday, Valentino Rossi still managed to get into the final qualifying shootout, where he ended up in 12th place after being held up on his quickest lap.
