Bagnaia smashes lap record for Pole at MotoGP Emilia Romagna

Francesco Bagnaia will start from pole position for the Emilia Romagna GP this weekend after setting a blistering lap time of a 1:30.031

Bagnaia ensures that he starts ahead of championship rival Jorge Martin for the Sprint Race and Grand Prix, Martin just behind the Italian by a couple of tenths.

In Q1, Brad Binder would stamp his authority over the rest of the field, setting a 1:31.070 and ensuring that the South African would secure his place in Q2. Binder would be followed by Miguel Oliveira who was under one tenth behind, the pair both going through to Q2.

However, with many others attempting to make an appearance in Q2, Alex Marquez and Augusto Fernandez would both crash at Turns 1 and 3, both of them missing out on a Q2 appearance. Fabio Di Giannantonio would also miss out, the VR46 rider only managing third in Q1 as the Italian will start 13th overall for this weekend.

In Q2, Jorge Martin would set the early pace, a few tenths ahead of Bagnaia and the rest of the field. Marc Marquez would crash at Turn 3 with around 10 minutes remaining in the session, the Spaniard will start from seventh place after a relatively disappointing Qualifying session.

Further behind in the time sheets, Enea Bastianini would put his Factory Ducati Desmosedici GP24 in third place, despite being over half a second behind his teammate. The second row of the grid would see Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta put their KTM’s into fourth and fifth, with Marco Bezzecchi continuing his strong performance at Misano, lining up in sixth aboard the VR46 Ducati.

Maverick Vinales lines up in eighth as the Top Aprilia rider, ahead of his teammate Aleix Espargaro who will start from 11th. Fabio Quartararo starts from ninth place after an incredibly strong performance. Had the Frenchman gone even just one tenth quicker, it could have been a second row start.

MotoGP Emilia Romagna GP – Qualifying Results

1st Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati
2nd Jorge Martin, Prima Pramac
3rd Enea Bastianini, Ducati
4th Brad Binder, Red Bull Factory KTM
5th Pedro Acosta, Red Bull GasGas KTM
6th Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing
7th Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
8th Maverick Vinales, Aprilia
9th Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha
10th Franco Morbidelli, Prima Pramac
11th Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia
12th Miguel Oliveira, Trackhouse Racing
13th Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing
14th Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing
15th Luca Marini, Repsol Honda
16th Joan Mir, Repsol Honda
17th Johann Zarco, LCR Honda
18th Augusto Fernandez, Red Bull GasGas KTM
19th Jack Miller, Red Bull Factory KTM
20th Takaaki Nakagami, LCR Honda
21st Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
22nd Alex Rins, Yamaha

MotoGP returns this afternoon at 14:00 UK time for the Emilia Romagna Sprint Race.

Featured Image: Ducati Corse Media