MotoGP Sachsenring Qualifying: Zarco takes pole, front row for Aprilia

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021 EMR Writer

Johann Zarco storms to his second ever Ducati pole as Aprilia get a front row.

Johann Zarco takes inspiration from Charles Leclerc taking pole position before crashing a few laps later, must be a contractual agreement to do this if you ride/drive a red Italian machine. It was a crazy session with many riders going a bit crazy at one another for going slow on the racing line, we saw Petrucci fire a middle finger at Bastianini and many riders including Bagnaia, A Marquez, Quartararo, A Espargaro, Miller and many many more letting their emotions get the better of them. Many laps were ruined due to crashes and slow riders, expect some penalties to come out for riders going slow on the racing line.

Johann Zarco is eyeing up his first-ever MotoGP victory at the track he won at in 2016, a backflip would be very nice it’s not like we’ve been waiting 5 years for it or anything. It was also another French 1-2 with Quartararao finishing just 0.011 seconds back in P2, the French boys are also occupying the top 2 in the MotoGP championship and are on fire, France are having an amazing year and weekend with Moto3 rider Fellon qualifying in an impressive P6 position.

Aleix Espargaro takes the first Aprilia front row since Jeremy McWilliams nearly 20 years ago, a testament to the incredible work the factory has done these last few years, we are desperate to see Aprilia take a first-ever podium since their return, Espargaro would deserve this for the work and years he’s sacrificed for the project.

Leading row two is Jack Miller who made an attempt at taking pole position on his final lap before saving a crash at the last corner, this isn’t a Ducati track by any means due to the lack of straights compared to tracks such as Mugello and Catalunya yet Zarco and Miller are proving that their bike is still incredibly consistent here. Another little stat for you is that a Ducati leads every row in qualifying with Zarco leading row 1, Miller row 2, Martin row 3 and Bagnaia row 4, it’s going to be interesting heading into turn one come race day knowing their start devices capabilities.

Joining Miller on row two is Marc Marquez who has now lost his pole record at the track and Miguel Oliveira who is working his magic on the KTM, doing things it shouldn’t be doing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was penalised though as he was spotted riding at incredibly slow speeds during the session very nearly stopping.

As previously mentioned Jorge Martin led row three joined by a Honda duo of Pol Espargaro who is using tin foil on his boot as the engine heat is causing his foot to be cooked and Takaaki Nakagami who suffered a late crash stopping riders from improving their times.

Brad Binder was not a happy man and leads row 5 after failing to get out of Q1 with Valentino Rossi, Joan Mir, Franco Morbidelli and even Maverick Vinales struggling massively, Vinales qualifying in P21!

Q2 Results –