Many could have predicted that World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) would have been on the front row for the Monster Energy Czech Republic Grand Prix. However, as good as he is, we’re not sure a lot of people will have expected Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) to have claimed his first pole position since the 2018 French GP.
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FREE: REJUVENATED ZARCO SAYS HE SURPRISED HIMSELF WITH BRNO POLE
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FREE: HOW DOES QUARTARARO FEEL AFTER MISSING FIFTH STRAIGHT POLE?
The Frenchman had looked strong during Free Practice and managed to bag himself an automatic Q2 place, finishing second in FP3 behind Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT). The signs were there for Zarco, and sure enough on his final flying lap in Q2, he delivered.
It’s the very first pole position for the team in MotoGP™ and with Quartararo second, it’s France’s very first 1-2 in the premier class. That’s now five qualifying sessions in a row that we’ve seen a French rider start on pole, but will we hear La Marseillaise at around 15:00 local time in the Czech Republic on Sunday?
You can watch Zarco and Quartararo’s interviews for free to see how they’re feeling ahead of a race that is set-up to be as unpredictable as qualifying, with tyre wear a big worry.