The Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro could be forgiven for thinking he was through to the second segment of MotoGP™ qualifying when Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) could only go third-fastest on his final lap of Q1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España. Enter Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco.
The Frenchman clocked a 1:37.003 well after the chequered flag to take over top spot, relegating Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) to second position. While the Italian was still fast enough to get into Q2, Zarco’s effort meant that Espargaro finished just 0.003 seconds outside of the top two, and he will line up 13th on the grid for Sunday’s race at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto.
Leaving it as late as possible! ????@JohannZarco1 barges @polespargaro OUT of his Q2 place! ????#SpanishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/aU9JPwXR8j
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 30, 2022
Joining the factory Honda rider on Row 5 will be Rins and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), while Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) qualified 16th overall.
The factory Yamaha team still has one hope for pole position: Fabio Quartararo. Tune in now to find out if he can do it.