Bagnaia takes pole in raging qualifying battle with Marquez

MotoGP™ qualifying at the Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley had it all as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) smashed the lap record with a scintillating 1:44.855, fuelled by the rage of Marc Marquez' (Repsol Honda Team) perceived qualifying tactics. Marquez rode on the rear-wheel of the Italian during his flying lap, muscling his Honda to P2 just 0.078s shy of the Italian. Joining his brother on the front row will be Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) who fought his way through Q1 to snatch 3rd place on the grid.

There can only be 2…

The battle for Q2 promotion was well and truly underway as the green light shone on Q1, with a handful of big hitters all with their sights set on the top 2 spots. Alex Marquez drew first blood in the first exchange of time attacks, setting a time a whisker away from the all-time lap record. Red sectors came flying in from every direction as the first run began to heat up, and it was Franco Moribelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) who slotted himself behind Marquez into the 2nd Q2 spot.

Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) were just behind and had their sights firmly set on the two at the top, as the riders returned to the pits for a tyre change before their 2nd stint, and another bite at the proverbial cherry.

Viñales was the first to make improvements during the 2nd run as the Aprilia man put in a 1:45.5 to bump Morbidelli out of the 2nd Q2 spot, joining Alex Marquez in the top 2. It didn’t last long however as Jack Miller put in a solid run to just pip Maverick for that 2nd place spot.

Alex Marquez' spot was safe at the top but it didn't stop the Gresini man from pushing on, as the #73 put in another stunner to stretch his lead to 0.328s and consolidate his Q2 promotion with Jack Miller joining him in the top 2.

A Champions' rivalry brewing?

Tensions were high ahead of the all-important Q2 session that would decide the grid at the iconic Mugello circuit. All eyes were on home-hero Francesco Bagnaia as he went into the session as the man to beat. Was there going to be a fly in the ointment at the Italian GP?

Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) came into the session with fire in his belly as the Italian set the benchmark early on with a 1:45.372, with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) and Jack Miller slotting in behind him. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) had something in the tank however and snatched the top spot just before the riders flooded back to the pits.

Bagnaia ignored the conventional wait in the pits and to ensure no one could tag onto the back of him went straight back out on the circuit to find a free track, and the perfect opportunity for a flying lap. This tactic didn't work however as the master tactician Marc Marquez timed his pit out perfectly to join Bagnaia on track.

Bagnaia threw some hand gestures as he was determined not to allow Marquez to use him as a tow. Marquez did what he does best however and latched himself right onto the back of the Champion as he the Ducati man started his flying lap. Bagnaia began to put down a scintillating pace with that #93 Repsol Honda glued to his rear wheel. Bagnaia crossed the line to set a stunning new all-time lap record. Marquez managed to cling onto a bucking Repsol Honda to slot himself into P2 just 0.078s away from the Ducati top dog.

Alex Marquez put in red sectors in the closing stages and was looking hot to snatch pole, but an untouchable final sector from Pecco made it too difficult for the Gresini man as the Spaniard crossed the line to take 3rd spot on the grid. 

The charging pack

Leading the chasing pack on the 2nd row is Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) who had a cancelled lap reinstated after the session. The Italian will be joined by the Aussie Jack Miller who battled through Q2 to take P5, as well as the pole hound Jorge Martin who could only manage P6 this time out.

Marco Bezzecchi will line up on the front of the 3rd row, and with just one point between him and the championship lead, the Italian will be focussed on flying through the pack at his home GP.

Whilst the focus was on the Bagnaia vs Marquez drama, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was setting red sectors to slot himself into P3 midway through, but after the hot laps came flying in the Spaniard was demoted to P8. The Aprilia man will be joined Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) on the 3rd row with Alex Rins (LCR Honda CASTROL) rounding out the top 10 on row 4.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a quiet session by his standards, rounding out the top 11. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out at the beginning of his first qualifying session upon his return, the Italian did manage to remount but was the slowest of the top 12 and will start the Grand Prix and Tissot Sprint from the outside of row 4.

Top 10:

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1:44.855
2. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) +0.078
3. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) +0.152
4. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) + 0.224
5. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.331
6. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.413
7. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) +0.435
8. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) +0.525
9. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.772
10. Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) +0.847

FULL RESULTS