Bagnaia grabs pole by 0.037s as Sprint blockbuster awaits

The MotoGP™ grid are ready to race in Austria after an intense qualifying session sets the stage for what promises to be some incredible racing action at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) sent a message to his Championship rivals with an incredible qualifying performance. The Italian put in a 1:28.539 to deny the man on-form Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) pole position. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has his sights firmly set on a Grand Prix victory, as he's set to start KTM's home GP from the outside of the front row.  

KTMs determined on home turf 

Q1 got underway at the Red Bull Ring with some big hitters ready to battle it out for the top two spots and a chance at pole position in Q2. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) were the favourites as the green flag dropped.  

No one had shown Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) the script as the Spaniard decided it was time to bite the screen and show he means business upon his return. The GASGAS rider topped the session early on and was sat in P2 behind Jack Miller as the riders returned to the pits for a change of rubber.  

The riders hit the track once again as the battle for the two Q2 places was only just getting started. Just as it was proving difficult to topple the KTMs at the top of the session, Luca Marini put in an absolute flyer to take the top spot and bump Espargaro out of the top two. 

Jack Miller quickly responded as the Aussie moved the goalposts once again to pip the Italian to the top spot by 0.289s. No one could get the better of the two at the top and it was Miller and Marini who went through.  

The cream rises to the top in Q2

Pitlane opened for Q2 and it was time for the big hitters to hit the circuit to decide the grid for the Austrian Grand Prix racing action. As the sound of MotoGP™ roared through the Styrian hills, it was Maverick Viñales who led the charge after the first run of laps, setting the first 1:28 lap of the session with his teammate Aleix Espargaro in the gravel trap. Bagnaia and Quartararo joined the Spaniard in the top three as the bikes rolled back into the pitlane.  

Fresh rubber went in and it was crunch time in MotoGP™ qualifying at the Red Bull Ring. Viñales meant business as he slotted himself behind the pole-hound Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). Martin was first to move the goalposts with Viñales following and retaking the top spot. 

The KTMs put themselves well into the mix as the clockled ticked down before Francesco Bagnaia put in a Champions' lap as he stamped his authority, and showed the grid exactly why he has the number 1 plate on his factory Ducati machine.  

Viñales remained untouched in P2 with the KTMs late-charge consolidating Brad Binder an important front row at KTM's home circuit. The South African's teammate Jack Miller was bumped down to P4 after Bagnaia's stellar lap. The boys in orange will be sure to put themselves in victory contention and make full use of their lightning starts.  

The charging pack  

Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was looking strong, he's set to join Miller on row two in P5. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) will start from the edge of the second row with his teammate Marco Bezzecchi starting in P7, despite setting the all-time lap record during Friday's practice action.  

Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team ) is beginning to get very comfortable on his Aprilia machine as he bagged P8 in Austria. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) will line up alongside the Portuguese rider in 9th spot in what is looking to be a positive weekend for the Frenchman.  

Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) rounded out the top 10 in Q2 ahead of Aleix Espargaro who was riding his number two bike after crashing out during the first stint.  

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) struggled to improve as the pace heated up, with his best time lap time cancelled due to exceeding track limits. The Spaniard will start from 12th place on the grid.

The action has only just begun at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich as points are now up for grabs in MotoGP™. Make sure to tune in as the story unfolds for the Tissot Sprint at 15:00 local time (GMT +2)! 

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