Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia) pulled out a surprise result in the first qualifying session to top the timesheets after Q1 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. The rookie Italian posted a 2:03.410 to ensure his place in the battle for pole for the first time since Le Mans, where he will be joined by reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar).
It was disappointment for the Yamahas, as both Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Andrea Dovizioso (Petronas Yamaha SRT) fell just short of the top two places, and they will have to settle for places on the fifth row of the grid. It was a tough outing for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Valentino Rossi (Petronas Sprinta Racing), with all three hitting the deck and failing to post a time good enough to lift them from the back end of the grid on Sunday.
Q2 is up next, with riders aiming to deny Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) pole position for the first time since 2013. Make sure you stay tuned.