MotoGP | Barcelona GP Qualifying: Aprilia beats Ducati, Espargarò on pole ahead of Bagnaia

MotoGP Catalan GP Qualifying – An extraordinary Aleix Espargarò took pole position for the Catalan Grand Prix, the ninth stage of the 2022 MotoGP scheduled for tomorrow on the Montmelò circuit in Barcelona.

The Aprilia rider was a prophet in his homeland and with a time of 1:38.742 he took his RS-GP to the top, beating the Ducati of Pecco Bagnaia, winner of the last race at Mugello, by just 31 thousandths. This is Espargarò's fourth pole in MotoGP.

The front row is completed by a great Fabio Quartararo, who, fresh from his renewal with Yamaha, "stops" 0.217s from pole. “El Diablo” showed great match pace and will be able to start the match tomorrow.

Fourth time and front row for the Ducatis of Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), the increasingly surprising rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing).

Great growth for the Roman rider, who aboard the #49 Gresini Racing Ducati, after the pole at Mugello, once again finds himself among the greats in his ninth race in the Top Class.

Good performance by Alex Rins (Suzuki), seventh and ahead of the Aprilia of his compatriot Maverick Vinales and the Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team of Luca Marini, who closes the third row 0.709s from the top.

Fourth row for Pol Espargarò's Honda, Jack Miller's Ducati and Takaaki Nakagami's Honda LCR.

However, it will be an uphill race for Marco Bezzecchi (rookie Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing) who did not pass Q1 and who will start from 13th and 14th position.

Further back were the Yamahas of Franco Morbidelli (Team Factory) and Andrea Dovizioso (Team WithU RNF), who finished in 18th and 19th position. Michele Pirro (wild card Ducati Aruba) will start 22nd fastest.

Fourth successful Marc Marquez arm operation

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