Bagnaia takes pole position and puts pressure on Martín, who could only be fourth

Decisive weekend for the outcome of the World Cup, with Jorge Martin leading Pecco Bagnaia by 24 points in the general standings. The grid configuration took on special importance, taking into account that the Spaniard can be crowned champion this Saturday if he wins the sprint race, comes second and Pecco does not win or scores two more points than the Italian. Jorge assured that he saw it as almost impossible to close the World Cup on his first attempt against a Pecco who went directly into Q2, setting the best time of the practical round. The man from Madrid could only achieve the fifth best lap and avoided Q1 along with Bezzecchi, Aleix, Zarco, Viñales, the Marquez brothersAcosta and Bastianini.

Q1 began with the 13 remaining drivers, among whom were Pirro and Bradl, as Ducati and Honda testers, respectively, looking for the two play-off spots that give them the option to fight for pole. Morbidelli and Raúl Fernández seemed the strongest in the first laps. Meanwhile, Jorge Martín, in his box, killed his nerves by mentally recreating the circuit. The riders adjusted their bikes after this first ‘stint’, and went out in a rush to try to improve their times. Joan Mir and Quartararo They also opted to get into Q2, although no one was able to displace Morbidelli from first place. In the end it was the Frenchman who accompanied the Italian to the next round. Among the Spanish, Mir will start 13th on the grid, Rins 15th, Raúl Fernández 17th and Augusto Fernández 21st.

Álex Márquez fell before starting the first timed lap. Martín followed the instructions of Aleix Espargaro and let the entire bulk of pilots pass. The Aprilia rider was determined to help his friend and give him a wheel so that he could achieve the best possible time. Bagnaia He set the best time on his first lap, followed by Marc Márquez and Quartararo. The Italian improved his time and Martín placed third behind Márquez. In the final laps Morbidelli came out on the track and displaced Martín from the front row despite being his teammate in the Prima Pramac. But the last minute remained, the most decisive. Pole for Bagnaia, with Espargaró and Márquez next to him and Jorge Martín fourth.

Aleix Espargaro He was happy in his last Grand Prix and explained how qualifying had gone. «With the first front tire I felt bad and the Ducati overtook me, then I changed and I was able to do a great lap, like an animal, at the limit. And I almost succeeded,” he explained. The Catalan assures that he will try to help as much as he can Jorge Martin, with whom he has a great friendship: «There is a lot at stake. It has a little tension. Let’s see if we can help you. It is difficult to find the balance point. “I want to win but I’m almost more excited for Martín to win the title.”

Marc Marquez He came third, a result that satisfies him: «Yesterday it was clear to me that Pecco is uncatchable. He is smart, he knows he goes fast and the more people he puts between him and Martín, the more opportunities he will have. If we can manage to be in the top-5 it will be very good in this circuit that costs us so much. And he warned: «Few can follow Pecco’s pace this weekendmaybe Aleix a few laps. “He is one point above the rest.” The Catalan assured that it is a weekend to not take risks: “Those overtaking on lane five, which is a risky place, you have to think about it. But no one takes a pilot on purpose. There are two protagonists this weekend, it is Martín and Bagnaia.

Pecco Bagnaia He knows that with his pole he puts pressure on Jorge: «It won’t be easy today because we don’t know what tires we will use. It’s starting to get hotter. The exit will be super important…” «I have tried to leave the wheel to many drivers to put drivers in the middle but I don’t think finishing fourth is definitive“Jorge comes out very well and I’m sure that after the first two laps he will be second,” added the Ducati rider.