Pecco Bagnaia and Ducati have met and now the feeling is that it will be really difficult for everyone to try to beat them. After the domination of Jerez, the vice-world champion also gave a show in the qualifications of the French Grand Prix, going to sign his second pole position of the season and the record of the Le Mans track in 1’30 “450. A performance which will remain in history, because it is the first Ducati pole on this track.
The Piedmontese, however, also proved to be a great team player, because in the second run of Q2 he offered the hook to his teammate Jack Miller. A tow that the Australian exploited in the best possible way, finishing just 69 thousandths behind the twin Desmosedici GP and allowing the Borgo Panigale manufacturer to place an amazing double.
The Italian bikes have dominated the scene, because Aprilia completes the front row, which by now with Aleix Espargaro is a reality that is in all respects considered in contention for the title. The Granollers driver had even reached T3 with 37 thousandths of a margin, but then he could not respond to the amazing T4 of the Reds, finishing at 159 thousandths. Not bad on a track that the rider and the bike have never loved, also because it is the third consecutive first row for both.
Many saw Fabio Quartararo as the big favorite for pole position, but the local idol had to settle at the end of the second row, with a delay of 238 thousandths. However, the leader of the World Championship and his Yamaha seem to be the best placed on the race pace, even if there is a real risk of rain for tomorrow.
The Italian bikes, but especially the Ducatis, were really in the dust in these qualifications, because “El Diablo” is the only intruder in the first two rows. To complete the second, in fact, we find the other two Desmosedici GPs of Enea Bastianini and Johann Zarco, who perhaps after the time he had done in FP3 would have hoped for something more in the home race.
Third row for the two Suzukis, with Joan Mir who, despite having passed from Q1, in the end managed to find the paw to put his GSX-RR in seventh position, ahead of Alex Rins’ sister bike. Rounding out the third row is Jorge Martin’s other Ducati Pramac, also promoted from Q1.
Despite having brought three bikes to Q2, Honda was unable to go beyond occupying the entire fourth row, with Marc Marquez tenth ahead of the other two RC213Vs of Pol Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami. A lot of anger in particular for the # 44, who saw a lap ruined by Zarco, who proceeded slowly to the chicane.
Unfortunately, Marco Bezzecchi’s hopes of participating again in Q2 were disappointed by just 7 thousandths. The Mooney VR46 driver was faster than Mir up to T3, but then he was not as effective as the Suzuki rider in T4 and so he has to settle for 13th place on the grid.
In the fifth row there will also be space for Luca Marini’s twin Ducati, who will start 15th, also behind Maverick Vinales’ Aprilia, which even on the French track has not yet managed to propose itself at the same level as its pit-mate.
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s performance was also discreet, opening the sixth row with his Gresini Racing Ducati. The Roman rider got in front of the two factory KTMs, who are experiencing a complicated weekend to say the least and tomorrow they will start 17th and 18th respectively with Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder.
It is even worse for the last two riders from our home, who really don’t seem to be able to find the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to finding a feeling with their Yamahas. Franco Morbidelli and Andrea Dovizioso will in fact line up in the seventh row, 19th and 20th, therefore still very far from the reference M1, that of Quartararo.
Q2 standings
Q1 standings
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