Pecco Bagnaia has broken four track records on Saturdays, but his unfinished business this year remains on Sundays. Four falls have separated him from Fabio Quartararo, his reference last year and also this year, in the fight for the world championship. After his setback at the Sachsenring, where he fell after starting from the pole Faced with the push of the French champion, the Italian Ducati strut once again pulled his speed to one lap to start the weekend on a good note.
After a Friday of heavy rain, which left the fight for noble positions for an intense Saturday under the constant threat of clouds in the Netherlands, the asphalt remained dry and allowed continuity to what was seen in Germany last week. Quartararo, always on top in recent Saturdays heading into the summer break, finished second and overtook Jorge Martín’s satellite Ducati, worthy in third place despite an infection in his right hand, which has not stopped bothering him since he became underwent surgery for a nerve problem after the Catalunya GP.
A yellow flag for a crash by Jack Miller in the first sector, which also annoyed Maverick Viñales in his last attempt, cut off the attempt of most of the drivers at the last minute. Aleix Espargaró, the fastest in FP3 despite a crash that devastated him, finished fifth behind Mario Bezzecchi and ahead of Miller, who will probably be penalized for his action with Viñales. Johann Zarco, ranked third in the World Cup, did not find his best form and will start seventh tomorrow.
Enea Bastianini, Martín’s rival in the fight to keep the second seat of the factory Ducati in 2023 and an initial surprise in the championship, had another dog’s day and failed to get through Q1 after sprinting to change bikes when he stopped just after leaving the pit lane. La Bestia, winner of three races this year, will start in 16th place.
On a good day for Álex Rins, ninth with a Suzuki that shows signs of life after four races to be forgotten, Joan Mir (14th) could not smile across the garage after crashing in Q1 and failing to make the cut to despite tightening with hardly any tire. The two factory KTM riders, Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, gave the Austrian brand a joy by going into the second round.
In another dire turn of events for Honda, Pol Espargaró had to give in to back pain and breathing difficulties after his double crash last weekend at the Sachsenring. Álex Márquez, again uncomfortable on his satellite Honda, will start from 21st place. The Japanese Takaaki Nakagami, who showed off to go fifth to Q2 in the only moment of celebration for the brand in the weekend, finished with a 12th position that he knew little after the joy of the morning.
This is how the ‘pole’ was
1. F. Bagnaia. 1:31,504
2. F. Quartararo. +0.116
3. J. Martin. +0.204
4. M. Bezzecchi. +0.292
5. A. Espargaro. +0.364
6. J. Miller. +0.620
7. J. Zarco. +0.671
8. M. Oliveira. +0.768
9. A. Rins. +0.803
10. B. Binder. +0.863
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