So far, everything had gone perfectly for the French MotoGP duo, who had monopolized the first two places in free practice 3 of the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday morning. But the afternoon qualifications were not of the same caliber for Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Pramac), who will not start on the front row on Sunday at Spielberg.
They will follow each other in this order in 5th and 6th places, the consequence of a Q2 where they were never really in the game. Quartararo and Zarco took time to get their bearings, while Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller put on a show up front.
The two riders of the official Ducati team were nevertheless beaten on the wire by Enea Bastianini, who set the best time on the handlebars of his Ducati Gresini in 1’28”772. This is the first pole position of the career of the Italian, who was experiencing a slump after three Grand Prix victories this season.
First pursuer of Fabio Quartararo in the World Championship, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) did not have a great day. Passed through the repechage, he will start from 9th place on the grid.
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