Reigning Champion flattens the field in a dramatic damp shootout at Termas de Rio Hondo
They say you can’t keep a good man down, and after a more difficult Qatar GP, reigning Champion Marc Marquez bounced back in stunning style after the rain came down in Argentina – mastering the tricky damp and drying conditions to take his first pole position of the year.
With Marquez clear at the top, it was a stunning ride into P2 for Karel Abraham – who put his GP15 straight into the mix at the front and kept it calm for his best ever premier class start. Cal Crutchlow, after also impressing earlier on Saturday, completes the front row in an exciting line up at the front.
Danilo Petrucci was another who converted the Q2 opportunity into great slot on the grid, as he heads the second row from Dani Pedrosa. Pedrosa led the charge in Q1’s clash of the titans and moved through along with Valentino Rossi – setting the scene for a Q2 with a difference.
Qatar winner and Championship leader Maverick Vinales completes the second row – just ahead of veteran Italian teammate Rossi by less than a tenth. Behind the ‘Doctor’ was another solid performance from Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rider Aleix Espargaro, who will line up in P8 following his heroics in the Qatar GP to take Aprilia’s best result since returning in 2015.
Loris Baz (Reale Avintia Racing) was an early hero in the wetter conditions with a provisional front row, and the Frenchman will line up in ninth after later improvements from many in the field. Pull&Bear Aspar Team’s Alvaro Bautista completes the top ten.
Jonas Folger was top rookie in qualifying and the only rookie in Q2, lining up just ahead of Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone after the Italian had a moment on his final charge.
Andrea Dovizioso, Johann Zarco and Scott Redding complete the top 15 – just ahead of a difficult day for Jorge Lorenzo.
The lights go out for the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina at 16:00 local time, with everything set up for another incredible modern MotoGP classic.
