MotoGP: Espargaro breaks track record to win pole in Barcelona
Aleix Espargaro has won pole position for the MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix with a new circuit lap record to beat Francesco Bagnaia’s late charge on his Ducati.
It was Espargaro’s second pole of the season, and fourth of his MotoGP career. He is a favorite for Catalan GP victory having produced stunning race pace in practice.
“What qualifiers! It’s nice to be ahead of the rest here in Barcelona, but it was anything but easy. The bike moved around a lot, the conditions were critical, and I really had to give one hundred percent. I also have to thank Maverick because thanks to his slipstream on the straight, I gained a few key meters. Overall, we worked well, both on the flying lap and in terms of preparing for the race. Now all that’s left is to start well, stay focused, and see who has conserved their tires the best in the finale.”
Qualifying Results
| POS | RIDER | NAT | TEAM | TIME/DIFF |
| 1 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) | 1m38.742s |
| 2 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP22) | +0.031s |
| 3 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.217s |
| 4 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP22) | +0.285s |
| 5 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Gresini Ducati (GP21)* | +0.357s |
| 6 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP22) | +0.400s |
| 7 | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.403s |
| 8 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) | +0.655s |
| 9 | Luca Marini | ITA | Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) | +0.709s |
| 10 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +0.735s |
| 11 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Lenovo (GP22) | +0.781s |
| 12 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.869s |
| Qualifying 1: | ||||
| 13 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP21)* | 1’39.24s |
| 14 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Gresini Ducati (GP21) | 1’39.246s |
| 15 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1’39.249s |
| 16 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1’39.42s |
| 17 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | 1’39.664s |
| 18 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1’39.884s |
| 19 | Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1) | 1’40.071s |
| 20 | Remy Gardner | AUS | KTM Tech3 (RC16)* | 1’40.113s |
| 21 | Stefan Bradl | GER | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1’40.298s |
| 22 | Michele Pirro | ITA | Aruba.it Racing (GP22) | 1’40.351s |
| 23 | Darryn Binder | RSA | WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)* | 1’40.373s |
| 24 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16)* | 1’40.587s |
| Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | No Time | |