Misano Adriatico (Italy) (AFP)
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) won his 2nd pole position in two weeks, during qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix on Saturday in Misano, and will start Sunday ahead of Jack Miller (Ducati) and Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), world championship leader of MotoGP.
As at the GP of Aragon (Spain) last week, for his first victory in MotoGP, the Italian Bagnaia took pole by setting the track record, in 1: 31.065.
Second in the championship, he is 53 points behind the French Quartararo.
Trying to beat his rival in the dying seconds of qualifying, Quartararo fell, not serious.
Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco's Ducati-Pramacs as well as Pol Espargaro's Honda will start in second row of this 14th out of 18 Grand Prix this season, at 2:00 p.m.
"I tried everything, I braked very late at turn 1, beyond the limit ... it was pole or nothing, and there was nothing!", Smiled Quartararo.
"But the first row was the main goal, our pace is very good so we can't wait to see you tomorrow to fight for the victory".
Bagnaia, winner at 24 for the first time last week, signs the third pole position of his career, the third this season.
"It's a circuit where I feel very good," he explains.
"Since Aragon, I feel really great at all levels, the bike is working perfectly. This weekend it's a little more complicated with the weather changes, but we worked well. Fabio has a good pace too, but I think we are very efficient ".
The Spaniard Marc Marquez (Honda), made the 7th fastest time and will therefore start in 3rd row.
His compatriot Joan Mir (Suzuki), defending champion and current 3rd in the championship ahead of Zarco, will start 11th.
In front of his home crowd, Valentino Rossi (Yamaha-SRT) will only be 23rd on the starting grid.
The seven-time world champion, only 21st in the world rankings, lives his last five GPs before retirement at 42 years old.
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