MotoGP, Rossi snatches pole at Jerez

QP1- After a delay to the start of the session due to a bout of food poisoning that hit 5 of 10 Michelin technicians (the manufacturer is being put to the test in every way this year it seems), the riders were out on track for qualifying, with a first group comprising, among others, the two Aprilias of Bautista and Bradl, the Honda of Crutchlow, the Ducatis of Laverty and Baz, as the Pramac Ducatis of Pirro and Redding.

The tall Frenchman Baz dominated in the first minutes, followed by Crutchlow on the Honda Gresini and Jonny Hernandez with the Ducati Avintia. There was even bickering between Laverty and Miller, which concluded with some rather unorthodox gestures…

At the end of the session it was Cal Crutchlow on top followed by Loris Baz; these two riders proceded to QP2, to battle it out with the fastest guys around Jerez. Not a bad result for Alvaro Bautista, who just missed out on access to QP2.

QP2- A short, sharp 15-minutes, with a three-attempt strategy that saw Jorge Lorenzo swap between his "good" bike and back-up bike, and Marc Marquez who led the way for a good part of the session. A grand finale ensued, in which world champ Jorge blasted around the track, particularly through the T4 sector, demonstrating cleaner, more linear riding than everyone else. Marquez was also strong, taking a few risks but missing out on pole in the final section of the Andalusian track. 

In the very last seconds, Valentino Rossi snatched pole, putting together an impeccable lap to secure first position on the grid for the first time since Assen 2015, where he went on to win the race. This is career pole number 62 for Valentino, not bad for a 37-year old youngster...

A solid performance by Dovizioso with the Ducati; he'll start from fourth while Iannone is further back.