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Marc Marquez – Andrea Dovizioso 2-0. The challenge that counts will be the one tomorrow, but right now, number 93 has a little something extra on the Italian and it doesn’t seem like there is much hope. In qualifying, the Honda riding Spaniard also made the difference, taking pole on Saturday with a time of 1’29”847.
The five-time world champion was the only rider to drop below the 1’30” mark, falling victim to an inconsequential crash in the finale, his 27th of the season. There was a moment of anger from the Spanish rider, ready to give his bike a swift kick: “I’ll give it my all down to the end –Marc said – Unfortunately, I did not have the right confidence on turn 2 and 4, so I ended up on the ground. Tomorrow I’ll have to be more calm. On race pace, a lot of riders are close – he added – Managing the tyres will also be fundamental.”
In the challenge for the title, Dovizioso (+1.064) is forced to play the part of a spectator. It was a bitter session for the Italian who was unable to do better than the ninth best time, a full second behind the championship leader. For him, the race is shaping up to be an exercise in playing catch-up and it will certainly not be simple, because Valencia is one of those tracks where overtaking is anything but easy.
Getting back to the standings, alongside Marc Marquez on the starting grid will be Johann Zarco (+0.349). The Frenchman is becoming more and more of a stable presence in the Yamaha camp: “I am very happy about my performance – the French rider said – We worked well on the bike and I am confident with my pace. I think I have what it takes to win.” Astonishing everyone with the third best time was Andrea Iannone (+0.502). On his last attempt, The Maniac managed to snag his first front row with the Suzuki: “For the moment, I think it is a positive weekend – the Italian rider commented – I am happy to be in the same conditions after a year with Suzuki. This result is dedicated to the entire team.”
Opening up the second row, on the other hand is the Ducati ridden by Jorge Lorenzo (+0.563). The Majorcan also ended up in the gravel midway through the session on turn fourteen but without any consequences. The number 99 rider is the best in the Ducati camp, whereas Michele Pirro’s GP17 was sixth (+0.867). Between the two ‘Reds’ is Dani Pedrosa’s Honda, apparently having some difficulties compared to yesterday (+0.692).
The afternoon qualifiers confirmed the Yamaha Factory riders’ troubles. While Viñales was unable to make it through to Q2, Valentino Rossi was almost a full second behind the leader (+0.951). The Doctor will start from the seventh spot on the grid ahead of Aleix Espargaró who also had a crash during qualifying. Rins had the tenth best time ahead of Pol Espargaró’s KTM which will start from pit lane due to a penalty, leaving room for Jack Miller’s Honda. No Q2 for Danilo Petrucci.
