2020 MotoGP Round Two – Jerez
Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucía

MotoGP Race Report

For the first time since Phillip Island 2014, Yamaha locked out the podium in a 1-2-3, but it was Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) who once again scorched to victory on Sunday at the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia. Maverick Viñales and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team-mate Valentino Rossi had a memorable fight for the rostrum in which the number 12 came out on top for second – but nevertheless it was The Doctor’s first podium since the 2019 Americas GP as he took P3.

Quartararo got the best launch and from pole, with Rossi also getting away well from P4, but drama unfolded behind as fifth place Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech3) crashed in a Turn 1 melee that also then involved Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Bradley Smith (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini). The Portuguese rider was down and out of the race, with Binder running off circuit and dropping to the back and Smith’s race compromised too.

There was a three-way Yamaha scrap at the front though, and it was Quartararo leading Viñales and Rossi, who had a slight gap to the two Pramac Racing riders of the quick starting Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia just behind. Quartararo was getting down to business quickly though with the hammer well and truly down, and Viñales went wide at the final corner trying to pounce. Instead, that let The Doctor through into second, with Quartararo starting to escape and Viñales having lost out some significant ground. Just behind, Bagnaia went for P4 underneath Miller as well but was also wide, before making a miraculous save to keep his GP20 upright.

Quartararo’s lead on Lap 4 was up to 1.5 seconds, and Viñales couldn’t find a way through on Rossi to try and give chase. The Pramac Racing duo were also breathing down the YZR-M1 rider’s neck as the number 20 Petronas Yamaha SRT started to clear off into the distance, and Rossi couldn’t do anything about Quartararo’s pace either. By Lap 6 the Frenchman’s lead was nearly three seconds.

With 10 laps down that lead was looking unassailable, with Bagnaia making progress to get through on Miller and Viñales, as the Italian locked his radar onto the boss’ rear wheel. The race in Jerez was quickly starting to become a race of attrition in the blistering Andalusian heat, however – with some parts of the track over 63 degrees. Then Miller slid out of contention at Turn 9 having made his way through on Viñales at the beginning of the lap, and teammate Bagnaia pounced Rossi for second place.

Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) had made steady progress and was the fastest man on track as he got in the hunt for that illustrious first MotoGP podium, but drama was just around the corner in a cruel end to the Italian’s race as he encountered engine troubles with nine laps to go. Heartbreak for Morbidelli, and there would be more incoming for his compatriot Pecco Bagnaia. Safely in P2 ahead of Rossi, smoke started to stream out of his GP20 and onto the back straight, just six laps away from spraying the Prosecco, Bagnaia was out of contention.

This saw Rossi back up into second, with Viñales back in the podium places just behind. El Diablo’s lead was up to nearly nine seconds and the win – barring any mistakes or reliability issues – was surely his. Viñales was clambering all over the back of the number 46, but Rossi was a demon on the brakes and it was really looking like Viñales just wouldn’t be able to find a way through. Then though, after not having put a wheel wrong the whole race, Rossi was slightly wide at Turn 9 – and Top Gun pounced. Viñales was up to second and was able to immediately get some bike lengths on the veteran Italian, although the Doctor couldn’t relax with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) just eight tenths down the road…

At the front though it was all about one man. Quartararo made no mistakes in the brutal conditions to take his second consecutive victory, cementing his lead in the Championship over second place Viñales. The Spaniard salvaged 20 points which could be crucial in the long run, but he had no answer for his 2021 teammate in Jerez. Rossi’s return to the rostrum was more than welcomed for the 41-year-old, the number 46 putting in a mesmerising ride to notch up his 199th MotoGP podium, and his 235th across all classes.

Nakagami’s P4 was the Japanese rider’s best ride in the premier class as he finished just 6.113 off the win and half a second from the podium, putting the Japanese rider 4th in the Championship heading to Brno. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) banished the demons from the Spanish GP to finish 5th seven days later too – his equal-best in MotoGP. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), meanwhile, recovered from a P14 starting slot to take sixth in Jerez after a third place finish last weekend, with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in P7 the only KTM to finish in a tough day for the Austrian factory with Oliveira, Binder and Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech3) all crashing out.

Just 1.8 seconds behind Pol Espargaro was Repsol Honda Team’s Alex Marquez, the reigning Moto2 World Champion producing an impressive ride in just his second MotoGP race, in the toughest of conditions, to take the chequered flag in P8. The lone Repsol Honda managed to beat Johann Zarco (Hublot Reale Avintia) as the Frenchman took P9, with the remarkable Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) defying the odds to complete the race and take 10th. An unbelievable and super-human effort from the Spaniard after suffering a dislocation-fracture to his shoulder eight days ago. Tito Rabat (Hublot Reale Avintia), Smith and the second injured rider on the grid, Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), were the final finishers – a sterling effort from the latter to complete the laps.

Binder once again showed his cracking pace after dropping back in the Turn 1 incident, but the South African rookie then sadly crashed out unhurt at Turn 13. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) also crashed – riders ok.

50 from 50: Quartararo has had a perfect couple of weekends in Jerez and will head to Brno as the points leader, with Viñales taking home two second places – far from a disaster – and looking to build on a successful weekend. Also expected in Czechia is the return of reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to the MotoGP arena… and we can’t wait for more.

MotoGP Race Results

MotoGP Championship Points Standings

---

Moto2 Race Report

Italtrans Racing Team’s Enea Bastianini is back on top of a Grand Prix podium for the first time in two years after the Italian clinched a debut Moto2 victory at the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia. ‘The Beast’ had some familiar company on the podium in the form of Sky Racing Team VR46’s Luca Marini, with Marini’s sophomore teammate Marco Bezzecchi taking his first Moto2 rostrum finish in third. That made it an all-Italian top three in the intermediate class, for the first time since Imola 1998.

Bezzecchi took the holeshot from pole position but the only held the lead for half a lap, with Bastianini making a brave dive up the inside at Turn 6 to steal it. Bezzecchi then soon also lost out on second after teammate Marini squeezed through just three turns later, the veteran seeming eager to try and stop Bastianini escaping early on. The Italtrans Racing Team man had eked out a comfortable advantage of about three or four tenths already, and the clock was ticking…

Further back, Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) lunged up the inside of Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at Turn 6 for fifth place, but the Spaniard ran wide and allowed last week’s podium finisher back through. Thanks to the Spaniards squabbling over fifth place, second, third and fourth in the running, Marini, Bezzecchi and EG 0,0 Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes, were then able to open out a second and could focus on cementing a podium place.

Navarro then got through on Martin, again at Turn 6, but yellow flags were waving due to an earlier crash for Kasma Daniel (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team). As a result, the Speed Up man was forced to hand a place back but did so in a pretty smooth manner, running wide at Turn 13 on purpose before then squeezing back in behind Aron Canet (Openbank Aspar Team Moto2), who had battled his way through to fifth.

Back at the front, Bastianini’s gap was at 0.8 with 17 to go, but last week’s race winner Marini had found his groove, halving that advantage in just a lap. The Sky Racing Team VR46 rider then sat in behind his compatriot with 15 laps remaining, looking like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. In that battle for a top five finish, Navarro then suddenly crashed out at Turn 9.

As the laps ticked away, the pressure built on Bastianini and it looked like he’d cracked after running ever so slightly wide at Turn 8, with Marini suddenly glued to his rear wheel. With 12 to go Marini had his biggest look up the inside of the number 33, showing his front wheel, but not managing to squeeze through.

At seven to go, Bastianini pulled the pin. Suddenly moving a second clear, and then 1.5 a lap later, he eventually came across the line 2.1 seconds ahead of Marini to take his first win in the intermediate class. And for the first time since 1998, in a race won by Valentino Rossi, Italy had a podium lock-out as Bezzecchi held off Lowes to joined his compatriots on the box.

The Brit was less than a second in further arrears as they came across the line and again took fourth place, as he did seven days ago. The final place inside the top five went to rookie Canet, again impressing many with his performance, ahead of Martin in sixth. Liqui Moly Intact GP’s Tom Lüthi took seventh.

The fight for eighth went right down to the wire, with Championship leader Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) the man to lose out at the final corner after running wide. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) emerged out of that gaggle of riders at the front, before Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) clinched the final top ten spots. Nagahima’s 11th place finish moved him onto 50 points in the World Championship though, and it’s enough to hold onto the lead heading into Brno.

Enea Bastianini – P1

“I’m really happy because also this morning I was fast, and this afternoon in the race, I thought inside me I could win because I’m fast and after pushing from the first laps, the last ten laps I kept a bit of a gap to Marini and it’s a brilliant race. The bike was really incredible, thanks to my team! I dedicate this victory to Livio, my great friend, who is no longer here with us.”

Remy Gardner – P14

“It was another tough Friday. We still weren’t quite there with the bike set-up. We could see the problem on the telemetry, but we just couldn’t seem to get around it. We kept thinking for solutions for Saturday and qualifying but remained fully focused on Sunday which is where you get the points. We made a good step forward on Saturday morning but then went the wrong way in qualifying, especially when you factor the heat. I was giving 100% but there was nothing more I could, so we qualified on row five. Racing is always different to finding a fast lap, so I was confident of moving forward when the lights went out and making something out of what had been a challenging start to the weekend. As it happens, I had a bike with no grip, just like last week. I had four or five massive saves and unfortunately it ended a pretty bad weekend. We will come back stronger in Brno.”

Moto2 Race Results

Moto2 Championship Points Standings

---

Moto3 Race Report

Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) is the first man to convert pole position in the Moto3 class at Jerez into a win, taking victory in the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia as he held off John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) in another fabulous final corner decider. There was drama in the World Championship standings too, with points leader Albert Arenas (Soliunion Aspar Team Moto3) and previously second-placed Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) crashing out.

Suzuki got the launch he would have been looking for from pole position as the Japanese rider grabbed the holeshot into Turn 1, with Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and Ogura exchanging P2 and P3 at Turn 1 and Turn 2 as the riders safely negotiated Lap 1 in Andalucia. A rider who was negotiating the pack efficiently was Darryn Binder on the CIP Green Power KTM, too, as the South African was up to the point-scoring positions on Lap 2 – from 25th on the grid and setting two fastest laps in a row to boot…

Suzuki was eager to stay at the forefront of the fight, and the Japanese rider kept himself in or near the lead throughout. Rodrigo and Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had a look at the 24 on a few occasions and despite getting by, Suzuki would then simply bite straight back at the first opportunity. The came the first Championship contender drama as Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) took out Ogura at Turn 9, tucking the front.

At the front of the race though, it remained a lead group of 10 with 10 laps left. Suzuki remained at the head of the train, with Rodrigo having another pop, but the Japanese rider was again back at the front a few corners later. McPhee had slowly picked off his rivals too and was up to third and then second at Turn 5 with nine laps to go, but it seemed it was set to be another classic scrap for the win and podium places between the top 10.

The second big bout of drama for the Championship then hit. With eight laps to go, Arenas had been looking comfortable in the lead group but the Spaniard was suddenly down at the fast Turn 11 right-hander, taking a heavy tumble and heading to the medical centre for a check-up – rider ok. With the previous top two riders in the title race out, it was suddenly a big opportunity for the likes of McPhee and Suzuki to capitalise…

Ultimately, it would end up as a six-way scrap for victory in the latter laps as Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) dropped off the pace, as did Fernandez, with birthday boy Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) also then crashing from the group at Turn 5.

Could anyone get the better of Suzuki? Ultimately not, with the shuffle at the final corner free of drama this time around and the Japanese rider able to keep ahead to the line. McPhee avoided the bad luck of his Spanish GP and was only half a tenth off in the end, with Vietti a similarly tiny gap back in third.

Binder completed the fairtyale comeback this weekend as he took an amazing fourth place – up 21 positions from where he started – with Rodrigo completing the top five. Fernandez took sixth, ahead of a P7 for Jeremy Alcoba (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) after the rookie was awarded a three-second penalty for not complying with a Long Lap penalty. He crossed the line fourth.

Eighth went to Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) as he took some solid points, ahead of an impressive first top ten finish for his teammate, rookie Ryusei Yamanaka. Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) completed the top ten.

Tatsuki Suzuki – P1

“I’m very happy, more than let’s say Misano, because in this race I was always in front, leading the group, and I didn’t care when I got pushed behind, I was aggressive and tried to stay at the front. This makes a huge difference! Last weekend I was very disappointed with my race, but today I’m the happiest!”

Moto3 Race Results

Moto3 Championship Points Standings

---

MotoE

Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) picked up his first FIM Enel MotoE World Cup victory after a dramatic race at the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia, escaping the chaos to unleash some serious pace at the front as reigning Cup holder Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) collided with Spanish GP winner Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) with two laps to go. Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) made it a rookie 1-2 as he came home second and avoided the clash, with Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the podium and back on the box for the first time since Misano last year.

It was a frantic start for the MotoE riders as the opening lap saw plenty of swapping and changing. Aegerter got the holeshot from pole position but Ferrari dived under the inside at Turn 5, although it wouldn’t last long as the Italian ran wide and Aegerter was back in the lead. The scrap for first was hotly contested, with home hero Alejandro Medina (Openbank Aspar Team) the next rider making their way to the front from P6 on the grid.

After running deep Turn 6 – taking Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) wide with him – Granado had work to do if he was to pick up his second victory in seven days. Aegerter had slipped to third behind Ferrari and Medina, but the Swiss rider got back up to P2, before Medina crashed out at the beginning of Lap 4 – handing P3 to Granado. The Brazilian then made a slick move underneath Casadei for second, setting the fastest lap along the way to sit a second behind race leader Aegerter with two laps to go…

Huge drama was about to unfold at Turn 6, however. Down the back straight, Ferrari was late on the brakes, but it really was too late as the inaugural MotoE™ Cup winner couldn’t get his Energica Ego Corsa stopped at all. Granado was in the wrong place at the wrong time as Ferrari careened through and clipped him, both hitting the deck. That left Aegerter with a comfortable cushion over second, and the Swiss rider made no mistakes on his final lap to win his first MotoE™ race by an impressive 2.6 seconds. Torres kept hold of P2, with Casadei managing to recover from running wide after Ferrari and Granado’s crash and the Italian picking up his second MotoE podium.

Alex de Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE) pipped Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) by 0.053 to grab P4 in Jerez, with Canepa completing the top five. Tulovic took home P6 after getting pushed wide early on, with Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Josh Hook (Octo Pramac MotoE), Xavier Simeon (LCR E-Team) and Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) completing the top 10. Granado managed to limp home to P13 in the end, taking what could end up being a valuable three points…

At the end of a breathless race, Aegerter leads the overall standings by 11 points from Torres, with Granado third – 13 adrift of the top.

Dominique Aegerter – P1

“I’m very happy about taking my first MotoE victory, we were working very hard all week, we tried to take the data from last weekend and check the small details because it’s very important to try to improve and we were able to improve in every session. The conditions were the same as last weekend so it was good to compare some different settings, The team worked very well in the hot conditions in the tent, thanks to them. The race was quite hard, it’s just six laps but we were battling hard in the first two laps and I knew that I had to stay in front. I knew that I had the pace to go away a little, and I could do it and take my first win. Thank you very much for everything, and I hope the fans at home enjoyed the race!”

Josh Hook – P8

“Wasn’t the start I wanted, I couldn’t make the overtaking i was hoping for in the first corner, but today my race pace was good and i’m happy. We still have work to do, but overall I think we are going in the right direction.”

MotoE Race Results

MotoE Championship Points Standings

Source: MCNews.com.au

2020 MotoGP Round Two – Jerez
Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucía

MotoGP riders reflect on Qualifying

Fabio Quartararo – P1

“Today was a really good day for us! FP4 was really positive with the ten laps that we did in a row at a really good pace, which is something important that we needed to do. I was actually surprised to make pole position!  I thought the lap I did would put me on the front row, which was our goal for today, but it was actually a pole position lap! The conditions were strange because in FP4 it was really good but in qualifying it was starting to get windy. I’m of course happy with another pole position and I know that we also have a really good pace for tomorrow. I expect a really good race but we have a few riders who could pose a real challenge. We’ll be trying our best to stay in front, stay focused, manage the pace and just do the best we can tomorrow.”

Maverick Vinales – P2

“My best lap time got cancelled, but I‘m happy anyway. The target was to do a 1‘36s in qualifying, and wow! I felt so good on the bike and, honestly, I felt that I touched the green in Turn 7, but I wasn‘t sure if it was with all the tyre or not, but you know, it was still a fantastic feeling. It was a shame that on the first lap on my second tyre I found Pol Espargaró on the ground and couldn‘t make that lap. I think our potential was very strong today, but anyway I‘m so happy and so pleased, because the bike is working so well. I can‘t wait for tomorrow and be in the race.”

Pecco Bagnaia – P3

“I was missing this feeling. My first time in first row in MotoGP is something very beautiful for all of us. We did a further step forward; I feel ready for the race and we focused about the last part of the race and I think that this time we can manage front tires wear. I will try to be fast and constant since the start because I know that we have the race pace to stay with the head group. I want to thanks my team and Ducati because they deserve it for trusting and I think that a first row today can be a very important goal for us.”

Valentino Rossi – P4

“Today we continued to work on the bike. We have a different setting and I feel better. I‘m not too bad in the morning, in the afternoon I suffer a little bit more, but it looks like it‘s difficult for everybody. This afternoon was also hotter than before, and tomorrow will be another step: I think that tomorrow will be the hottest MotoGP race that I‘ve ever seen. Now the situation starts to be really at the limit, so I think that riding 25 laps will be a great challenge for everybody. I will start from a good position, and my pace is also not so bad in the afternoon, but we still have to improve something, in some places we lose a bit. So we still have work to do, but it will be important to start towards the front.”

Miguel Oliveira – P5

“It was a positive qualifying because it’s our best starting position and something that we wanted to improve from last weekend, so we are happy. But of course, we are conscious that the job is not done yet. We still need to finish the race tomorrow with a lot of points, so we will keep on working, fine-tune the last details and keep a strong mentality for the race.”

Franco Morbidelli – P6

It was a difficult Saturday. We didn’t start the day in the best way because we tried something new and we couldn’t change it back during the session, so I had to get the maximum out of it. Unfortunately I didn’t get into Q2 directly but I was able to progress from Q1 and eventually finish with a second row for tomorrow. I’m happy with this result, as our aim was for at least the second row. Ahead of tomorrow we’ll tweak a few things and see what we can do. I think it will be tough tomorrow as there are a lot of strong riders, but we know our potential and we’ll be trying our best to achieve this, hopefully it will be a podium! This is what I’m aiming for.

Jack Miller – P7

“Happy enough with today, we would have liked to have been a little more up the grid but I’ll take it! I didn’t really get to do a clean lap, the first tyre I had took a bit to get going and didn’t really work on the first 2 and a half laps and I ended up doing 3 laps. The pit stop was a little bit of a rush to get the tires over, and then got caught over by the new yellow flag rule and had to roll out of my first run lap and then on my second one I had a couple of mistake and then had to literally ride with my eyes shut in the last 3 sectors to make up time and improve. Hopefully we can spring up a few positions.”

Takaaki Nakagami – P8

“It’s quite positive for us after the second day here. We are working on the Sunday race set-up and the bike is much more comfortable and consistent which is good. In qualifying on the last lap at the last corner I was trying to give 100 percent, but before the last corner I felt some shaking and I wasn’t able to stop the bike. I lost control but there was no crash which was good, but I was off the track and that was game over. Up until then we were going faster and faster and were in P4 or P5, but we finished in P8 so that was a bit disappointing, but the team has done a great job this weekend. I feel positive for tomorrow, we have good pace and I think we can have a strong race.”

Brad Binder – P9

“Today has been good. The main target was to make it through to Q2 because that’s what we didn’t do last week. I must be happy because we made some steady progress. We are heading in a good direction. It’s looking positive for tomorrow and I think I can do a good job: what position that will be I have no idea! In general, the pace is decent. To qualify 9th in my second grand prix is fantastic.”

Joan Mir – P10

“I’m struggling a bit when it comes to a fast lap, the heat makes everything hard because with the higher temperatures I couldn’t capture the same feeling. But I’m improving and I’ve cut down the gap between myself and the fastest riders, and I’m confident in my race pace. I plan to make up positions and defend myself tomorrow, I hope that I can make a much better start than last week and work my way through as the race goes on.”

Danilo Petrucci – P11

“I’m not particularly happy with the result I got in qualifying today. This morning in FP3, I managed to set a good time, while this afternoon in both FP4 and Q2 I couldn’t find the right conditions to be able to do a strong lap again. For sure, the eleventh position wasn’t what I expected. Tomorrow it will be important to start well to be able to do a good race”.

Pol Espargaro – P12

“It was a good day up until the qualifying. I locked the front in the second corner and couldn’t even set a lap-time. It has put us in a critical position on the grid, but tomorrow is when the points come. We have to make extra effort tomorrow to be where we want to be. I would say our pace is one of the best, the bike felt nice and smooth and I could make the race pace on a used tire very easily. I really want to start and push right away when the tire is fresh and try to overtake as soon as possible.”

Cal Crutchlow – P13

“Obviously today was going to be a difficult day trying to qualify for the grid in the MotoGP race, but I want to thank the LCR Honda Castrol team and Honda for giving me a good enough bike to try and do some good laps today. In the free practices I didn’t feel fantastic with the bike and also in qualifying, but I think that was also me riding the bike with some hesitation. But hopefully we can start the race tomorrow and have a good ride. It’s important to see our position in the race and manage it well as 25 laps round here is not going to be easy, but we’ll try our best for our team, sponsors and manufacturer.”

Andrea Dovizioso – P14

“These two days have been rather strange. We worked hard based on the data collected last weekend, and this allowed us to improve a lot the feeling with the bike and be more consistent as a race pace. Unfortunately, we are still not fast enough, and today we were not able to get into Q2. Starting from the back of the grid could be a limit for tomorrow’s race, but with a strong start we can still aim for a good result to try and get as many points as possible for the championship”.

Aleix Espargaro – P16

“This morning, I tried everything I could to get Aprilia into the top 10 and we really came very close. Unfortunately, on the flying lap we are still not perfectly at ease, whereas it’s a different story if we look at our race pace. I felt pretty good during FP4. I think that battling for a top-ten position is within our potential. The temperatures already went up today and tomorrow it will be even hotter. It will be a very demanding race.”

Iker Lecuona – P17

“I had a fall this morning and therefore it took me some time to regain my feeling this afternoon but in qualifying I finally managed to improve my lap time compared to last week. I felt good with the bike and I can enjoy riding, so I’m really happy. I want to thank my team and also Miguel’s crew because they helped us a lot to prepare my bike.”

Bradley Smith – P19

“We tried a lot of setups to improve the areas where we have the greatest limitations, but we still haven’t found the right path. In these situations, you can choose not to change too much on the bike and not take a risk, or you can try different geometries and settings. To be honest, I prefer the second option. Unfortunately, when we improve one aspect, we make another worse, and that is complicating our weekend a bit. We have to set reasonable goals for ourselves and what we need to do tomorrow is try to improve compared to last week’s race.”

Alex Rins – P20

“It was positive to jump on the bike again but honestly speaking I’m feeling exhausted after the qualifying. It is so hot on the bike, and with the injury I also have to ride more physically to compensate, this uses up more energy and I get tired after a few laps. The injury is taking it out of me and it’s very painful, but I knew it would be hard. I managed to work on settings and tyres and also my rhythm. Let’s try to recover a bit for tomorrow, take some rest, and see what the situation is after the warm up.”

Alex Marquez – P21

“It was a very positive FP4 and I was feeling very good with used tyres but then I struggled more on new tyres. I made a lot of mistakes during Qualifying and I’m not able to really make the most of the initial grip, this is certainly something I have to work on because qualifying in MotoGP is so important. Even so, our race pace is looking better, and I am pleased with this. I also had a small crash, my arm is OK after some initial pain because the crash was quite fast, but it will be fine for tomorrow and the plan is to go forward tomorrow.”

Marc Marquez – Withdrawn

“It has been a difficult week and a lot has happened since last Sunday when certainly I would not have said ‘I will try to race next week’. But when you have a passion for something and you devote yourself to achieving something, you have to at least try so your conscience is calm. After the operation I saw I had mobility in the elbow and good strength and I was able to do some push-ups, of course there was pain there but it was manageable. I then spoke with Honda about all of the options and we agreed to try on Saturday, to see what was possible at least. Throughout I have listened to the doctors and my body, in the morning today I was feeling good and we were happy with our progress. But then when it came time to do the Time Attack, when it is less about being consistent and more about being aggressive, the arm was without strength. I don’t know if it was from the swelling or from the heat but I knew I needed to listen to my body. Throughout this process I have spoken with my Repsol Honda Team and with HRC and I want to say thank you to them for always respecting my decisions. I also want to thank the doctors, physios and those close to me for helping me to try and chase this dream. Sadly, we cannot race tomorrow but I will continue to do everything I can to be back on track in Brno and to fight for the championship.”

Alberto Puig – Repsol Honda Team Manager

“This morning the objective was to make first contact with the bike and we saw that Marc could still be fast. In the afternoon the plan was to do a longer run. Either due to the heat or fatigue from the morning, he experienced more problems and found it more difficult. Obviously we have understood that it was better not to take more risks. We have followed the plan, which was to miss Friday and see how Marc felt today. Now we have analyzed the situation and made the decision not to participate in tomorrow’s race. We have followed the plan, always checking the physical condition of the rider. Marc has tried to listen to his body, to see how he responded. When he saw that he could not, we have all decided not to race tomorrow. Marc is very strong. He wanted to try, and we wanted to give him the opportunity to do it, we have supported him at all times. I think we have made the right decision at all times. A champion cannot stay at home if he thinks he has the option or a slight chance. Now he has a lot of inflammation, but it will pass. There are many races ahead and the goal is to arrive in Brno in the best way.”

Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Team Director

“We came close to pole, but honestly, we’re very pleased with today‘s results. Maverick is on the front row, which was his goal. He has been looking very comfortable with his bike so far this weekend and also his race pace is competitive, so this front-row start will be a key element for him to wrap this GP weekend up with a top result. Valentino has improved his pace in the hotter afternoon conditions, and it showed in qualifying. Starting from the second row will allow him to get in the midst of the action at the front. We‘ve done a lot of work today. We’re still weighing our options for what tyres we will use for tomorrow, there are several combinations that could work for us. Tomorrow we will make our final decision, but in any case, we’re really looking forward to starting the race.”

Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager

“It was a tricky qualifying. Joan did well this morning to get into the Top 10 and Q2 but during qualifying he struggled a bit. But anyway, 10th on the grid isn’t bad and he’ll aim to keep a good pace tomorrow and gain positions. Alex tried hard despite the pain, and we knew it would be hard for him to improve his lap time. On his last flying lap there was yellow flag and he had to slow down so he lost one lap. The goal will be just to try and finish as best he can and get some points. It will be hard and let’s see tomorrow what we can do.”

---

MotoGP Qualifying Report

Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) has claimed back-to-back pole positions at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto thanks to a 1:37.007 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia, beating Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) to the honour as the number 12 had his fastest effort cancelled for exceeding track limits. The last minute slice of drama makes it three poles in a row at the venue for Quartararo after his rookie heroics in last year’s Spanish GP, and his fourth pole in a row stretching back to Sepang 2019. Completing the top three was an impressive performance from Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing), with the Italian taking his first premier class front row start and doing it as top Ducati to boot.

The session was set up for a duel from the off, and that’s what we got. Quartararo was hitting first and ultimately it all came down to Viñales: the gauntlet was thrown, a 1:37.007, but could the Spaniard hit back? The answer appeared to be yes and it was advantage Viñales, but not long after he crossed the line, the drama hit and the lap suddenly disappeared off the timing screens. Where he had seemed a tenth clear, the Spaniard was pushed down to second and the replay showed why: track limits. A small infraction but a clear one, the pole was handed to ‘El Diablo’.

Behind that, Bagnaia’s impressive pace from last weekend has only been increasing and the Italian made another step forward with a landmark first premier class front row, and less than a tenth off Viñales. He was also a nice little chunk of time clear of mentor of sorts Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), with the ‘Doctor’ bumped down to head the second row.

That second row is nevertheless a big leap forward for the nine-time World Champion after a tougher time out in the Spanish GP at times, and he beat a stunning performance from Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) to keep the Portuguese rider in fifth by only a couple of thousandths. It’s Oliveira’s best, however, and he’s top KTM after a slightly tougher Saturday afternoon for the Austria factory than promised. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completes the second row.

Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) will be looking for revenge against his less experienced teammate Bagnaia from P7, and the Australian having only narrowly missed out on a podium last week so he’ll want a good launch off the line with, which his machinery may help. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) had another impressive session to join Miller on Row 3, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) locking that out in P9. The South African didn’t quite replicate his searing Friday, but he seems one to watch once the lights go out, with serious speed. He has also won from the back at Jerez in Moto3 – a stat that becomes even more impressive considering no one has ever won from pole in the class…

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) leads the Suzuki charge in tenth, with Hamamatsu factory teammate Alex Rins on the superhuman comeback from injury and starting 20th after managing a few more laps on Saturday. 11th went the way of Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), with P12 filled by Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) after a heartbreakingly-timed crash in Q2. Rider ok, and ready to light it up again on Sunday as KTM’s pace continues to impress.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) put in a mammoth effort to go from surgery on a broken scaphoid only a few days ago to almost getting through from Q1, and he’ll start P13, ahead of a difficult day at the office for Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), who’ll be looking to launch forward. Johann Zarco (Hublot Reale Avintia Racing) starts P15.

---

MotoGP Qualifying Results

---

Moto2

Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) took his first Moto2 pole position on Saturday in the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia, ending Q2 0.037 ahead of Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) to take the honour and show more top pace in 2020. Behind Lowes, who has won at the venue before, it’s Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) who completes the front row – and after coming through Q1.

Under the scorching Andalucian sun, it was Bezzecchi and Sky Racing Team VR46 teammate Luca Marini who were at the summit from the off, with the Italians working well in tandem once again, but Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) then hit back to get in the mix. Bezzecchi wouldn’t be denied though and the Italian put in another stunner to take back the provisional pole, with Bastianini then shooting up to P2. Lowes looked like the last man to threaten but ultimately just fell hundredths short and takes second.

Navarro starts fourth and will be hoping his luck will change after his Turn 1, opening lap crash at the Spanish GP last week. He’s joined by Spanish GP winner Marini, who couldn’t improve on his last run, and last weekend’s polesitter Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on the second row.

Aron Canet (Openbank Aspar Team Moto2) had another strong showing in P7, with the impressive rookie set to lead the more experienced Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) and Tom Lüthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP) away from the third row. Lüthi’s teammate Marcel Schrötter rounds out the top 10 having had an off-track excursion at Turn 1 in Q2.

Championship leader Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had to settle for P15 in Q2, and he’ll be one looking for some points and progress on Sunday. The Japanese rider is on the comeback from a heavy FP3 crash, and may be set on damage control in the Sunday heat.

Marco Bezzecchi

“It’s important to be here, especially for me, because I had a difficult season last year and the injury, so a tough period, but today I was very strong. I’m very happy for this because the team worked really well, and this this pole is for the Sky Racing Team, they saved me. I’m very happy so I want to thank the team, the academy, Vale, everyone. And now I’m focused for tomorrow because it will be difficult with the hot conditions and my foot, but for the moment I’ll enjoy it and I’m very happy!”

---

Moto2 Qualifying Results

---

Moto3

Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) showed three is very much a magic number for the number 24 in 2020, taking a third consecutive pole position in the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia in style. The Japanese rider also had an even bigger gap than last week as he got the better of compatriot Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) by 0.285, with Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) completing the third row, just a further 0.011 in arrears.

Hot temperatures and clear skies were once again the name of the game, and once again Suzuki came out on top and stamped some authority on Saturday. The gap back from the front row to the second was nearly two tenths too, with Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) putting that in for fourth. He’s joined on Row 2 by Spanish GP podium finisher Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team), only thousandths off, with Championship leader Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3) in sixth just 0.002 off Arbolino.

Reigning FIM Moto3™ Junior World Champion Jeremy Alcoba (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) took seventh and got the better of veteran John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing), with Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) making a big move forward on Saturday to take ninth. Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) completes the top ten.

Andrea Migno (Sky Racing Team VR46) was one crasher in the session, and the Italian paid the price as he starts 18th. Two more riders to likely look out for on Sunday coming from a little further back will be previous Jerez winner Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), who just missed out on moving into Q2 after he sat out the final couple of minutes of Q1 and starts 20th, and Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power), who’s in 25th but stormed through the pack last week. Can they get back in the mix?

Tatsuki Suzuki

“I don’t know how I took this pole position. You know, usually I’m fast on Saturday and struggle a bit on Sunday in the race, so this weekend we concentrated on race distance and I’m very surprised about this lap-time, especially in the hot conditions. The lap-time makes me more confident, tomorrow I hope I’ll fight for the podium and stay as far forward as possible.”

---

Moto3 Qualifying Results

---

MotoE

Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) converted his Free Practice form into his maiden FIM Enel MotoE World Cup E-Pole in Round 2, with the Swiss rider back on top for the first time since taking pole for the 2014 German Moto2 Grand Prix. He beat second fastest Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) by 0.267. and two rookies will line-up on the front row once again as Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) set a 1:48.525 and mastered the final sector to sit third.

Track temperatures for the MotoE riders sat at a sizzling 60+ degrees on Saturday afternoon as Cup standings leader Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) went in search of his second pole in seven days. After Jakub Kornfeil (WithU Motorsport), Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) – the Spaniard having her lap time cancelled for exceeding track limits – and Alessandro Zaccone (Trentino Gresini MotoE) had completed their laps, Josh Hook (Octo Pramac MotoE) fired in a low 1:49 so set the other riders which a good benchmark time to beat.

Next thought it was a disaster for Tommaso Marcon (Tech3 E-Racing) as the Italian left pitlane too late, seeing the rookie getting a black flag in his second E-Pole session. There were no such errors for Tulovic though as the German slammed in a stunning lap time, his aforementioned 1:48.525 a tenth faster than Granado’s E-Pole time at the Spanish GP – and that time was going to take some beating.

Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) and Alejandro Medina (Openbank Aspar Team) slotted in behind Tulovic’s time despite their best effort, but Ferrari was able to knock the German off his perch to nick provisional pole by a tenth. Then came Granado, with all eyes on the Brazilian. Could the runaway Spanish GP winner put another chink in his opponents’ armour by taking pole? The number 51 had two moments on his flying lap – most notably the back getting squirmy out of Turn 6 – and that would ultimately cost him pole position as he slotted into P3, with Aegerter still to go

The former Moto2 winner made no mistakes on his run to grab pole position by over two tenths, demoting Ferrari to second and Granado off the front row. Torres and Medina will start 5th and 6th on the second row, with the experienced Alex de Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE) heading row three. Mattia Casadei (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) and Hook complete the top 10

Dominique Aegerter

“For me I’m very happy to start as poleman, we did a great job, we worked very hard this week, we were checking the data from last weekend, the team was working very hard to improve, and me to get more used to the bike! They did a greatjob, it was very hot working in the E-paddock! And as a rider on the track it’s very hot as well. The E-pole is very special, you cannot risk too much and you need to pay attention to track limits, so you need to push and we made a perfect lap. This will be a good chance for me tomorrow to start better than last weekend. I’m looking forward to it.”

Josh Hook – P10

“Today we made a step, the lap time was quite good. We are doing better than last week, and I will start in a better position tomorrow so we will be able to fight for the top 6. I’m very positive and I cannot wait to race.”

---

MotoE Qualifying Results

Source: MCNews.com.au