Pecco Bagnaia achieved the MotoGP pole for the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. The Italian was able to beat Marc Márquez, who shone in Q1, but could not repeat it in Q2.
To the surprise of many of the forecasts, instead of rain there was radiant sun. Of course, with cool temperatures, with 17 degrees in the air and only 14 on the asphalt.
In Q1, almost all eyes were on the eldest Márquez, who even fitted a new soft rear tire in the previous free practice session to prepare for this session.
Already in its first lap it was allowed to go below 1:30. Marini went to his wheel and stayed behind. The leap from the man from Ilerda was evident.
The one who got complicated was Enea Bastianini, who crashed in turns 3-4. He had no set time and was going quickly for his second mount.
Quartararo and Raúl Fernández surpassed the 93rd and made it clear that the official Ducati rider would have to push.
Aldeguer was also in trouble, last, and started before anyone else to avoid traffic. The Devil also left quickly and prevented anyone from following him. Marc was positioned in the group, behind Toprak and in front of Marini.
The current champion did 1:29.288, breaking the track record. Wow he pressed. Even Tardozzi made gestures of being amazed by what he had seen. Bagnaia smiled. He endorsed four tenths to the next one. Marc Márquez and Quartararo passed. In the second part of the grid there will be: 13. Raúl Fernández, 14. Bastianini, 15. Marini, 16. Morbidelli, 17. Toprak Razgatlioglu, 18. Moreira, 19. Miller, 20. Aldeguer, 21. Binder and 22. Folger.
At the start of Q2, Marc kept the same tires… and followed Álex on the train. His times were not very good.
Acosta set a time… and went long, through the dirt at the end of the straight. He got up carefully, but Zarco was fined a thousand euros for something similar. Then, Pedro ran into Di Giannantonio, who cut him off. The commissioners opened an investigation, but there was no sanction.
When stopping to change tires, Bezzecchi was first, with ‘Diggia’ second, ahead of Martín, Mir, Ogura and Marc. Bagnaia did not have a set time.
Upon returning, the man from Lleida returned after Pecco, although leaving him his space. Logically, it already had fresh new soft tires.
Marc stood in front. ‘Diggia’, behind, was 53 thousandths behind. Álex crashed in turns 3-4; He was able to pick up his motorcycle and continue.
In the subsequent turn, Di Giannantonio passed the eldest Márquez, who was startled. Nothing was decided. Ogura and Bezzecchi touched him, but Bagnaia was the one who beat his teammate, by 12 thousandths and thanks to an excellent final sector.
Marc aborted his last attempts. The ones who could surpass him were ‘Diggia’ and Quartararo, but they lost in the end. Of course, the one from VR46 met Pecco. The judges did not see the action as punishable, so pole position went to Bagnaia.
