Dani Pedrosa on Pole for Catalan MotoGP as Marc Marquez Crashes in Q2
Dani Pedrosa took a stunning pole position in the heat haze of the Catalan GP, storming clear of the field by three tenths to return to the top for the second time this year.
Compatriot Jorge Lorenzo shot into second for his first front row start in red – after also proving second fastest on Friday – as two of the home heroes led the charge. Third was an incredible front row for Mugello podium finisher Danilo Petrucci, as the Italian kept his momentum from a stunning home race last time out.
Marc Marquez was one of the key headline makers, as the reigning Champion will head the second row but suffered a spate of crashes on Saturday. His final fall in Q2 took him out of contention for pole, with Marquez looking to wipe the slate clean overnight before trying to hunt down the win.
The sun shone more on Aleix Espargaro in fifth as his impressive pace from the morning continued into Q2, with another home hero just behind him in seventh – Reale Avintia Racing’s Hector Barbera.
Mugello winner Andrea Dovizioso heads up row three, ahead of Q1 graduates Jonas Folger and Maverick Viñales in a tough day for the Yamaha machines.
Alvaro Bautista completed the top ten and was another multiple crasher on Saturday, with Scott Redding and Andrea Iannone in P11 and P12 respectively.
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